Star Signal Solutions signs cooperation MOU with France's Look Up to advance Space Situational Awareness (SSA)
Star Signal Solutions and France's Look Up signed an MOU to improve the accuracy of tracking satellites and space debris by combining optical and radar observations.
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- 📰 Published: April 2, 2026 at 02:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 17:37
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 07:07 (469h 29m after Collected)
Star Signal Solutions Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kakigaracho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, CEO: Akihiro Iwaki, hereinafter "Star Signal Solutions") has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on cooperation aimed at improving the accuracy of grasping artificial satellites and space debris in outer space with Look Up Space (Headquarters: Toulouse, France, CEO: Michel Friedling, hereinafter "Look Up"), a French company that conducts radar-based observation of space objects and debris.
The signing of this MOU was announced in conjunction with the visit of French Republic President Emmanuel Macron to Japan on April 1, 2026, and is one of the initiatives symbolizing the strengthening of cooperation in the space sector between Japan and France.
Starting Technical Verification Combining Radar and Optical Observations
Based on this cooperation, Star Signal Solutions and Look Up will commence technical verification activities to mutually compare and analyze the optical observation data and radar observation data held and acquired by each company.
By combining the different observation methods of optical observation and radar observation, we will verify the possibility of data utilization that leverages the characteristics and strengths of each, aiming to improve interoperability and sophistication of the Space Situational Awareness (SSA) capabilities of both Japan and France.
Contributing to Space Safety, Sustainability, and Security
In addition to ensuring the safety and sustainability of outer space, this initiative will contribute to the realization of practical Space Traffic Management (STM), which has become increasingly important in recent years, and the development of infrastructure to improve security capabilities in outer space.
The coordination of observation data across different countries and different technical foundations will also contribute to the framework of international SSA cooperation, and is expected to contribute to the realization of safe and sustainable space utilization and the stable use of the space environment.
Comment from Wataru Takahama, Director of Space Industry Office, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
"At the 4th Japan-France Comprehensive Space Dialogue held in January this year, introductions to advanced initiatives regarding space debris countermeasures and the importance of promoting international rule-making in cooperation with allied and like-minded countries were discussed. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry recognizes that this MOU will further accelerate such advanced initiatives by both Japan and France, and we expect that such initiatives will contribute to the further development of the space industries in both countries."
Comment from Akihiro Iwaki, CEO of Star Signal Solutions Co., Ltd.
"Look Up is leading in radar..."
The signing of this MOU was announced in conjunction with the visit of French Republic President Emmanuel Macron to Japan on April 1, 2026, and is one of the initiatives symbolizing the strengthening of cooperation in the space sector between Japan and France.
Starting Technical Verification Combining Radar and Optical Observations
Based on this cooperation, Star Signal Solutions and Look Up will commence technical verification activities to mutually compare and analyze the optical observation data and radar observation data held and acquired by each company.
By combining the different observation methods of optical observation and radar observation, we will verify the possibility of data utilization that leverages the characteristics and strengths of each, aiming to improve interoperability and sophistication of the Space Situational Awareness (SSA) capabilities of both Japan and France.
Contributing to Space Safety, Sustainability, and Security
In addition to ensuring the safety and sustainability of outer space, this initiative will contribute to the realization of practical Space Traffic Management (STM), which has become increasingly important in recent years, and the development of infrastructure to improve security capabilities in outer space.
The coordination of observation data across different countries and different technical foundations will also contribute to the framework of international SSA cooperation, and is expected to contribute to the realization of safe and sustainable space utilization and the stable use of the space environment.
Comment from Wataru Takahama, Director of Space Industry Office, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
"At the 4th Japan-France Comprehensive Space Dialogue held in January this year, introductions to advanced initiatives regarding space debris countermeasures and the importance of promoting international rule-making in cooperation with allied and like-minded countries were discussed. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry recognizes that this MOU will further accelerate such advanced initiatives by both Japan and France, and we expect that such initiatives will contribute to the further development of the space industries in both countries."
Comment from Akihiro Iwaki, CEO of Star Signal Solutions Co., Ltd.
"Look Up is leading in radar..."