Space Compass selected to drive“Development and demonstration of inter-satellite optical communication network system Project"

Tokyo, Japan., March 28th, 2023

Space Compass Corporation is pleased to announce that it has been selected by NewEnergy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), together withour partners, the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology(NICT), AXELSPACE Corporation and NEC Corporation, to move forward “Development and demonstration of inter-satellite optical communication network system Project” (TheProject).

Background

The Cabinet Secretariat, the Cabinet Office and other relevant ministries and agencies of Japan have established the Key and Advanced Technology R&D through Cross Community Collaboration Program (commonly known as “K Program”), which enablespublic and private related parties in Japan to quickly and flexibly conduct the research, development, demonstration testing and practical implementation of the key technologies, aiming to enhance Japanese national economic security.

Project Scope

As part of the above-mentioned K Program, the project goal is to establish the cuttingedge technologies to build the most advanced global scale optical communication-basedsatellites constellation network. The project will boost Japan’s competitiveness in rapidlygrowing global market and invigorate industry-wide growth in Japan.The project’s scope of work includes developing the optical communication-based satellites constellation network system along with edge computing system in space, and conducting space demonstration tests in the vicinity of Japan by 2029, to verify whether the system can meet the requirements for the optical communication-based satellites constellation network.Space Compass will lead the project as a representative and perform a project managerrole as well.

Project Structure

• NICT: Development and demonstration testing of interconnectivity (between satellites and ground stations) and network control technologies.
• AXELSPACE: Development and demonstration testing of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) micro satellite (including space edge computing) technologies.
• NEC: Development of Medium-size Low Earth Orbit Satellite technologies.
  
  

About Space Compass Corporation

Space Compass is a joint venture company between NTT, Japanese Information and Communications Technology (ICT) leader, and SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation, Asia’s largest satellite operator. We will launch a Space Integrated Computing Network to aid the realization of a sustainable society. For more information, visit our corporate website, https://space-compass.com

About National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT)

The National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT, President: Hideyuki Tokuda) is Japan's only public research organization specializing in the field of information and communications. NICT promotes research and development of information and communication technologies from an integrated perspective, from basic to applied perspectives. At the same time, NICT aims to create innovation by widely sharing its research and development results with society in cooperation with universities, industry, local governments, and research organizations in Japan and abroad. For more information, please visit https://www.nict.go.jp/

About Axelspace Corporation

Axelspace provides solutions on the basis on its unique micro satellite technology under the vision of "Space within Your Reach.” The company’s main business activities comprise the AxelGlobe Earth Observation platform and the AxelLiner one-stop service to enable customers to realize their own microsatellite missions. The company offers microsatellite-based solutions for the Earth Observation business and the design, manufacturing, launch organization, operational support and commissioning of microsatellites and related components.For more information, please visit https://www.axelspace.com/

About NEC Corporation

In over 120 years of activities since its foundation, NEC has contributed to societythrough innovation by utilizing advanced technologies, various knowledge, experience,and ideas. As a company that creates social value, NEC aims to realize a sustainablesociety where everyone can fully realize their humanity by creating social values of safety,security, fairness, and efficiency through the power of digital technology. For moreinformation, please visit https://jpn.nec.com/