Trouble in space is hard to understand
Currently, there are more than several thousand artificial satellites in operation in space, and this number is still growing rapidly. However, as the number of satellites increases, new risks are becoming apparent, such as the increasing complexity of operational management and the expanding scope of impact in the event of a problem.
Satellite problems are always present due to various factors, including design and manufacturing errors, operational errors, and external factors (debris collisions and radiation damage).
As the number of satellites increases, even a single problem like this could have a significant impact, such as reduced efficiency of orbital utilization, economic losses, and orbital pollution (formation of space debris).
Despite this, there is currently no way to directly visually check the appearance of a spacecraft when an abnormality occurs in spacecraft operations.
In reality, operators have no choice but to infer the circumstances of the abnormality based only on limited communication data and ground radar information.
Even during normal operations, there are issues such as “confirming that the solar panels are deployed properly” and “taking pictures of the exterior for public relations purposes,”
but the onboard camera has a limited range of photography, and taking pictures from a third-party perspective has not yet been established.
The background to this is a gap in design philosophy; conventional spacecraft design has been “self-contained,” and the idea of visual confirmation from the outside has never even existed.
Aiming to build a system for visually inspecting satellites in orbit
Therefore, to address the fundamental issue of “not being able to visually confirm the exterior” in spacecraft operation, we are developing a solution to design, manufacture, and operate satellites that take images of other satellites, acquire exterior images, and provide diagnostic reports. With this service, we aim to realize a “new operational infrastructure” that breaks away from conventional operations that rely solely on telemetry information and enables third-party confirmation using images.
In the future, by forming multiple satellites into constellations, we will maximize the opportunities for photography and enable rapid understanding of the situation in orbit, regardless of whether it is during trouble or normal times such as public relations or insurance responses. With the number of satellites expected to increase by several thousand per year, our solution will visualize the risks of congestion, collisions, and abnormalities by “visualizing the appearance,” thereby contributing to improving safety throughout the space industry.
Mid-term roadmap – Steady accumulation of technology
In order to realize an in-orbit inspection platform, it is necessary to demonstrate and master a variety of technologies.
Over a span of about 10 years, we would like to steadily acquire knowledge of technologies and customer issues, and use this knowledge to provide services.
Short-term roadmap – Towards the launch of the first vehicle
We are currently developing our first Cubesat (1U) as the first step in accumulating technology.
We are currently accumulating development know-how with the aim of launching it in the fall of 2027.
