New facility marks the start of manufacturing for a 100 kg-class demonstration satellite under JAXA’s Space Strategy Fund
Tokyo, Japan, July 8, 2026 – ArkEdge Space Inc. (“ArkEdge Space”), a Tokyo-based space start-up delivering micro-satellite constellations from design to operations, today announced the establishment of its new Shinkiba Lab in Shinkiba, Koto-ku, Tokyo.
The facility has been established as part of the “Lunar Navigation System Technology” project under the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)’s Space Strategy Fund. With the opening of the Shinkiba Lab, ArkEdge Space has entered the manufacturing phase for 100 kg-class lunar navigation demonstration satellites planned for launch toward the Moon.
Shinkiba Lab Overview
Location: Shinkiba, Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Purpose: Development and manufacturing of lunar navigation demonstration satellites
Key Facilities: Cleanroom, various measuring instruments
Target Start of Operations: July 2026
Project Background
As lunar exploration continues to expand—from scientific missions and cargo transportation to rover operations and resource utilization—Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) infrastructure is expected to become a key enabling technology for sustainable lunar activities.
Since its selection in November 2024 under JAXA’s Space Strategy Fund, ArkEdge Space has been developing a lunar navigation payload, a 100 kg-class lunar navigation demonstration micro-satellite, its mission operations concept, and mission evaluation systems.
Looking toward future operational services, ArkEdge Space is advancing development with an emphasis on interoperability and compatibility with the international lunar communications and navigation framework “LunaNet.” Specifically, development focuses on alignment with the LunaNet Interoperability Specification (LNIS) and the LunaNet Signal-In-Space Recommended Standard (LSIS).
ArkEdge Space is also studying international spectrum coordination, signal specifications, frequency allocation, and potential interference considerations for future transmitter and receiver designs as lunar communications and navigation services evolve.
The planned mission will validate LNSS signal transmission and reception using a demonstration satellite in lunar orbit together with receivers deployed on the lunar surface. Shinkiba Lab will support the development and manufacturing of these demonstration satellites and related equipment.
For more details on the project’s initial selection, please refer to our previous press release dated November 29, 2024:
https://arkedgespace.com/en/news/2024-11-29_jaxaspacestrategyfund_lnss
(Lunar navigation demonstration satellite under development / Conceptual image)
Key Initiatives to Date
ArkEdge Space has advanced lunar navigation and communications technologies through a series of contracts with JAXA. This includes delivering the initial architecture design for lunar navigation systems from 2022 to 2023, completing technology demonstration mission studies from 2022 to 2024, and developing prototypes of the navigation payload from 2023 to 2024.
Building on these initiatives, ArkEdge Space is conducting feasibility studies toward Full Operational Capability (FOC) of the Lunar Navigation Satellite System (LNSS) targeted for the 2030s. The company is also developing receiver technologies for the Lunar Augmented Navigation Service (LANS) signals standardized under the LNIS/LSIS guidelines, supporting future lunar navigation services and commercial receiver development.
For details on the FOC feasibility study, please refer to our press release dated April 30, 2026:
https://arkedgespace.com/en/news/2026-04-30_lnss
About ArkEdge Space
ArkEdge Space is a Japanese space technology company offering end-to-end solutions for micro-satellite constellations—from planning and design to mass production and operations. Guided by its mission of “empowering people with satellites for a prosperous future,” the company is advancing capabilities in Earth observation, maritime satellite communications (VDES), optical communications, and low-Earth orbit satellite positioning, as well as lunar activities and deep space exploration. Through our mission, ArkEdge Space continues to drive the advancement of space innovation and its practical application.
Head Office Location
3F, Dome Ariake Headquarter, 1-3-33 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan
CEO: Takayoshi FUKUYO
Founded: in July 2018
Website: https://arkedgespace.com/