INNOVATIVE SPACE CARRIER INC.(CHUO-KU, TOKYO; CEO; KOJIRO HATADA, HEREAFTER REFERRED TO AS "ISC") IS "A WORLD WHERE PEOPLE AND CARGO ARE DELIVERED EVERY DAY. WE ARE A START-UP COMPANY THAT AIMS TO REALIZE A TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM THAT MAKES SPACE POSSIBLE. ( REUSABLE) IS A START-UP COMPANY THAT AIMS TO REALIZE A TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM THAT MAKES SPACE POSSIBLE.
ISC has now started a takeoff and landing test (mission name: "ASCA hopper") of a rocket designed for space reusable.
The test was conceived in November 2023, and development of the test rocket, ASCA hopper, has been underway since January 2024. Normally, even early-stage rocket launch tests proceed on a yearly development and testing schedule, but ISC is proceeding with development in an agile fashion and will begin testing at an exceptional speed.
BASED ON THE RESULTS OF THE TEST, ISC AIMS TO DEVELOP THE SMALL SATELLITE LAUNCH VEHICLE "ASCA ONE" AFTER NEXT YEAR AND THE HUMANTRANSPORT VEHICLE "ASCA TWO" IN THE EARLY 2030S.
Please also refer to the special website for details on the "ASCA hopper" mission.
https://innovative-space-carrier.co.jp/asca-hopper.html
Overview of the "ASCA hopper" mission
The "ASCA hopper" mission is the first test for the ASCA Project.
The test involved the development of a small takeoff and landing test aircraft, the ASCA hopper, to confirm the three elements of rocket engine combustion, airframe takeoff and landing, and inspection and maintenance necessary for re-use.
THE OBJECTIVE IS TO IDENTIFY ISSUES RELATED TO REUSABILITY, MAINTAINABILITY, AND OPERABILITY OF REUSABLE LAUNCH VEHICLES AND TO ACQUIRE THE CAPABILITY TO DEVELOP REUSABLE LAUNCH VEHICLES PRIOR TO THE SUBSEQUENT DEVELOPMENT OF THE ACTUAL SMALL SATELLITE LAUNCHER "ASCA 1" AND THE HUMANSPACE TRANSPORTATION VEHICLE "ASCA 2".
Features of the "ASCA hopper" mission
1. A startup that has been in business for two years. Unprecedented development speed by "agile development
ROCKET FLIGHT TESTS USUALLY PROCEED ON A YEARLY DEVELOPMENT AND TEST SCHEDULE, EVEN IN THE EARLY STAGES. ON THE OTHER HAND, ISC IS A TWO-YEAR OLD STARTUP, YET IT EMBARKS ON A MISSION AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY SEVEN MONTHS (FROM THE START OF DEVELOPMENT TO THE EXECUTION OF ENGINE COMBUSTION TESTS).
This exceptional development speed is achieved by incorporating an agile development system and organizational structure. For example, in the development of the test rocket "ASCA hopper," the development period was significantly shortened by proactively incorporating existing technologies and components as needed.
In terms of human resources, we do not rely solely on our own employees to provide development staff, but also form development teams by gathering specialists through business alliances with domestic companies in the aviation industry and telecommunications technology companies.
THUS, WHILE IN-HOUSE DEVELOPMENT AND SELF-COMPLETION HAVE BEEN THE GENERAL DEVELOPMENT PROCESS FOR PRIVATE SPACE DEVELOPMENT COMPANIES IN JAPAN IN THE PAST, ISC IS MOVING FORWARD WITH PROJECTS AT AN EXCEPTIONAL SPEED THANKS TO AN ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE UNIQUE TO A STARTUP.
2. Acquire development capabilities in stages based on the "P4SD" research and development platform
WHILE THE PRODUCT ITSELF TO BE DEVELOPED IS IMPORTANT, THE "DEVELOPMENT CAPABILITY" TO SPEEDILY PLAN, DESIGN, MANUFACTURE, AND TEST PRODUCTS THAT MEET THE MISSION TO BE CARRIED OUT IS AN IMPORTANT ASSET OVER THE MEDIUM TO LONG TERM. WE ARE STRIVING TO IMPROVE OUR DEVELOPMENT CAPABILITIES BASED ON OUR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PLATFORM, P4SD.
For example, rocket engines are complex systems that take a long time to develop and require large amounts of money, but ISC is first developing small-scale gas-pressure-driven rocket engines through the "ASCA hopper" mission.
By adopting a gas-pressurized drive system that eliminates the need for a turbo pump, which is the most challenging aspect of rocket engine development, we will build up engine development capabilities at the system level at an early stage. Subsequently, we will work in stages to improve performance, propulsion, and size and weight reduction through the development of turbo pumps.
Furthermore, through collaboration with domestic and overseas partners who already have experience in development, we are pursuing a strategy to increase the technological maturity level of technologies other than rocket engines and to improve the development capability of the entire rocket system.
We will improve the development capability of the entire launch vehicle system based on the results obtained through the "ASCA hopper" mission, and steadily realize the development of the small satellite launch vehicle "ASCA 1", which is scheduled to be tested from next year, and the transport vehicle "ASCA 2", which will be tested in the early 2030s ( human). We will steadily realize the development of "ASCA 1," a small satellite launch vehicle scheduled for testing from next year, and "ASCA 2," a transport vehicle scheduled for testing in the early 2030s.
ASCA hopper" Mission" Future Test Schedule
September 2024: Electrical system (avionics) bonding test
The system-level verification will be conducted by combining the electrical components that control the takeoff and landing of the "ASCA hoper".
These electrical components will be linked to the future development of the "ASCA 1 series" small satellite launcher, which can also be used.
October 2024: Rocket engine integrated combustion test
Combustion tests are conducted using a combination of electrical equipment that controls the aircraft as well as the engine.
The combustion status will be checked under simulated flight conditions by controlling the engine using actual flight control equipment and control methods.
December 2024: Landing leg drop test
The landing legs of the "ASCA hopper" will be subjected to impact tests that simulate the drop conditions of an actual flight.
These tests will be compared and evaluated not only with the "ASCA hopper" but also with the results of prior analysis, and will be fed back into the design of the "ASCA 1 series" for future development.
Next year onwards: Ground takeoff and landing tests
The main test of the "ASCA hopper" mission.
The "ASCA hopper," a small rocket for takeoff and landing tests, will be actually launched and landed to identify issues for reusable operations. The launch altitude is expected to be approximately 10 meters.
Innovative Space Carrier Inc. CEO Kojiro Hatada Comment
In order to realize our goal of "space transportation as a matter of course," i.e., a world of high frequency space transportation, we need to build technologies to operate reusable launch vehicles reliably.
In the conventional waterfall development process, product development takes a long time and verification at the system level takes a backseat. From the viewpoint of acquiring development capability quickly, we have launched the "ASCA hopper" mission, a small takeoff and landing test vehicle, and are working to form a team to plan and execute the entire rocket airframe system and to develop partners. We are already beginning to see various issues and are realizing that ISC's development capabilities are increasing.
Through the "ASCA hopper" mission, we will continue to contribute to the promotion of Japan's space industry by bringing together superior technologies from Japan and abroad, leading to the development of the "ASCA 1" series of small satellite launchers.
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We want to go to space from Japan.
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Create new industries with an eye on the future.
Let's do a job worth challenging with our life.
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