Initiating Space Debris Business for Active Removal and Satellite LiDAR Business for Provision of High-precision Ground Surface Information
SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation announced the establishment of Orbital Lasers Co., Ltd. as of January 12, 2024. This milestone follows the announcement in June 2020 to design and develop the payload of the world’s first*1 satellite for space debris removal using laser technology, in collaboration with the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN) *2. As a result of this progress, a startup was born from SKY Perfect JSAT.
Orbital Lasers will not only engage in space debris removal but also aims to further utilize and develop its laser technologies. By incorporating space-based LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging)*3 technology into satellites, the company aspires to become the world’s first*1 commercial provider of high-precision ground surface information through the use of Satellite LiDAR. In connection with this Satellite LiDAR business, SKY Perfect JSAT and JAXA entered into a contract regarding the conceptual study of earth observation LiDAR satellites system and its future commercialization, on January 12, 2024. Orbital Lasers is scheduled to undertake this conceptual study under contract from SKY Perfect JSAT.
Orbital Lasers will engage in the following businesses:
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- Space Debris Removal
- Detumbling (DTB)
- Space Debris Removal
Development and sales of payload capable of detumbling space debris *Planned in FY2025
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- Active Debris Removal (ADR)
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Service to remove space debris *Planned in FY2029
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- Satellite LiDAR
Provision of ground surface information using Satellite LiDAR *Planned
Image of Orbital Lasers’ businesses
In our everyday lives, we use information from space for various purposes, including weather forecasts and GPS location data, contributing to the establishment of a secure society and enhancing our overall well-being. Moreover, space-based services play a crucial role in disaster situations, offering a valuable means to assess the extent of damage and facilitate emergency communication. The significance of space systems, as infrastructure supporting the economy and society, is anticipated to continue to increase in the future.*4
Since the launch of Japan’s first commercial communication satellite “JCSAT-1” in 1989, SKY Perfect JSAT has been a pioneer in the space business, providing satellite services in Japan and overseas for over 30 years. In 2018, an internal startup program was established to explore next-generation businesses, and a project aimed at maintaining a sustainable space environment was initiated. Through collaborative efforts between industry and academia, the project progressed with research and feasibility studies, leading to the further development and utilization plans for space-based laser technologies. As a result, two new businesses involving space debris removal and Satellite LiDAR have been launched.
The issue of space debris is now regarded as an environmental problem as significant as global warming and marine plastic pollution. SKY Perfect JSAT and Orbital Lasers are earnestly addressing this concern and aiming to contribute to the improvement of a sustainable space environment.
▪️Overview of the New Company
| Company Name | Orbital Lasers Co., Ltd. |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-8-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan |
| Shareholder | SKY Perfect JSAT, others |
| Representative | Tadanori Fukushima (President & CEO) |
| Date of Establishment | January 12, 2024 |
| Business Operations |
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| URL | https://www.orbitallasers.com |
▪️Comments:
Tadanori Fukushima, President & CEO, Orbital LasersIn my 14 years of experience in satellite operations, I have always been highly concerned about the impact of space debris on the space environment. Consequently, I applied for an internal start-up program and engaged in research and development of space debris removal with universities, research institutions, government agencies, companies, and experts to advance its business development. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the people involved in the establishment of Orbital Lasers. Furthermore, during this progress, we were able to discover new possibilities using space-based lasers, leading to the Satellite LiDAR Business. Through Orbital Lasers’ initiatives, we aim to contribute to society by further enhancing the usability of space.
Eiichi Yonekura, Representative Director, President & CEO, SKY Perfect JSATI am deeply honored that we have finally been able to establish this new company through the start-up program—an employee-initiated new business proposal system—that we launched in 2018. As a leader in the space industry, SKY Perfect JSAT will continue to aim for further business expansion and embrace the challenges of create not only the next new businesses also generating new business models and values through partnering with other companies.
Setsuko Aoki, Outside Director, SKY Perfect JSAT Holdings Inc.The Orbital Lasers Co., Ltd. has started two world’s first businesses through state-of-the art lasers technology: aiming to provide high-quality Earth information; and protect orbits as ‘limited natural resources’ by active debris removal. This is not just a new venture. This also qualifies as a part of Japan’s contribution to the global society whose urgent needs include the safe and sustainable use of outer space. As an outside director, I am most proud of the innovative enterprise on which both companies have embarked.
*1 : Based on SKY Perfect JSAT research.
*2 : Satellite Orbital State Control Laser Laboratory https://bzp.riken.jp/oneteam/team_49/ (Japanese Web page)
*3 : LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is a remote sensing technology that measures the distance to and shape of a target object by emitting laser light and using information obtained from the reflected light.
*4 : In reference to the Cabinet Decision dated June 13, 2023, regarding the “Basic Plan on Space” by the Cabinet Office of Japan.
