Commenced joint research with JAXA on "Design and Manufacture of Lightweight Airframe for Horizontal Landing Type Space Transportation System

Innovative Space Carrier Inc. ISC’s vision is “to make the world a place where people and cargo can be delivered every day, even in space. (headquartered in Chuo-ku, Tokyo, CEO: Kojiro Hatada, hereinafter referred to as “ISC”) is a start-up company that aims to realize a transportation system that enables space reusable.

 

We are pleased to announce that we have started “Research on Design and Manufacturing of Lightweight Airframe for Horizontal Landing Space Transportation System (Part 2)” as a joint research project with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

 

 

While the “horizontal landing type” has operational advantages, it is also technically challenging.

The launch and landing systems are still under consideration, but the “horizontal landing type” is considered to be a viable option because it is a superior system in terms of operation and cost, and has significant advantages in terms of future operating costs and maintainability because it can be operated using a runway.

 

On the other hand, there are not a few technical challenges, such as increased heat load on the airframe, increased weight of heat-resistant materials (e.g., tiles) and the wings themselves, and complexity of flight control. Therefore, it is important to design an airframe with a good balance between weight reduction of the airframe, reduction of heat load, and flight control.

 

 

Joint research with JAXA to materialize lightweight airframe design and manufacturing technology

Based on the ISC’s concept of a horizontal landing space transportation system, the joint research will utilize JAXA’s winged spacecraft design analysis technology to materialize design and manufacturing technology for a lightweight airframe.

 

Research Theme ：Study on Design and Manufacturing of Lightweight Airframe for Horizontal Landing Space Transportation System (Part 2)
Collaboration ：Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Research and Development Directorate, Research Unit 4
Research Period ：March 2025 – March 2026
Main Research Topics ：1. Conceptual design of lightweight airframe shape for stable flight
2. Detailed design and weight evaluation of a lightweight airframe structure
3. Summary of results

ISC has been conducting joint research with JAXA to date.

Related releases:
Two selected for JAXA’s call for research proposals (January 2024)
https://innovative-space-carrier.co.jp/en/news//20240126/

 

(Reference) ISC aims to realize a reusable takeoff and landing aircraft, ASCA 3, in the 2040s.

The ISC aims to realize the “ASCA 3” (ASCA 3), a Single Stage To Orbit (SSTO) with a payload insertion capacity of 10 tons and the ability to transport about 50 people and supplies into Earth orbit (altitude of about 400 km), by the 2040s. The project aims to achieve the following goals

■System requirements for “ASCA 3” (excerpts)
Payload capacity: Capable of placing up to 10 tons of supplies into LEO at an altitude of 400 km
Transport capacity: Transport up to about 50 personnel or equivalent supplies
Reliability: Provides the same probability of aircraft loss
Safety: Equipped with safety return function in case of an anomaly
Operability: Enables a once-a-day
Durability ：Able to withstand more than 1,000 flights subject to inspection and replacement

 

 

 

 

■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