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,announces that it has applied for the “Satellite Remote Sensing Business Upgrading Demonstration”as a representative start-up, together with Genesia Corporation and AstraSens LLC, as part of the “Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR Phase 3)” publicly solicited by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (hereinafter referred to as the “Ministry”). Ltd. and AstraSens LLC as representative startups, and Mitsubishi UFJ Bank Limited, Skymatics Corporation and Tokyo Institute of Technology as cooperating companies and universities(the Consortium).
The project submitted and adopted by the Consortium is the “Business Demonstration for the Creation of a New Space Industry through the Use of Satellites Equipped with a Camera System Integrating Medium-High Spatial Resolution and High Wavelength Resolution (hereinafter referred to as the “Project”),” and the maximum grant amount is 3.5 billion yen.
Using the advanced satellite remote sensing technology to be developed through this project, we will accelerate the use of satellite data for climate change countermeasures and ESG investment, as well as social implementation, aiming to create a new space industry through value-added space utilization.
Creating a New Space Industry by Utilizing Advanced Satellite Remote Sensing Data
In the field of remote sensing using Earth observation satellite data, the range of public and private use is expanding in various industrial fields such as agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, logistics, infrastructure maintenance and improvement, disaster prevention and mitigation, and security. In addition, the realization of high frequency observation by small satellite constellations is expected to further contribute to solving social issues by combining advanced analysis as a part of big data.
The consortium will develop a camera system with medium-high spatial resolution and high wavelength resolution and a low earth orbit small satellite capable of carrying the system, and conduct in-orbit demonstrations. The generation of multi-wavelength 3-D geospatial information by generating this image data will also be considered.
The consortium is a collaboration of optical manufacturers, satellite development manufacturers, universities, and financial institutions to generate new business. Through the collaboration of industry, academia, and government, as well as financial institutions, the consortium will work to develop observation instruments and satellites that meet the needs of the actual field and society, and to create a space industry that includes software and solutions for observing these instruments and satellites.
Using the advanced satellite remote sensing technology developed through this project, we will accelerate the use of satellite data for climate change countermeasures and ESG investment, as well as for social implementation, aiming to create new added value and to create and expand a new space industry through space utilization.
Background
As ESG investment expands worldwide demand for wide-area environmental monitoring and illegal activity monitoring for oil and other energy resource production, mineral resource development, agriculture, forestry, and other industries. An increasing number of countries and regions are requiring high-frequency observation of environmental quality data and other data.
In particular, the market for satellite data applications is one of the fastest growing markets in the space industry, and the space industry is shifting its focus from the space equipment industry, which is mainly engaged in “manufacturing,” to the space service industry, which is focused on “use”. In addition, new markets and values are expected to emerge as a result of new observation technologies, such as the establishment of methodologies for carbon credits. In this context, comprehensive advancement of remote sensing missions is required, not only in spatial resolution but also in wavelength resolution, height resolution, etc.
Contract period: From 2023 to 2028
Project name: “Business Demonstration for the Creation of a New Space Industry through the Use of Satellites Equipped with a Camera System Integrating Medium-High Spatial Resolution and High Wavelength Resolution.”
Details: here
About the SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) program of Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)
The SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) program is designed to promote research and development by startups, etc., to smoothly implement the results in society, and thereby promote innovation in Japan.
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) “Small and Medium Business Innovation Research Program: https://www.meti.go.jp/information/publicoffer/kobo/2023/k230714001.html
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.