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:

1. 1. Space Debris Removal
      1. Detumbling (DTB)

Development and sales of payload capable of detumbling space debris *Planned in FY2025

1. 1. 1. Active Debris Removal (ADR)

Service to remove space debris *Planned in FY2029

1. 1. 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.