Nippon Express Group Invests in ElevationSpace, Developer of Earth-Bound Space Transportation Services

NIPPON EXPRESS Holdings, Inc. (President: Tomo Horikiri) announced on June 11 (Thu) an investment in ElevationSpace, Inc. (CEO: Ryohei Kobayashi, hereinafter "ElevationSpace") through its NX Global Innovation Investment Limited Partnership. ElevationSpace is engaged in space environment utilization and recovery platform businesses.

Overview of ElevationSpace

ElevationSpace has set its vision as "building a transportation network connecting people and objects in orbit," and is a startup developing services to recover and transport materials produced through research, experiments, and manufacturing in space back to Earth.

The company is advancing the development of the "ELS-R," a small capsule that integrates microgravity experiments with Earth return and recovery, and the "ELS-RS," a dedicated capsule designed to frequently transport materials from future private space stations and other facilities back to Earth. Additionally, ElevationSpace plans to launch "Aoba," Japan's first privately led re-entry satellite, in the latter half of 2026 or later.

Background and Purpose of the Investment

The space industry is expected to grow significantly, driven by expanding applications beyond satellite utilization, including research, experiments, and manufacturing in space. However, systems for returning research results and materials from space to Earth remain limited, posing a critical challenge for broader space utilization.

Moreover, the International Space Station (ISS) is scheduled to cease operations by the end of 2030, increasing the need to establish new transportation infrastructure in anticipation of future private space station operations. In this context, ElevationSpace's "ELS-R" and "ELS-RS" are expected to serve as foundational platforms supporting recovery and transportation from space to Earth.

Nippon Express Group is actively pursuing new business opportunities in future growth areas as part of its long-term vision to become a logistics company with a strong global presence.

In the future, an era is anticipated where materials produced through research, experiments, and manufacturing in space are recovered and transported globally. For the advancement of the space industry, it is essential to establish global supply chains that encompass all stages from launch preparation to post-re-entry recovery and transportation.

Through this investment, Nippon Express Group will leverage its globally cultivated End-to-End solution expertise to explore seamless transportation models connecting space and Earth, thereby contributing to the sustainable development of the space industry.

Collaboration Initiatives

Cooperation toward Building the Last-Mile of Space Logistics

In anticipation of the full-scale operation of the "ELS-R" and "ELS-RS," the two companies will jointly explore logistics models connecting space and Earth. The goal is to establish last-mile logistics services in space transportation, including pre- and post-launch transportation, recovery and transportation of returned items after Earth re-entry, and final delivery to end destinations.

Provision of Logistics Functions and Expertise

Nippon Express Group will utilize its expertise in international logistics, customs clearance for imports and exports, temperature and shock management, and distribution cultivated globally to support the development of seamless transportation schemes suitable for space-transported materials. The group will work to enhance logistics capabilities to safely and reliably deliver research, experimental, and manufacturing outcomes from space to Earth.

Support for Building ElevationSpace's Logistics Infrastructure

Looking ahead to future business expansion, Nippon Express Group will also support ElevationSpace in establishing production logistics and logistics infrastructure both domestically and internationally by leveraging its global network.

Nippon Express Group will continue to co-create new social value through partnerships with startups worldwide, contributing to the development of next-generation industries and the realization of a sustainable society.

Executive Comments

Ryohei Kobayashi, CEO, ElevationSpace, Inc.

"We are deeply encouraged and delighted to welcome Nippon Express Group, a global leader in logistics, as our partner. By combining our 'recovery and transportation technology' for bringing space-produced materials back to Earth with Nippon Express Group's advanced logistics expertise, we will expand the possibilities of seamless end-to-end transportation models that smoothly connect space and Earth. Through this pioneering initiative, we will accelerate the construction of a 'transportation network connecting people and objects in orbit,' contributing to a world where everyone can live in space and to the development of a sustainable space supply chain."

Kosuke Ao, Head of Corporate Venturing, NIPPON EXPRESS Holdings, Inc.

"As the space industry continues to grow, systems for delivering research outcomes and materials created in space to Earth will become increasingly important. ElevationSpace is tackling the critical domain of recovery and transportation from space to Earth, and we see significant potential. Through this investment, we will deepen our collaboration and contribute to the sustainable development of the space industry."

Overview of the Investee Company

Company Name

ElevationSpace, Inc.

Headquarters

9F, Ichigo Kakegawa Building, 2-1-65 Kakegawa, Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan

Established

February 2021

Representative

Ryohei Kobayashi

Number of Employees

78 (as of March 2026)

Business Activities

Space environment utilization and recovery platform business, high-frequency material transportation from manned space stations

Website

https://elevation-space.com/

About the NX Group:

Since its founding in 1937, the NX Group has connected people, businesses, and communities through transportation, growing alongside societal development. As a global logistics company with approximately 78,000 employees across 57 countries and regions, it provides high-quality logistics services by leveraging land, sea, and air transportation modes along with warehousing and IT.

The NX Group's corporate message, "We Find the Way," reflects our strong determination and confidence to always find the best solution and get the job done, no matter the circumstances. Beyond transporting goods, we serve as a partner in co-creating our customers' futures, providing sustainable and environmentally conscious supply chain solutions.

For more information, please visit https://www.nipponexpress-holdings.com/en/.