Axelspace and Three Other Companies Selected for JAXA's Space Strategy Fund for "Advanced Observation Technologies for Next-Generation Earth Observation Satellites"

Axelspace Corporation (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Yuya Nakamura), MEIWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD. (Headquarters: Isesaki City, Gunma Prefecture; President and Representative Director: Masanobu Natsume), ANA HOLDINGS INC. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and Representative Director: Koji Shibata), and JIJ Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO and Representative Director: Yuu Yamashiro) are pleased to announce that their proposed technology development project has been selected for the "Advanced Observation Technologies for Next-Generation Earth Observation Satellites" theme within the Space Strategy Fund, a program solicited by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

Overview of the Selected Space Strategy Fund Project ・Technology Development Theme Name: Advanced Observation Technologies for Next-Generation Earth Observation Satellites ・Technology Development Project Name: Monitoring of CO2 Emissions and Absorption by Source Using Satellite Constellations and Passenger Aircraft Observations ・Lead Organization: Axelspace Corporation (Research Representative: Akihiko Kuze) ・Collaborating Organizations: MEIWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD. (Co-researchers: Hajime Murao, Hisato Iwashita) ANA HOLDINGS INC. (Co-researcher: Ayako Matsumoto) JIJ Inc. (Co-researcher: Daisuke Makino) ・Related Information: Space Strategy Fund Website "Advanced Observation Technologies for Next-Generation Earth Observation Satellites" https://fund.jaxa.jp/techlist/theme2_8/ Conceptual diagram of the technology development project. This fund project will involve the development of new small sensors and their in-orbit demonstration. In the future, the construction of a satellite constellation capable of observations at different times of day is envisioned.

Background and Objectives of this Technology Development As a response to the urgent and globally shared challenge of climate change, technological development and reduction efforts by companies and local governments are underway worldwide, including in Japan, to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and achieve net-zero. Greenhouse gas emissions are the primary driver of climate change, and attempts are being made to assign economic value to emission and absorption amounts. However, to fairly and equitably evaluate the results of these initiatives, quantitative evaluation methods based on international standards and detailed emission/reduction data as their basis are indispensable. Amidst the global issue of "greenwashing" (deceptive environmental practices that falsely claim environmental friendliness), the importance of highly transparent observation data is increasing.

Major space agencies worldwide, including JAXA, have conducted global CO2 concentration observations. However, information crucial for greenhouse gas reduction – such as the amount of CO2 emitted from specific sources and the amount absorbed by plants – has been limited to research in very specific regions or for particular absorption/emission sources. Therefore, to acquire data that provides high-resolution information contributing to global warming countermeasures, the establishment of measurement methods is necessary.

Following this technology development, we plan to utilize a newly constructed satellite constellation*1, in addition to aircraft and ground sensors, to conduct multi-point, simultaneous observations at different times of day (morning, noon, evening) in areas with concentrated large cities. The observation data obtained through this will be used to analyze and provide CO2 emission and absorption amounts by source (by time and region).