Axelspace Expands Strategic Collaboration with KSAT
Axelspace has agreed to expand its strategic collaboration with Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT), a major ground station provider, to strengthen its ground station network for the launch of its next-generation satellite, GRUS-3.
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- 📰 Published: June 4, 2026 at 01:00
- 🔍 Collected: June 3, 2026 at 16:20
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Axelspace Corporation (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Yuya Nakamura; hereinafter 'the Company'), which develops and operates small satellites and aims to create a society where anyone can use space, is pleased to announce that it has agreed to expand its strategic collaboration with Kongsberg Satellite Services AS (Headquarters: Tromsø, Norway; hereinafter 'KSAT'), a major ground station provider.
(From left) At the signing ceremony on June 3rd. Mr. Frederik Steen, Minister Counsellor at the Royal Norwegian Embassy; Mr. Marte Indregard, President and CEO of KSAT; Mr. Yuya Nakamura, Representative Director of Axelspace; and Mr. Wataru Takahama, Director of the Space Industry Division at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
The Company is preparing for the launch of seven next-generation Earth observation satellites, 'GRUS-3', scheduled for after July 2026, and is also working to strengthen the ground station network that supports satellite operations.
Since the launch of GRUS-1A in 2018, the Company has continuously utilized the ground station service 'KSATlite' provided by KSAT. Through this agreement, both companies will promote initiatives to further enhance ground station services and data solutions. This will improve the provision of time-sensitive data and communication latency, promoting a shared vision of realizing a scalable, sustainable, and accessible space infrastructure, and responding to future business expansion and increasing mission demands.
'KSATlite' is based on a ground station network consisting of over 400 antennas installed at more than 40 geographically dispersed locations, and is experiencing rapid growth.
The signing ceremony was held at the Meiji Kinenkan, with Mr. Frederik Steen, Minister Counsellor at the Royal Norwegian Embassy, and Mr. Wataru Takahama, Director of the Space Industry Division at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, attending as witnesses.
Related information:
Expanding the strategic partnership with KSAT
Comment from Mr. Kenneth Olafsson, KSAT Asia Director and Representative Director of KSAT Japan:
'The collaboration between Axelspace and KSAT dates back to the early days of the small satellite industry. Axelspace is one of the pioneers in the small satellite field and was an early adopter of the 'KSATlite' service. The journey so far has been very exciting, and over the years we have built a foundation of trust, technical capability, and operational know-how between our two companies. Axelspace is driving innovation in Earth observation and satellite deployment, and KSAT is very pleased to support its mission through our global network and operational expertise.'
About KSAT
Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) is a world-leading provider of ground station networks and Earth observation services. Headquartered in Tromsø, Norway, it operates more than 40 ground stations worldwide, including some of the world's largest commercial ground stations in Svalbard and Antarctica.
Based on over 50 years of extensive knowledge and experience, KSAT provides high-quality, reliable communication and data services throughout the entire lifecycle of satellite missions, from launch support and satellite operations to data acquisition, processing, and analysis.
Furthermore, through its Integrated Mission Services (IMS), KSAT offers end-to-end solutions that integrate launch support, mission operations, and data delivery. IMS enables satellite operators to efficiently scale their business while reducing operational burdens, and ensures high reliability and resilience even for the operation of large satellite constellations.
Comment from Yuya Nakamura, Representative Director of Axelspace:
'The collaboration with KSAT has been a crucial foundation supporting the successful deployment and continuous operation of our satellite constellation. This strengthened collaboration is an important step to further enhance our operational infrastructure as we continue to expand our satellite capabilities in the future.'
About Axelspace
With the vision of 'Space within Your Reach', Axelspace has been a pioneer in the development of small satellites since its founding in 2008. Based on its proprietary technology in the design, manufacturing, and on-orbit operation of small satellites, the Company offers satellite development and operation services 'AxelLiner' for realizing customer space missions, and Earth observation data provision services 'AxelGlobe' using its own optical satellite constellation, providing solutions that meet the needs of various industries. Through these business activities, the Company aims to realize a society where anyone can use space.
