Project Example | YUKI Precision Co., Ltd.

ELSA-d Capture mechanism

ELSA-d is the world's first space debris removal demonstration satellite that demonstrates a series of core technologies related to space debris removal.
It consists of a "capture machine" and a "simulated debris".
Launched from the Kazakhstan Standby Konur Space Station on March 23, 2021, and successfully demonstrated the capture of simulated debris in orbit on August 26.
Yuki Precision designed and manufactured the capture mechanism.

Category	Contract
Clients	ASTROSCALE PTE. LTD.
Duration	2017 – 2020
Assignment	Design / Manufacture / Test Support

Thruster Unit

"Thruster unit using low toxic monopropellant for use in small satellites. Currently in joint development with vale maker Takasago Electric, Inc. [2019]. Goal is to produce a compact component as a domestic solution for reduction of R&D and costs for Japanese satellite makers.
*Research subsidized from National Research and Development Agency New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization [NEDO]."

Category	In-House
Duration	2018 -
Assignment	Design / Manufacture / Assembly

World's Smallest Hand Spinner

Assisted in production of the world's smallest hand spinner using Minebea's world's smallest ball bearing of 1.5mm. YUKI Precision designed, produced and assembled the hand spinner wings. The challenge was to achieve the record small size while balancing strength to withstand rotational forces involved in spinning.

Category	Contract
Clients	MinebeaMitsumi Inc.
Duration	2017/6 - 2017/12
Assignment	Design / Manufacture / Assembly

Injector for Rocket

Original hypothetical bi-propellant rocket injector, demonstrating our design and machining technologies. Design points include weight reduction as well as reduction of weld structure for strength and reliability along with feasibility of machining processes. Made of Inconel with 56 holes of 0.4mm, 1mm, 2mm. To achieve efficient flow channels within a small space, fine deep holes were necessary to be drilled, with the longest being 2mm diameter at 30mm depth.

Category	Joint R&D
Clients	News Digest Publishing Co., Ltd.
Duration	2017/1 - 2017/10
Assignment	Design / Precision Machining

Tanpopo Mission

The Tanpopo Mission is to assess the panspermia hypothesis and the possibility of natural interplanetary transport of microbial life and possible terrestrial particles in the low Earth orbit. YUKI Precision was tasked to produce the enclosure for the aero gel of the "Capture Panel" pictured here. The Capture Panel was exposed at the Exposed Facility [ExHAM] located on the exterior of the Japanese Kibo module of the ISS.

Category	Contract
Clients	JAXA ISAS / Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences
Duration	2015/5 - 2018
Assignment	Precision Machining

HTV Small Re-entry Capsule Nozzle

Thruster nozzle for RCS system using EBM additive process and precision machining technology. Additive manufacturing technologies are becoming important in the space industry and challenges include surface roughness and precision. Valve interface and nozzle machined for precision. YUKI Precision applied precision machining technology after AM to realize the needed specifications. Research done under grant from METI. The HTV Small Re-entry Capsule successfully returned to earth from the ISS in fall of 2018, utilizes nozzles based upon this research.

Category	Joint R&D
Clients	JAXA Research and Development Directorate
Duration	2013/4 - 2016/4
Assignment	Precision Machining

RICE MAPPING

Technological assistance for “RICE MAPPING” exhibit at TOKYO DESIGNERS WEEK in MILANO 2015 held in Milan, Italy. Showcases Japanese technology in the form of drilling a 0.3mm hole in a grain of rice to thread a 0.02mm tungsten wire through. Video of Japan was projected on the floating grain of rice of just 5mm in height.

Category	Joint R&D
Clients	Drill Inc.
Duration	2015/2 - 2015/4
Assignment	Precision Machining

Tourbillon

Joint project with Hajime Asaoka, an independent watchmaker representing Japan, and OSG Corporation, precision tool maker. With the passionate desire to create a world-class watch from Japan, this watch features a uniquely original designed tourbillion, a super-complex mechanism, with over 130 parts precision machined.

