ArkEdge Space Inc. has been selected as developer and manufacturer of an ultra-compact spacecraft for the comet exploration mission "Comet Interceptor"
ArkEdge Space Inc. (Headquarters : Koto-ku, Tokyo, CEO: Fukuyo Takayoshi), which promotes a wide range of missions such as earth orbit constellations using microsatellites and deep space exploration, is a commercial research and development company. We are pleased to inform you that we have been selected by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) as a system developer and manufacturer of an ultra-small probe for the comet exploration mission "Comet Interceptor".
The Comet Interceptor is the first human mission to directly explore a "long-period comet" that retains the primitive characteristics of the early days of the formation of the solar system. Two scientific themes promoted by the solar system science community are: (1) understanding the formation of habitable environments in the solar system, and (2) elucidation of universal laws governing cosmic gases. These issues have not been satisfactorily explained in previous astronomical space missions. It is expected that we will obtain important new knowledge for these two themes with Comet Interceptor.
The Comet Interceptor is a joint mission between the European Space Agency (ESA) and JAXA. It is scheduled to be launched in 2029. It consists of one parent unit (Probe A) and two child units (Probe B1 and Probe B2) and JAXA will provide Probe B1. After launch, while waiting at the Lagrangian point (L2 point) in the Sun-Earth system, simultaneous multi-point flyby observations with the mother and child units will be performed in accordance with the arrival of the comet to be observed. This mission will enable low-cost and challenging exploration missions by utilizing the two child spacecraft. As well, it will demonstrate how micro space probes can be used for the exploration of the solar system.
This is the first time that a space start-up company has been selected as a developer and manufacturer of the system for JAXA's deep space exploration mission. We will make full use of the microsatellite technology ArkEdge Space has cultivated so far to contribute to the first direct exploration mission of a long-period comet.
Future Plans
ArkEdge Space will proceed with the development of the Comet Interceptor ultra-compact spacecraft for delivery to ESA in 2026. The launch is scheduled for 2029. Furthermore, ArkEdge Space will challenge the cutting edge of humanity with the world's most advanced microsatellites by contributing to the exploration of the moon and of deep space.
Image of Comet Interceptor Probe B1
About ArkEdge Space Inc.
ArkEdge Space was founded in 2018 with the aim of commercializing the microsatellite development technology and utilization technology cultivated at the University of Tokyo. Currently, we have built a production system for multiple types of satellites centered on microsatellites. In addition to the hardware business such as building microsatellites, ground station maintenance, and design and production of related parts, we also provide satellite operation services. We are developing a wide range of businesses such as provisioning, related software development, education and consulting.
So far, we have a track record of supplying satellites overseas, such as providing the Rwandan satellite "RWASAT-1" to the Rwandan Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA). In addition, since last fiscal year, we have been selected as one of the consignees of JAXA's "Investigation on 'positioning and communication technology development for lunar activities'". We are proceeding with the technical review.
In the future, we will realize the construction of artificial satellite constellations that support “IoT” communication, earth observation, ocean VDES, etc. We expect to contribute to a wide range of missions such as satellite constellation construction for lunar activities and deep space exploration. We will work on the development and demonstration of satellites.