Axelspace Announces Launch of Seven GRUS-3 Earth Observation Microsatellites, No Earlier Than July 2026

Enabling Wide-Area, High-Frequency Observation to Expand the Applications of Satellite Data

Axelspace Corporation (“Axelspace”), a leading developer and operator of microsatellites dedicated to realizing its vision of “Space within Your Reach,” announced today that GRUS-3, a set of seven next-generation Earth observation microsatellites, is scheduled to be launched no earlier than July 2026.

The seven GRUS-3 microsatellites will launch aboard the Transporter-17 rideshare mission via Exolaunch, a global leader in launch mission management, satellite integration, and deployment services, from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA.

We currently operate five optical Earth observation microsatellites, GRUS-1, under our Earth observation data service, AxelGlobe. With the launch of its successor, GRUS-3, it will expand its satellite constellation to more than 10 satellites.

■ Enabling Wide-Area, High-Frequency Observation

GRUS-3 will capture images of the Earth’s surface at the same location once per day for locations north of 25 degrees latitude from an orbit at an altitude of 585 km. It features a spatial resolution (GSD) of 2.2 meters, with each satellite having an effective swath of 28.3 km and a maximum capture length of 1,356km. A combined daily capture capacity is 2.3 million km² across seven satellites.

By enabling wide-area, high-frequency observation, GRUS-3 allows for more rapid and continuous monitoring of changes on the Earth’s surface.

■ Expanding the Applications of Earth Observation Data

GRUS-3 is newly equipped with the “coastal blue” spectral band, which is effective for capturing information beneath the water surface. In addition to acquiring true color imagery and data for analyzing vegetation health, as with GRUS-1, GRUS-3 can also observe shallow coastal features such as seabed topography and seagrass beds.

By combining the enhanced observation frequency and performance of GRUS-3 with our satellite attitude control technology—enabling tasking (on-demand imaging of designated areas)—we will meet growing demand across a wide range of fields, environment and security, in addition to precision agriculture, forest monitoring, and map creation.

Launch details for GRUS-3
Date: No earlier than July 2026
Site: Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, USA
Launch Provider: SpaceX
Vehicle: Falcon 9
Mission: Transporter-17
Lauch Integrator: Exolaunch

About GRUS-3
Number of satellites: 7
Name: GRUS-3A/3B/3C/3D/3E/3F/3G
Satellite wet mass: Approximately 150kg
Satellite envelope: 96cm x 78cm x 126cm
Spatial resolution: 2.2m
Effective swath: 28.3km
Maximum capture length: 1,356km
Band: Panchromatic, Coastal Blue, Blue, Green, Red, Red edge, Near infrared
Orbit altitude: 585km
Orbit type: Sun-synchronous

Note: The development of a versatile satellite bus system for GRUS-3 is based on results obtained through the following projects subsidized by NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization):
“Development and Demonstration of General-Purpose CubeSat and Microsatellite Buses” (FY2023-2026) *This project was supported by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (FY2021-2022)

For further information on GRUS-3, visit:
Axelspace to Equip Seven GRUS-3 Earth Observation Microsatellites with Nikon Telescopes
Axelspace to Launch Seven Next-Generation Earth Observation Microsatellites “GRUS-3” in 2026 – Enhancing Frequent Wide-Area Observation

About Axelspace
Guided by its vision—“Space within Your Reach”—Axelspace has been at the forefront of microsatellite innovation since its founding in 2008. Leveraging cutting-edge expertise in microsatellite design, manufacturing, and on-orbit operations, the company is redefining how people and industries access space. Its flagship businesses, AxelLiner, which provides satellite development and operation services to help customers realize their space missions, and AxelGlobe, which delivers Earth observation data through Axelspace’s proprietary optical satellite constellation, are driving a new era of space utilization. Through these initiatives, Axelspace is shaping a future where space is accessible and within reach for everyone.

Axelspace Corporation
Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
President and CEO: Yuya Nakamura
Founded: August 2008
https://www.axelspace.com/