Space BD Introduces "HURDLES" Space Human Resource Development Program for the First Time at a Technical High School
Space BD Inc. is introducing its "HURDLES" space industry human resource development program for the first time at Wakayama Prefectural Tanabe Technical High School. This marks the first time the program, previously offered to universities and corporations, is being deployed in a high school, contributing to space industry talent development and regional revitalization in the Kinan area.
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- 📰 Published: May 11, 2026 at 22:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 11, 2026 at 13:31
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Space BD Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Masatoshi Nagasaka), a company that provides comprehensive services in the space industry, announced that it has been commissioned by Wakayama Prefecture for the "Human Resource Development Project to Support Growth Industries" (FY2026 budget project) and will provide the practical training program for space industry human resources, "HURDLES," as part of a research project class at Wakayama Prefectural Tanabe Technical High School.
This initiative is the first case of "HURDLES," which has previously been offered to universities and corporations, being introduced to a high school. In the Kinan region, where a private small rocket launch site (spaceport) is located and has deep ties to space, this project will promote the development of the space industry and support human resource development to sustain local industries.
Wakayama Prefectural Tanabe Technical High School Teacher and Space BD Employee
◾️Significance of Space BD's participation in this project: Building a foundation for human resource development to support the space industry
In recent years, local governments and educational institutions have shown increasing interest in developing ultra-small satellites, aiming for regional revitalization and the creation of new industries. However, for many organizations seeking to enter this field, "lack of specialized knowledge" and "how to build know-how for continuous human resource development" have been major obstacles.
This project will not only provide a single-year curriculum but also share class planning and execution know-how so that teachers at the school can continue to implement similar education from FY2026 onwards. By establishing space education in the region, an environment will be created where human resources supporting the industry can be continuously produced.
◾️Curriculum Overview
In a research project class for third-year high school students, practical education will be conducted on the design, manufacturing, and testing of ultra-small satellites. Through a process where students proactively tackle problem-solving, they will acquire not only the basics of engineering but also the technical skills and "project promotion capabilities" needed to challenge unknown territories. This will heighten their interest in advanced industries and provide opportunities to broaden their future career choices.
Curriculum content (excerpt)
Understanding the overall picture of the satellite development process
Defining missions and deriving requirements
Satellite system architecture design
Practical training in partial design and manufacturing of actual satellites
Functional testing and evaluation of actual satellites
Final results report
◾️Stakeholder Comments
Wakayama Prefecture Growth Industry Promotion Division Comment
We are delighted to be able to provide new practical education to high school students in the prefecture, together with Space BD, which leads human resource development in the space industry. We hope that through practical training in satellite manufacturing, participating students will deepen their interest and understanding of the space field and grow into industrial human resources who will lead Wakayama Prefecture and Japan.
Wakayama Prefectural Tanabe Technical High School Comment
The three departments of mechanical, electrical and electronic, and information systems will "collaborate" beyond departmental boundaries to challenge cutting-edge space technology. Through deepening basic technology and challenging the unknown, we aim to foster proud engineers from Wakayama who will lead future industries and establish a new educational model for our school.
Space BD Inc. Education Business Unit, Unit Manager, Masakazu Hirano Comment
It is a great honor that "HURDLES" is being introduced to a technical high school for the first time. For students who will lead the next generation in the Kinan region, where the spaceport is located, taking on practical development is extremely significant from the perspective of developing Japan's space industry. Through this project, as a partner in the educational field, we will fully contribute to building a foundation for continuous human resource production so that students can acquire the technical skills and driving force to pioneer unknown territories.
◾️About the practical training program for space industry human resources "HURDLES"
"HURDLES Satellite System Development Edition," which focuses on the expanding satellite market and the shortage of human resources in the space industry, is a learning program compliant with the "Space Skills Standard" issued by the Cabinet Office. It systematizes satellite development know-how based on the concept of CubeSat, developed with the cooperation of Professor Meng-Yu Zhao (Chiba Institute of Technology, Kyushu Institute of Technology) and ArkEdge Space Inc.
About HURDLES Satellite System Development Edition
https://www.space-bd.com/ja/business/hrdevelopment/hurdles.html
◾️About Space BD's education and human resource development business
Aiming to expand the possibilities of people and industries through space, Space BD promotes education and human resource development for diverse fields and generations, from training ready-to-work satellite developers to space education programs for students and business training for corporations.
