Iwaya Kikken Joins Large-Scale Space Research with Tokyo University of Science Under Government Space Strategy Fund to Advance Mars Exploration

Iwaya Kikken Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Ebetsu City, Hokkaido; Representative Director: Keisuke Iwaya; hereinafter "the Company"), aiming to achieve the world's first commercial passenger flight to space via balloon, announces its participation as a collaborating organization in the proposal led by the National University Corporation Tokyo University of Science (Headquarters: Meguro-ku, Tokyo; President: Naoto Ohtake) for the technology development theme "Space Application and New Industry Seed Creation Hub 'SX-CRANE'" under the government-led Space Strategy Fund. The contract between the administrative agency, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and the lead institution has now been officially signed.

Together with Tokyo University of Science and other collaborating organizations, the Company will apply its expertise in high-altitude stratospheric balloon operations—developed through years of experience—to research and development efforts aimed at future human Mars exploration.

Overview of the Selected Project

Technology Development Theme Name: Space Application and New Industry Seed Creation Hub "SX-CRANE"

Implementing Organization (Lead Institution): National University Corporation Tokyo University of Science

Principal Investigator: Yasuhito Sekine

Technology Development Topic Name: Hub for Environmental Sensors and Small Payloads Toward the Era of Human Mars Exploration (Lead Type)

Related Information: https://fund.jaxa.jp/techlist/theme2_17/

Key Technical Developments in This Research

This research aims to "live safely and healthily through environmental sensing technologies for the Mars era." It will advance the development of sensor technologies and small payloads capable of precisely monitoring space environments in preparation for future human Mars missions. Data acquisition and analysis technologies for extreme environments are expected to have broad applications beyond space exploration, including Earth environmental monitoring, disaster prevention, and resource exploration.

Industry-Academia Collaboration in This Project

The research is led by Tokyo University of Science, with collaborative partners including Iwaya Kikken, Shimadzu Corporation, Midtown Inc., and academic institutions such as Tohoku University, The University of Tokyo, and Osaka Metropolitan University.

The project will miniaturize, harden for environmental resilience, and reduce power consumption of sensor and device technologies currently used in extreme environments such as Antarctica, the stratosphere, deep sea, and open ocean, adapting them for space use. The goal is to achieve environmental measurements in preparation for human arrival on Mars and the Moon.

Overview of the Lead Institution

National University Corporation Tokyo University of Science

Representative: President Naoto Ohtake (Ohtake Naoto)

Address: 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo

Overview: Tokyo University of Science (Science Tokyo) is a national university established in October 2024 through the integration of Tokyo Medical and Dental University and Tokyo Institute of Technology. Guided by the mission to "explore scientific progress and human happiness, creating new value together with society," the university aims to forge a new model of higher education by combining the traditions and cutting-edge strengths of both institutions.

WEB: https://www.isct.ac.jp/en

Company Overview

Iwaya Kikken Co., Ltd.

Representative: Representative Director Keisuke Iwaya (Iwaya Keisuke)

Address: 26-22 Omakaminamicho, Ebetsu City, Hokkaido

Overview: A startup specializing in the technological development and research of space balloons capable of reaching the stratosphere, as well as stratospheric and space-related equipment. Together with co-creation partners, the company plans and operates the 'OPEN UNIVERSE PROJECT,' aiming to democratize access to space through balloon-based 'space sightseeing flights.'

WEB: https://iwaya.biz/

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