About Dr Kazuhiko Yamada

Dr. Kazuhiko Yamada is an associate professor at the Department of Space Flight Systems, Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. He is an engineer and a researcher on high-speed aerodynamics, especially atmospheric technology.

He received his Ph.D. in Engineering from The University of Tokyo in 2004. And he started working in JAXA/ISAS in 2004. At first, he worked in JAXA as a project researcher of a scientific balloon center, for three years. In this job, he worked to develop an advanced balloon system or a recovery system using a parafoil.

Next, he became assistant professor in ISAS in 2008, and commenced his present role in 2017. His present focus is various re-entry technologies, from conventional sample return capsule to innovative inflatable decelerator. He led several flight tests of a new atmospheric-entry capsule using a scientific balloon, sounding rocket and nano-satellite. And he is working to plan several future planetary exploration missions from the aspect of atmospheric entry technology.

Additionally, he was a member of the recovery team of HAYABUSA in 2010 and HAYABUSA-2 in 2020. He contributed to the successful recovery operations in Australia.