Examples of past initiatives:
Received support project for Yamagata University's "Benibana-Sat" project (2026.01.08)
Keio University and Space BD, in collaboration with Nikkei Inc., launched the cross-disciplinary space business human resource creation program "UNIVERSE UNIVERSITY" (2025.03.17)
Hanamaki Kita High School participated in the successful launch of the artificial satellite "YODAKA" (2024.11.)
This initiative is the first case of "HURDLES," which has previously been offered to universities and corporations, being introduced to a high school. In the Kinan region, where a private small rocket launch site (spaceport) is located and has deep ties to space, this project will promote the development of the space industry and support human resource development to sustain local industries.
Wakayama Prefectural Tanabe Technical High School Teacher and Space BD Employee
◾️Significance of Space BD's participation in this project: Building a foundation for human resource development to support the space industry
In recent years, local governments and educational institutions have shown increasing interest in developing ultra-small satellites, aiming for regional revitalization and the creation of new industries. However, for many organizations seeking to enter this field, "lack of specialized knowledge" and "how to build know-how for continuous human resource development" have been major obstacles.
This project will not only provide a single-year curriculum but also share class planning and execution know-how so that teachers at the school can continue to implement similar education from FY2026 onwards. By establishing space education in the region, an environment will be created where human resources supporting the industry can be continuously produced.
◾️Curriculum Overview
In a research project class for third-year high school students, practical education will be conducted on the design, manufacturing, and testing of ultra-small satellites. Through a process where students proactively tackle problem-solving, they will acquire not only the basics of engineering but also the technical skills and "project promotion capabilities" needed to challenge unknown territories. This will heighten their interest in advanced industries and provide opportunities to broaden their future career choices.
Curriculum content (excerpt)
Understanding the overall picture of the satellite development process
Defining missions and deriving requirements
Satellite system architecture design
Practical training in partial design and manufacturing of actual satellites
Functional testing and evaluation of actual satellites
Final results report
◾️Stakeholder Comments
Wakayama Prefecture Growth Industry Promotion Division Comment
We are delighted to be able to provide new practical education to high school students in the prefecture, together with Space BD, which leads human resource development in the space industry. We hope that through practical training in satellite manufacturing, participating students will deepen their interest and understanding of the space field and grow into industrial human resources who will lead Wakayama Prefecture and Japan.
Wakayama Prefectural Tanabe Technical High School Comment
The three departments of mechanical, electrical and electronic, and information systems will "collaborate" beyond departmental boundaries to challenge cutting-edge space technology. Through deepening basic technology and challenging the unknown, we aim to foster proud engineers from Wakayama who will lead future industries and establish a new educational model for our school.
Space BD Inc. Education Business Unit, Unit Manager, Masakazu Hirano Comment
It is a great honor that "HURDLES" is being introduced to a technical high school for the first time. For students who will lead the next generation in the Kinan region, where the spaceport is located, taking on practical development is extremely significant from the perspective of developing Japan's space industry. Through this project, as a partner in the educational field, we will fully contribute to building a foundation for continuous human resource production so that students can acquire the technical skills and driving force to pioneer unknown territories.
◾️About the practical training program for space industry human resources "HURDLES"
"HURDLES Satellite System Development Edition," which focuses on the expanding satellite market and the shortage of human resources in the space industry, is a learning program compliant with the "Space Skills Standard" issued by the Cabinet Office. It systematizes satellite development know-how based on the concept of CubeSat, developed with the cooperation of Professor Meng-Yu Zhao (Chiba Institute of Technology, Kyushu Institute of Technology) and ArkEdge Space Inc.
About HURDLES Satellite System Development Edition
https://www.space-bd.com/ja/business/hrdevelopment/hurdles.html
◾️About Space BD's education and human resource development business
Aiming to expand the possibilities of people and industries through space, Space BD promotes education and human resource development for diverse fields and generations, from training ready-to-work satellite developers to space education programs for students and business training for corporations.
Examples of past initiatives:
Received support project for Yamagata University's "Benibana-Sat" project (2026.01.08)
Keio University and Space BD, in collaboration with Nikkei Inc., launched the cross-disciplinary space business human resource creation program "UNIVERSE UNIVERSITY" (2025.03.17)
Hanamaki Kita High School participated in the successful launch of the artificial satellite "YODAKA" (2024.11.)