{"id":33974,"date":"2015-10-28T15:38:36","date_gmt":"2015-10-28T06:38:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.waseda.jp\/top\/en\/?p=33974"},"modified":"2015-11-18T09:32:02","modified_gmt":"2015-11-18T00:32:02","slug":"waseda-frontline-research-vol-5-part-3-a-new-challenge-to-solve-the-mysteries-of-the-universe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.waseda.jp\/top\/en\/news\/33974","title":{"rendered":"Waseda Frontline Research Vol. 5, Part 3 – A new challenge to solve the mysteries of the universe"},"content":{"rendered":"

Physicist and cosmic rays specialist\u00a0Professor Shoji Torii
\nWaseda Research Institute for Science and Engineering
\nDirector of WASEDA Institute for Space Science Observation System
\nRepresentative of CALET Project<\/h3>\n

Towards the future created by CALET<\/b><\/b><\/h2>\n

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In August 2015, the Tanegashima Space Center launched the H-II Transfer Vehicle Kounotori 5. Kounotori is a spacecraft constructed to deliver necessary commodities such as water, food, and clothing as well as various devices and equipment to astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS). One of these devices is an experimental unit that is garnering worldwide attention. It is called the \u201cCALorimetric Electron Telescope (CALET).\u201d As CALET has launched into space and will soon begin conducting experiments, we took this opportunity to speak with Professor Shoji Torii from Waseda\u2019s Research Institute for Science and Engineering to shed light on the CALET and its great potential.<\/p>\n

(Interview Date: September 10, 2015)<\/strong><\/p>\n

CALET project<\/b><\/h3>\n

CALET is a development research project for observing cosmic rays on the extravehicular experimental platform of the International Space Station (ISS) Japanese Experiment Module. It is designed to systematically identify high-energy phenomena and detect dark matter in space.<\/p>\n

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Kounotori 5 with the Earth in the background (Source: (C) Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA))<\/p><\/div>\n

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Relocation from the exposed palette of the CALorimetric Electron Telescope (CALET) to the extravehicular experimental platform (Source: (C) Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA))
* CALET is in the right of the center.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Relocation from the exposed palette of the CALorimetric Electron Telescope (CALET) to the extravehicular experimental platform (Source: (C) Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA))
* CALET is in the right of the center.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Keeping an eye on all aspects of the project<\/b><\/h3>\n

The CALET project is a joint project between an international joint research team made up of multiple domestic and international universities and research institutes in Japan as well as the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Waseda University is the host institute of CALET and I am the project\u2019s representative. While managing about 80 international joint research members at home and abroad, I had a variety of experiences that extend beyond the research itself.<\/p>\n

Over the course of the project, our research team proposed what actions to take and what equipment would be necessary to JAXA. Another important responsibility of mine is securing the budget and deploying people efficiently.<\/p>\n

Unlike with our own development, any equipment produced must be tested during its development. To that end, it is important to communicate with the examiner and the manufacturer. It is very difficult to assess CALET\u2019s development, because it will be the first to perform observations of its kind. Another task of ours is to decide when development is complete. We must continuously analyze data into the future. In other words, it is necessary to keep an eye on every aspect from development to observation. The project is very tough and requires me to demonstrate my abilities to the fullest.<\/p>\n

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Participating institutions in the CALET project<\/p><\/div>\n

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Since I was a child, I have always been fascinated with the mysteries of the universe \u2013 how the universe will come to an end, or how the universe came into existence. As a researcher, I am very happy to have had such an interest in the universe that has motivated me to participate in this project.<\/p>\n

Until observation data is analyzed, we cannot be certain what results this research will bring. However, I am very excited to consider the possibility that the great mysteries of the universe will be solved.<\/p>\n

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During the interview Professor Torii gives an in-depth explanation at Waseda University<\/p><\/div>\n

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Researcher Ozawa explains the CALET model at Waseda University<\/p><\/div>\n

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Carefully written experiment notes at Waseda University<\/p><\/div>\n

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Researchers operate analysis equipment at Waseda University<\/p><\/div>\n

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During analysis [1] at Waseda University<\/p><\/div>\n

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During analysis [2] at Waseda University<\/p><\/div>\n

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Researcher Ozawa gives an enthusiastic explanation of the equipment at Waseda University<\/p><\/div>\n

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Professor Torii explains a model to students in the laboratory at Waseda University<\/p><\/div>\n

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Kikuicho Campus of Waseda University, where Torii Laboratory is located<\/p><\/div>\n

Part one<\/a>
\nPart two<\/a><\/p>\n

Profile<\/h5>\n

\"\u30d7\u30ed\u30d5\u5199\u771f\"<\/p>\n

Professor Shoji Torii graduated from Kyoto University\u2019s Faculty of Science in 1972. He completed the doctoral program at Kyoto University\u2019s Graduate School of Science without a degree in 1997 and obtained a Doctorate of Science at Kyoto University in 1978. Torii became an incentive researcher at the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (Institute for Cosmic Ray Research, the University of Tokyo) in 1977, a researcher at Tokyo University\u2019s Institute for Cosmic Ray Research in 1979, and a research associate at Utah State University\u2019s Faculty of Physics. Torii became an assistant, instructor, Associate Professor and Professor at Kanagawa University\u2019s Faculty of Engineering in 1983. He became a Professor of Waseda University\u2019s School of Science and Engineering in 2004. He currently serves as Professor at the Waseda Research Institute for Science and Engineering, Director of WASEDA Institute for Space Science Observation System, and representative of the CALET project. He is an expert on the physics of cosmic rays and was\u00a0Commissioner of the Japan Physical Society (61st and 62nd periods).<\/p>\n

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Website\/Video Site<\/h5>\n

Torii Laboratory, Waseda University Research Institute for Science and Engineering<\/a><\/p>\n

CALET \u2013 CALorimetric Electron Telescope website<\/a><\/p>\n

Video of CALET upon space station Kibo<\/a><\/p>\n

Recent News<\/h5>\n

On the hunt for dark matter – International Space Station Kibo to be equipped with new observation device<\/a><\/p>\n

Japanese space research and development on International Space Station<\/a><\/p>\n

Recent Research<\/span><\/h5>\n