INNOVATIVE SPACE CARRIER INC. (HEADQUARTERED IN CHUO-KU, TOKYO; PRESIDENT AND CEO: KOJIRO HATADA; HEREINAFTER "ISC") AND ASAHI KASEI CORPORATION (HEADQUARTERED IN CHIYODA-KU, TOKYO; PRESIDENT AND CEO: KOSHIRO KUDO; HEREINAFTER "ASAHI KASEI") HAVE SIGNED A COMPREHENSIVE COLLABORATION AGREEMENT LAST DECEMBER TO PROMOTE ACTIVITIES TO REALIZE THE NEXT GENERATION SPACE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM. (HEADQUARTERED IN CHIYODA-KU, TOKYO; KOSHIRO KUDO, CEO; HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS "ASAHI KASEI") SIGNED A COMPREHENSIVE COLLABORATION AGREEMENT LAST DECEMBER TO PROMOTE ACTIVITIES TOWARD THE REALIZATION OF NEXT-GENERATION SPACE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS.

Alliance Accelerates Early Realization of Next-Generation Space Transportation Systems

In recent years, demand for rockets to transport satellites and other payloads has been increasing worldwide in line with the growing demand for space-based communications, data utilization services, and other services. However, domestic rocket supply and launch capacity is insufficient to meet the growing demand, and the development of private domestic rockets is a particularly urgent issue.

ISC IS "A WORLD WHERE PEOPLE AND CARGO ARE DELIVERED EVERY DAY. ISC IS A START-UP COMPANY THAT AIMS TO DEVELOP NEXT-GENERATION TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS THAT ENABLE REUSABILITY IN SPACE. ISC AIMS TO DEVELOP A ROCKET FOR SATELLITE REUSABLE BY MARCH 2028, AND HAS BEEN SELECTED FOR THE SBIR PHASE 3 PROJECT BY THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, CULTURE, SPORTS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OF JAPAN.

Asahi Kasei possesses know-how, facilities, and equipment related to design, manufacturing, and evaluation technologies for solid fuel propulsion systems*. In order to solve the above issues, Asahi Kasei has started to study and verify business and services related to space transportation from 2025 by newly applying its technologies and facilities in the field of space transportation.

THE ISC, WHICH AIMS TO COMMERCIALIZE INNOVATIVE SPACE TRANSPORTATION, AND ASAHI KASEI, WHICH HAS KNOWLEDGE, FACILITIES, AND EQUIPMENT RELATED TO PROPULSION SYSTEMS, HAVE CONCLUDED A COMPREHENSIVE COLLABORATION AGREEMENT BASED ON THE JUDGMENT THAT COLLABORATION WILL ACCELERATE THE EARLY REALIZATION OF NEXT-GENERATION SPACE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS.

Outline of the Comprehensive Collaborative Agreement

ISC and Asahi Kasei will collaborate and cooperate on the following matters

(1) Rocket engine development using Asahi Kasei's facilities and equipment
Regarding the development of rocket engines required for the space transportation system that ISC aims to realize, Asahi Kasei will conduct tests and studies using its propulsion system manufacturing technology and evaluation facility (Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture). The first test for the development of ISC's rocket engine has already been conducted in January 2025.

(2) Study the possibility of other technological cooperation
To realize the next generation space transportation system, we will study the possibility of cooperation to integrate the technologies of both companies in areas other than rocket engine development.

Comments from each company

Innovative Space Carrier Inc.
Although we are a venture company founded in May 2022, we are currently collaborating with more than 40 companies, organizations, and research institutes in Japan. Collaboration with companies with proven track records is key to achieving high-frequency space transportation using reusable launch vehicles at an early date. We will work with and humbly learn from our partners with cutting-edge knowledge, dramatically increase the speed of development, establish space transportation technology that can compete globally, and grow Japan's space industry!"

Hideyuki Yamagishi, Senior Managing Executive Officer and General Manager, Life Innovation Business Division, Asahi Kasei Corporation
Hideyuki Yamagishi, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Life Innovation Business Division, Asahi Kasei Corporation, said, "Asahi Kasei is committed to creating new value by broadly applying the propulsion system technology and evaluation know-how we have cultivated over many years to the field of space transportation. We are very pleased to collaborate with ISC to further accelerate the development of space transportation solutions that meet stringent requirements in terms of reliability and cost. We will continue to strengthen our collaboration with various space-related business partners and contribute to the development of the space transportation industry by providing innovative technologies and services."

Propulsion system: A power unit used to propel an object forward, such as a rocket or spacecraft. Propulsion is generated by burning fuel and injecting the hot, high-pressure gas generated backward. There are mainly liquid fuel, solid fuel, or a hybrid system combining both, each with different characteristics and applications.

■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://hrmos.co/pages/innovative-space-carrier/jobs

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