The global competition to develop microsatellites was triggered by the successful launch in 2003 of a microsatellite developed by Japanese university students. Convinced that microsatellites offered future promise, Axelspace’s founding members founded Axelspace in 2008.
Since the launch of WNISAT-1, a satellite developed for Weathernews Inc., in 2013, Axelspace has launched and operated a total of 18 satellites. In 2019, the company launched AxelGlobe, a service offering solutions based on satellite imagery, followed by AxelLiner in 2022, which provides one-stop services for satellite projects.
WNISAT-1
First commercial micro-satellite owned by
private meteorological company.
For
Weathernews Inc.
Launched in November
2013
HODOYOSHI-1
Future of remote sensing by
micro-satellites.
With The University
of Tokyo
Launched in November 2014
WNISAT-1R
Latest environmental information from space
- iceberg, typhoon and volcano.
For
Weathernews Inc.
Launched in July 2017
RAPIS-1
Start point into space.
For Japan
Aerospace Exploration Agency
Launched
in January 2019
GRUS-1
Watch the Earth by next-generation remote
sensing satellites.
For Axelspace
Corporation
Launched in December 2018
(1A) and in March 2021 (1B, 1C, 1D, 1E)
PYXIS
Compass to navigate the path of future
businesses with satellites.
For
Axelspace Corporation and Sony Group
Corporation
Launched in March 2024
GRUS-3α
Advancing Earth observation capabilities—for
the next generation.
For Axelspace
Corporation
Launched in June 2025
GRUS-3
Seven Microsatellites Enabling
High-Frequency, Wide-Area Earth
Observation
For Axelspace
Corporation
Launched in July 2026
