Interstellar Technologies’ Satellite Business Passes Stage Gate for JAXA’s Space Strategy Fund’s Program

• Interstellar Technologies has successfully cleared the Stage Gate Review for JAXA’s Space Strategy Fund’s  “High Accuracy Satellite Formation Flight Technology  Theme
• The project developed a control algorithm that uses electromagnets to maintain the relative positions of thousands of ultra-small satellites with centimeter-level precision.

Interstellar Technologies (“Interstellar”) announced it has successfully passed the Stage Gate Review for the “High Accuracy Satellite Formation Flight Technology Theme“, a technology development program under the Space Strategy Fund led by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

After being selected for the first phase of the Strategic Space Fund in 2025, Interstellar is currently executing a three-year development contract with JAXA. Under this project, the company has been developing formation flying technology that enables precise control of a large number of satellites^*1 in collaboration with five top Japanese engineering universities: the University of Osaka, Institute of Science Tokyo, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Shonan Institute of Technology, and the University of Aizu. 

During the first year,  the team designed a control algorithm that uses electromagnets to maintain the relative positions of thousands of ultra-small satellites with centimeter-level precision. The new algorithm was verified through high-fidelity orbital simulations and ground-based water tank experiments using floating satellite mockups.  As a result, the project received high praise in the recent Stage Gate Review. The evaluation stated: “The project has achieved all targets set for the stage gate and all items based on the original plan, and is progressing extremely smoothly and systematically. Furthermore, an efficient and sound management structure has been established, including organizational PDCA operations and expansion into intellectual property and research publications.“^*2

In recent years, global competition for communications, observation, and positioning satellite systems has intensified, moving towards the economic and social benefits of low Earth orbit small satellite constellations. This project aims to establish key unique and innovative technologies for formation flying to raise Japan’s international competitiveness. Having ultra-small satellites control each other’s position and attitude while flying in space with high precision in coordination makes it possible to install large antennas in space. This opens doors to new industrial applications that are difficult to achieve with conventional satellite constellations, such as next-generation broadband satellite communications that directly connect to smartphones and automobiles.

Interstellar Technologies remains the only company in Japan pursuing a vertically integrated model that combines in-house rocket launches with advanced satellite communications.  By controlling the process from the launch vehicle to the satellites, Interstellar eliminates the primary bottlenecks of the space industry while becoming  a highly scalable business.

*1 Technology developing theme: “High Accuracy Satellite Formation Flight Technology” (only in Japanese) https://fund.jaxa.jp/techlist/theme16/

*2 Stage Gate Evaluation Results (only in Japanese):　https://fund.jaxa.jp/content/uploads/sg_kekka16_1.pdf