Astroscale Japan Secures Contract with Japanese Ministry of Defense to Develop a Responsive Space System Demonstration Satellite Prototype

Astroscale Japan, a subsidiary of Astroscale Holdings, a provider of satellite servicing and long-term orbital sustainability across all orbits, has been awarded a 7.27 billion yen (including tax) contract by Japan’s Ministry of Defense to develop a responsive space system demonstration satellite prototype. The project, running from March 2025 to March 2028, includes the development and testing of a proto-flight model for a small geostationary demonstration satellite. In the launch and operations phases, which will be managed under a separate contract, the satellite will demonstrate technologies to advance space domain awareness (SDA), space surveillance, intelligence gathering and space operations capabilities.

“This contract marks a significant milestone as Astroscale Japan expands into the security and defense sector,” said Eddie Kato, managing director of Astroscale Japan. “Alongside our existing government and commercial business, we have established a third pillar of our operations. By leveraging our heritage in rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) technologies, we will adapt our capabilities to the unique requirements of this sector.”

This project represents Astroscale Japan’s entry into the security and defense sector, as nations seek to monitor threats and deter adversaries in space. Defense sectors worldwide are increasingly recognizing the value of on-orbit servicing and RPO in securing satellite operations.