Category	Joint R&D
Clients	HAJIME ASAOKA
Duration	2012 -
Assignment	Planning / Precision Machining

ARTSAT2 DESPATCH

"ARTSAT: Satellite Art Project" defines satellites orbiting the earth and spacecrafts introduced into the deep space as "media that connects the universe and the earth". This is a joint art experiment developed with Tama Art University and the University of Tokyo. DESPATCH is a spacecraft with a spiral cone produced by 3D printing, footprint within about 50cm square and a weight of about 32kg. Launched on December 3, 2014, aboard the H-IIA as a small secondary payload to the main Hayabusa satellite. SOLIZE Co., Ltd. [3D printer modeling department] and Nishi Musen Kenkyusyo Co., Ltd. [radio equipment] participated as project members. YUKI Precision participated in design and manufacture of structural components.

Category	Contract
Clients	Tama Art University / The University of Tokyo
Duration	2013 -
Assignment	Design / Manufacture

LUNAR DREAM CAPSULE PROJECT

A joint project of private companies for children to experience moon and space as a familiar world, the challenge is reaching the moon 380,000km away. The "LUNAR DREAM CAPSULE PROJECT” is to be sent to the moon as a time capsule, contains Pocari Sweat powder as a symbol of “water” that is important to humanity, along with dreams gathered from children around the world. YUKI Precision designed and manufactured the dream capsule.

Category	Contract
Clients	ASTROSCALE PTE. LTD.
Duration	2014 -
Assignment	Design / Manufacture

WNISAT-1

WNISAT-1 is a micro satellite with a mass of 10kg for the purpose of observing sea ice in the Arctic Ocean. It is equipped with blue, green, and red visible light camera and near-infrared light camera to observe the state of sea ice in the Arctic Ocean at high frequency. The observation results will be used by Weathernews to predict the distribution of sea ice and contribute to the safe navigation of ships passing through the Arctic Ocean. YUKI Precision helped in advice of structural design and structure production.

Category	Contract
Clients	Axelspace Corporation
Duration	2012 - 2013
Assignment	Design Assistance / Manufacture

Satellite Thruster Test Bench

Test bench to measure thrust of thruster rockets of satellites. The equipment can be calibrated remotely from outside the vacuum chamber. Used in testing many types of prototype propulsion systems.

Category	Contract
Clients	JAXA Research and Development Directorate
Duration	2009 -
Assignment	Design / Manufacture

Cluster Nozzle

Thruster nozzle developed by Propulsion Research Group at JAXA. Prototype testing model designed and produced by YUKI Precision. Nozzle contours and throat diameter requiring micron precision. Pressure sensing orifices are 0.3mm in diameter. Small drill and small diameter endmill is required for precision machining.

Category	Contract
Clients	JAXA Research and Development Directorate
Duration	2008 -
Assignment	Design / Manufacture

Test bench for satellite thrusters

This test bench is used to measure the thrust of low-power thrusters. Designed for installation in a vacuum chamber, it can be calibrated without opening or closing the chamber. Manufactured to measure the thrust of a thruster developed with the support of NEDO, New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization.

Category	Contract
Duration	2019
Assignment	Design / Manufacture

Small collection capsule on board the HTV

Small collection capsule aboard the HTV is designed to retrieve samples from scientific experiments on the ISS, using a re-entry vehicle. We were responsible for designing and manufacturing the experimental propulsion system for this small collection capsule.
The tank, housing and piping were designed to fit the size of the small ISS collection capsule, which was recovered in autumn 2018. The capsule's attitude control nozzle was manufactured using a metal 3D printer and machined where very high precision was required. For more information, see the case study "HTV Small Re-entry Capsule Nozzle."

Category	Joint R&D
Clients	JAXA Research and Development Directorate
Duration	2020 - 2021
Assignment	Design / Manufacture

Propellant supply system

This propellant supply system was developed under the auspices of NEDO, New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization. Dedicated to experimental use, its various components - aluminum frames, flowmeters, contacts and valves - are resistant to chemicals. We have developed a number of innovations in its design, notably to prevent air bubbles from entering the tank when it is filled with chemicals, and to prevent explosions in the event of a chemical reaction.

Category	In-House
Duration	2019
Assignment	Design / Manufacture

Development of a dummy payload for an innovative aerospace program

This project was commissioned by a customer in the space sector. The aim is to design, manufacture and test the vibrations of a dummy payload as part of an innovative satellite demonstration program. A fictitious payload for a satellite is an alternative mass, used in the event that the planned satellite cannot be loaded onto the launch rocket. The material is resistant to rust and outgassing. It is designed to resist vibration during rocket launch, and to have a variable center of gravity to accommodate multiple satellites.

Category	Contract
Duration	2017 - 2018
Assignment	Design / Manufacture / Test Support

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