Axelspace and Star Signal Solutions Enter into Collaboration to Enhance Satellite Operation Safety and Advance the Sustainable Use of Space

~ Advancing the Evaluation and Commercialization of Space Situational Awareness Services Using Operational Satellites ~

Axelspace Corporation (“Axelspace”) and Star Signal Solutions, Inc. (“Star Signal”) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on the evaluation of space situational awareness(“SSA”)-related services and the future commercialization of such services, with the shared goal of enhancing satellite operation safety and enabling the sustainable use of space.

By combining Axelspace’s expertise in the development and operation of microsatellites with Star Signal’s technologies in space object observation, orbit determination, conjunction assessment, and collision avoidance support, the companies will evaluate the effectiveness of SSA services in an operational satellite environment.

Axelspace provides satellite development and operation services through AxelLiner and Earth observation data services through AxelGlobe, leveraging its proprietary expertise in microsatellite design, manufacturing, and in-orbit operations. Star Signal is a startup developing and operating core technologies essential for space situational awareness and space traffic management and coordination (STM/STC), including space object orbit analysis, collision avoidance, and observational data processing.
Under the MOU, Axelspace will evaluate Star Signal’s prototype services in an operational environment, including its observation service for SSA and S-CAN, a navigation service that supports conjunction assessment and collision avoidance. The two companies will also work toward the future commercialization and deployment of these services.

Star Signal has been selected under the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)’s Space Strategy Fund as part of the second-phase technology development theme, “Technologies for Realizing FlexibleUse of Space.” Through this initiative, Star Signal is developing innovative technologies to cost-effectively and efficiently build a catalog of space objects, including debris smaller than 10 cm that has traditionally been difficult to observe and track. In parallel, the company is conducting demonstrations aimed at the commercial utilization of these capabilities and contributing to the realization of next-generation SSA infrastructure that helps reduce collision risks for satellites and space stations.
As a collaborating organization in this research and development initiative, Axelspace will support the evaluation of satellite orbit determination technologies using optical satellite observation data and onboard GPS receivers (GPSR). Axelspace will also contribute to technical efforts aimed at establishing an independent space debris observation and tracking capability

Through this collaboration, Axelspace and Star Signal will work together to enhance the safety and reliability of satellite operations and advance the management of collision risks involving satellites and space debris, which is becoming increasingly important as space utilization continues to expand. Through these efforts, the two companies aim to contribute to a sustainable space use over the long-term.

Akihiro Iwaki, Co-Founder & CEO of Star Signal, commented;
“As space activities continue to expand rapidly, ensuring safety in space has become an essential foundation for the sustainable growth of the satellite business. We have been developing technologies and services that support the safe use of space, including space object observation, orbital analysis, and collision avoidance support. Through our collaboration with Axelspace, which has extensive experience in the development and operation of microsatellites, we will evaluate and validate our services through on-orbit satellite operations, further enhancing their reliability and practical value. By combining the strengths of both companies, we aim to enhance the global competitiveness of Japan’s space industry and contribute to the sustainable use of outer space.”

Takashi Eishima, Director of Axelspace, commented;
“As the use of space continues to expand at an accelerating pace, enhancing the safety of satellite operations is an important endeavor that supports not only individual satellites, but also the long-term sustainability of the space environment as a whole. Axelspace is advancing its efforts toward the sustainable use of space in accordance with the Green Spacecraft Standard, its own space sustainability standard that provides guidelines covering the entire satellite lifecycle. In addition to these efforts, through this collaboration, we will evaluate the effectiveness of space situational awareness services in an operational environment and contribute to safer and more sustainable satellite operations.”

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