Launch Date Confirmed for Seven GRUS-3 Earth Observation Microsatellites

Axelspace Corporation (“Axelspace”), a leading developer and operator of microsatellites dedicated to realizing its vision of “Space within Your Reach,” announced today that the launch of the seven GRUS-3 next-generation Earth observation microsatellites are targeted for July 7, 2026 at 07:15 (UTC).

Axelspace shipped the seven microsatellites to the launch site and completed to integrate them to the vehicle in June 2026. They will be launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA, during Transporter-17 rideshare mission via Exolaunch, a global leader in launch mission management, satellite integration, and deployment service.

The launch of GRUS-3 is scheduled as follows:
Date & Time: July 7, 2026 at 07:15 (UTC)
Site: Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA
Operator: SpaceX
Vehicle: Falcon 9
Mission: Transporter-17
Launch integrator: Exolaunch

GRUS-3 is an Earth observation microsatellite equipped with an optical sensor, to contribute to the expansion of Axelspace’s satellite constellation for providing Earth observation data, enabling wide-area and high-frequency observation. They will capture images of the Earth’s surface at the same location once per day for locations north of 25 degrees latitude. Each offers a spatial resolution (ground sampling distance) of 2.2 meters, with an effective swath of 28.3 km and a maximum capture length of 1,356 km.

For further information on GRUS-3, visit:
Axelspace Announces Launch of Seven GRUS-3 Earth Observation Microsatellites, No Earlier Than July 2026

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)

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/en/