Innovative Space Carrier Inc.is a start-up company with a vision of " Creating an era when everyone has access to space" and aims to realize a transportation system that makes space reusablepossible. In the course of the study, we proposed our business idea to JAXA's Announcement of Opportunity (AO) for the co-creation of a concept for a "high frequency reusableflight type space transportation system," and as a result, we reached an agreement on the content of the co-creation through preliminary dialogues. As a result, we have reached an agreement on the content of the co-creation through preliminary dialogue, and will conduct co-creation activities on December 5, 2022, after signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU).
The MOU is a three-company agreement, including Space Transit Corporation (headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Tomohiro Noda), which aims to develop a single-stage space reusablevehicle, as well as MHI. Since it is difficult for a single company to complete the realization of a high-frequency reusablespace flight system alone, MHI has decided to accelerate the study in cooperation with various companies and universities, and has already been engaged in joint studies with Space Transit Corporation.
Through this co-creation activity, we will identify technical issues necessary to realize a single stage, fully reusable space reusablevehicle (SSTO; Single Stage To Orbit), and after examining drastic cost reduction and humanspace transportation technologies, we will accelerate the examination of business plans and technical issues including the provision of future ideal space transportation services such as point-to-point (P2P) transportation and space travel. After examining space transportation technologies, we will accelerate the examination of business plans and technological issues, including the provision of future space transportation services such as point-to-point (P2P) and space travel.
■ Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Co-Creation of a Business Concept for a High-Frequency Return Flight Space Transportation System under the "Innovative Research and Development Program for Future Space Transportation Systems"
(1) Purpose of the MOU
(2) The purpose of the MOU is to promote efforts toward the realization of a space transportation system that aims to secure a large future market for private sector missions such as space travel with passenger flights and high-speed transportation between two points, etc. In order to smoothly implement co-creation activities, the MOU defines the implementation details and defines the roles and obligations of the parties involved.
(2) Theme of co-creation activities
Study for realization of high frequency reusabletype space transportation system
(3) Objectives of Co-Creation Activities
1. Promote technical studies, including system concepts, to realize business ideas (business models) for space transportation systems
2. Reflect important technical issues identified through technical studies in JAXA's " TECHNOLOGIES"
3. Promote the private sector-led study of business models and space transportation systems and JAXA-supported research and development on key technology issues in an integrated manner toward the realization of a space transportation system business.
(4) Contents of co-creation activities
1. Study and elaborate "business ideas (business models)" of space transportation systems for high frequency reusableflights targeting markets such as space travel and high-speed transportation between two points
2. Study and elaborate technologies for "space transportation system concepts" to realize the business ideas (business models)
3. Identification of technologies required to realize the space transportation system based on the business idea (business model) and identification and study of technological issues that require new research and development
4. Identification of common "technological issues" between the "space transportation system" to be developed by the private sector and the "space transportation system for the development of the main launch vehicle" to be studied by JAXA 5. Identification of "technical issues" common to the "space transportation system" to be developed by the private sector and the "space transportation system for the development of the core launch vehicle" to be studied by JAXA.
5.
(5) Period of co-creation activities: From the date of conclusion of this MOU to March 31, 2023
(6) Initiatives to be undertaken by the project sponsor
1. Review and materialization of "business idea (business model)", "space transportation system concept", "technical issues", etc.
2. Organization of JAXA support items necessary to realize the above project
3. Compilation of results related to the co-creation activities
(7) Efforts by JAXA
1. Support for business ideas and their materialization by the business
2. Review and support based on the results of JAXA's support by the business
3. Support for compilation of results related to the co-creation activities
... and upwards
■Outline of the partner company
Corporate name: Space Transit K.K.
English name: Space Transit Inc.
Representative CEOTomohiro Noda
Head office: 15-2 Rokubancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Established: September 2021
Capital: 10 million yen
Business: Single stage space using new hydrogen rocket engine reusableDevelopment of aircraft (rockets) etc.
URL https://space-transit.com
■Related URL
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Signs Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on business concept co-creation with private companies
URL https://aerospacebiz.jaxa.jp/topics/news/koubo-20221205_ao/