Ibadan, 28 February 2025. – Astroscale Japan, a subsidiary of Astroscale Holdings Inc., has won a 7.27 billion yen (USD 48.5 million) contract from Japan’s Ministry of Defense to develop a responsive space system demonstration satellite prototype.
The project, from March 2025 to March 2028, includes developing and testing a proto-flight model for a small geostationary demonstration satellite. In the launch and operations phases, which a separate contract will manage, the satellite will demonstrate technologies to advance space domain awareness (SDA), space surveillance, intelligence gathering and space operations capabilities.
The project represents Astroscale Japan’s entry into the security and defense sector, as nations seek to monitor threats and deter space adversaries. Defense sectors worldwide increasingly recognize the value of on-orbit servicing and RPO in securing satellite operations. As a result, Astroscale Japan will contribute to strengthening the Ministry of Defense and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s SDA capabilities by developing a responsive space system prototype.
Furthermore, a future on-orbit demonstration will aim to enhance autonomous and agile satellite operations and space environment monitoring capabilities, while bolstering the safety and sustainability of Japan’s space operations.
“This contract marks a significant milestone as Astroscale Japan expands into the security and defense sector,” said Eddie Kato, managing director of Astroscale Japan. “Alongside our existing government and commercial business, we have established a third pillar of our operations. By leveraging our heritage in rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) technologies, we will adapt our capabilities to the unique requirements of this sector.”
Designed specifically for RPO and observation in geostationary orbit, this project will consequently leverage Astroscale Japan’s heritage RPO technologies for a highly maneuverable and compact satellite, compared to traditionally large SDA satellites.
