INNOVATIVE SPACE CARRIER INC.(CHUO-KU, TOKYO; CEOKOJIRO HATADA), A START-UP COMPANY THAT AIMS TO REALIZE A TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM THAT MAKES SPACE REUSABLEPOSSIBLE, HAS PASSED THE STAGE GATE SCREENING OF THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, CULTURE, SPORTS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY'S SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISE INNOVATION PROMOTION PROJECT (SBIR PHASE 3) IN THE SPACE FIELD (PROJECT THEME: DEVELOPMENT AND DEMONSTRATION OF COMMERCIAL LAUNCH VEHICLES) AND WAS SELECTED FOR PHASE 2. WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE PROJECT HAS PASSED THE STAGE GATE SCREENING AND HAS BEEN SELECTED FOR PHASE 2. (ADOPTED AMOUNT: 5 BILLION YEN)

Proposal

Business plan name

Development and demonstration of a reusable space transportation system for small satellite launches

Proposal

A world where people and cargo are delivered every day. We will build a cooperative framework with our business partners as a means to establish an internationally competitive space transportation business. In order to realize this vision, we will establish a cooperative framework with business partners and develop a reusable space transportation system capable of launching satellites as a means to establish an internationally competitive space transportation business.

Specifically, a 100 kg class satellite launch vehicle will be developed through this project (TRL7 completed). The system will be reusable and upgradeable. The project will also jointly study with the partner companies on the necessary considerations for commercialization, such as improvement of maintainability and insurance for reusable operations.

Demonstration flights will be conducted through the subsidized projects, and after the subsidized projects, efforts will be made to overcome issues necessary for commercialization and to accelerate social implementation.

Summary of adopted subsidized projects

name

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, CULTURE, SPORTS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (MEXT) SME INNOVATION PROMOTION PROJECT (SBIR PHASE 3)

Purpose of the Subsidized Project

UNDER THE SBIR SYSTEM, WHICH IS DESIGNED TO PROMOTE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT BY STARTUPS ENGAGED IN INNOVATIVE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, SMOOTHLY IMPLEMENT THE RESULTS OF SUCH RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN SOCIETY UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF THE GOVERNMENT, AND PROMOTE THE CREATION OF INNOVATIONS IN JAPAN, THE GOVERNMENT WILL SUBSIDIZE ALL OR PART OF THE COSTS OF LARGE-SCALE TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS (PHASE 3 PROJECTS) TO BE IMPLEMENTED BY STARTUPS TO LEAD TO THE SOCIAL IMPLEMENTATION OF SUCH TECHNOLOGIES IN JAPAN. THE SBIR SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO PROMOTE THE SOCIAL IMPLEMENTATION OF STARTUPS' CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGIES IN JAPAN BY SUBSIDIZING ALL OR PART OF THEIR COSTS WHEN THEY CONDUCT LARGE-SCALE TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS (PHASE 3 PROJECTS) TO FACILITATE SOCIAL IMPLEMENTATION UNDER THE SBIR SYSTEM.

Background and purpose of the project theme "Development and Demonstration of Commercial Launch Vehicles

As the role of space systems in security and economic society expands, the space transportation market is expanding, with demand for more than 100 satellite launches expected in Japan alone over the next 10 years. In addition, the recent uncertainty of the international situation has further increased the demand for launches in Japan. In order to meet such launch demand and to ensure that Japan does not lose its independent means of space access, including in the future, it is essential for Japanese companies to develop and commercialize internationally competitive commercial launch vehicles.

ON THE OTHER HAND, AT THIS POINT IN TIME, JAPAN HAS YET TO DEVELOP A SPACE TRANSPORTATION BUSINESS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE CORE LAUNCH VEHICLE DEVELOPED BY THE JAPAN AEROSPACE EXPLORATION AGENCY (JAXA). IN RECENT YEARS, SEVERAL START-UP COMPANIES HAVE EMERGED TO TAKE ON THE CHALLENGE OF SPACE TRANSPORTATION, AND IT IS NOW NECESSARY TO PROVIDE FUNDING, GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT, TECHNICAL SUPPORT FROM JAXA, AND INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT FROM RELEVANT MINISTRIES AND AGENCIES TO ENCOURAGE THE COMMERCIALIZATION AND SUCCESS OF OUTSTANDING START-UP COMPANIES.

To this end, the government will support startup companies that develop and flight-demonstrate internationally competitive launch vehicles, targeting FY2027.

Assumed output

BY THE END OF FY2025, COMPLETE THE SUBSYSTEM DEVELOPMENT TEST (TRL5), WHICH INCLUDES SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT, STRUCTURAL AND MECHANICAL SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT, PROPULSION SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT, AND AVIONICS DEVELOPMENT, ETC.) THAT WILL FORM PART OF THE SPACECRAFT.

BY THE END OF FY2027, COMPLETE FABRICATION AND TESTING (TRL6), MANUFACTURING AND FLIGHT DEMONSTRATION (TRL7) OF THE ACTUAL SIZE OF THE SUBSYSTEM.

Number of cases to be adopted and amount of subsidy to be granted

■Reference Links
MEXT SBIR Phase 3 Fund (Small Business Innovation Research)
https://www.mext.go.jp/mext_02308.html

Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Press materials
https://www.mext.go.jp/b_menu/houdou/mext_01431.html

Fund Establishment (Low Carbon Investment Promotion Organization)
https://www.teitanso.or.jp/sbir-monka-hojo/

■We are actively recruiting human resources!

We want to go to space from Japan.
We take on the challenge.
Aerospace technology x Knowledge of different industries x Backcast thinking
Create new industries with an eye on the future.
Let's do work that is worth the challenge of our lives.

Click here for the employment page:
https://www.wantedly.com/companies/company_9146989

For business partnerships and other inquiries, click here
https://innovative-space-carrier.co.jp/contact/

■We are accepting "advanced applications" for space travel

Please follow this link to register.
https://forms.gle/TDc8HpdcR2zCU41t9