Japan to launch research study on rapid-response space transport

The Defense Ministry will launch a research study on rapid-response space transportation capabilities to secure the Self-Defense Forces’ stable use of satellites, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said Friday.

The move comes as more countries, including China, Russia and Japan’s ally, the United States, continue to bolster their military capabilities in space.

“Currently, the Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces are working to strengthen their capabilities in the space domain,” Koizumi told a regular news conference. “However, as we move forward with these efforts, it remains a critical national security issue to be able to rapidly restore functionality in the event that some of the satellites we use — including those required during emergencies — are lost.”

Koizumi pointed to the U.S., which is able to conduct on-demand space launches within 24 hours of notification.

“The importance of rapid access to space is growing,” Koizumi said, but noted that the launch capabilities required to achieve a similar goal “cannot be resolved by the Defense Ministry alone.”

With the study, he said, the ministry is soliciting a “broad range of ideas” about space transport capabilities by drawing on the technical expertise of the private sector.

The defense chief also said that one aim of the study is to serve as a catalyst for the emergence of new, Japanese-made internationally competitive systems.

Japan’s growth strategy has noted space and rocket launch sites as a crucial driver for expanding the country’s economy.

But the government has acknowledged that building out Japan’s space capabilities represents a significant challenge as it looks to boost the frequency of launches, improve domestic rocket manufacturing capabilities and develop launch sites and related infrastructure.

“This study aims to clarify the specific requirements for the rapid-response space transportation capabilities needed by the Defense Ministry and the SDF,” Koizumi said. “By demonstrating this demand, we believe it will encourage investment and commercialization by private-sector operators and contribute to strengthening Japan’s space industry infrastructure, including rockets and launch sites.”