Axelspace Corporation
Location: Clip Nihonbashi Building, 3-3-3 Nihonbashi Honcho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Representative Director: Yuya Nakamura
Established: August 2008
https://www.axelspace.com/en/
(From left) At the signing ceremony on June 3rd. Mr. Frederik Steen, Minister Counsellor at the Royal Norwegian Embassy; Mr. Marte Indregard, President and CEO of KSAT; Mr. Yuya Nakamura, Representative Director of Axelspace; and Mr. Wataru Takahama, Director of the Space Industry Division at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
The Company is preparing for the launch of seven next-generation Earth observation satellites, 'GRUS-3', scheduled for after July 2026, and is also working to strengthen the ground station network that supports satellite operations.
Since the launch of GRUS-1A in 2018, the Company has continuously utilized the ground station service 'KSATlite' provided by KSAT. Through this agreement, both companies will promote initiatives to further enhance ground station services and data solutions. This will improve the provision of time-sensitive data and communication latency, promoting a shared vision of realizing a scalable, sustainable, and accessible space infrastructure, and responding to future business expansion and increasing mission demands.
'KSATlite' is based on a ground station network consisting of over 400 antennas installed at more than 40 geographically dispersed locations, and is experiencing rapid growth.
The signing ceremony was held at the Meiji Kinenkan, with Mr. Frederik Steen, Minister Counsellor at the Royal Norwegian Embassy, and Mr. Wataru Takahama, Director of the Space Industry Division at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, attending as witnesses.
Related information:
Expanding the strategic partnership with KSAT
Comment from Mr. Kenneth Olafsson, KSAT Asia Director and Representative Director of KSAT Japan:
'The collaboration between Axelspace and KSAT dates back to the early days of the small satellite industry. Axelspace is one of the pioneers in the small satellite field and was an early adopter of the 'KSATlite' service. The journey so far has been very exciting, and over the years we have built a foundation of trust, technical capability, and operational know-how between our two companies. Axelspace is driving innovation in Earth observation and satellite deployment, and KSAT is very pleased to support its mission through our global network and operational expertise.'
About KSAT
Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) is a world-leading provider of ground station networks and Earth observation services. Headquartered in Tromsø, Norway, it operates more than 40 ground stations worldwide, including some of the world's largest commercial ground stations in Svalbard and Antarctica.
Based on over 50 years of extensive knowledge and experience, KSAT provides high-quality, reliable communication and data services throughout the entire lifecycle of satellite missions, from launch support and satellite operations to data acquisition, processing, and analysis.
Furthermore, through its Integrated Mission Services (IMS), KSAT offers end-to-end solutions that integrate launch support, mission operations, and data delivery. IMS enables satellite operators to efficiently scale their business while reducing operational burdens, and ensures high reliability and resilience even for the operation of large satellite constellations.
Comment from Yuya Nakamura, Representative Director of Axelspace:
'The collaboration with KSAT has been a crucial foundation supporting the successful deployment and continuous operation of our satellite constellation. This strengthened collaboration is an important step to further enhance our operational infrastructure as we continue to expand our satellite capabilities in the future.'
About Axelspace
With the vision of 'Space within Your Reach', Axelspace has been a pioneer in the development of small satellites since its founding in 2008. Based on its proprietary technology in the design, manufacturing, and on-orbit operation of small satellites, the Company offers satellite development and operation services 'AxelLiner' for realizing customer space missions, and Earth observation data provision services 'AxelGlobe' using its own optical satellite constellation, providing solutions that meet the needs of various industries. Through these business activities, the Company aims to realize a society where anyone can use space.
Axelspace Corporation
Location: Clip Nihonbashi Building, 3-3-3 Nihonbashi Honcho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Representative Director: Yuya Nakamura
Established: August 2008
https://www.axelspace.com/en/
FAQ
What is the purpose of the expanded collaboration between Axelspace and KSAT?
To strengthen the ground station network and advance data solutions to support the operation of the next-generation Earth observation satellite 'GRUS-3'.
What is KSATlite?
A ground station service provided by KSAT, based on a global network of over 400 antennas at more than 40 locations.
When will GRUS-3 be launched?
It is scheduled for launch after July 2026.