Space Compass Selected for JAXA's "Space Strategic Fund"
Space Compass has been selected by JAXA for its "Space Strategic Fund" to conduct research, development, and demonstration of data relay services utilizing satellite optical communication. This project aims to address the rapidly increasing volume of space data and realize the world's first commercial GEO optical data relay service.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 00:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 00:02 (2 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 02:47 (2h 45m after Collected)
Space Compass Inc. (hereinafter, Space Compass) has been selected as an implementing organization for the "Research and Development and Demonstration for Realizing Data Relay Services Utilizing Satellite Optical Communication" project under the "Space Strategic Fund (Phase II)" operated by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
Background and Purpose
The volume of data handled in space has been rapidly increasing in recent years, making the establishment of a mechanism to quickly and securely deliver information from observation satellites to the ground an urgent issue. This project aims to realize the world's first commercial GEO optical data relay service by building a next-generation data relay infrastructure that utilizes optical data relay satellites placed in geostationary orbit (GEO) and optical communication technology, featuring the following:
Real-time utilization of observation satellite data
High-speed, high-capacity communication exceeding 1Gbps
Addressing the depletion of radio resources
Ensuring high security
These initiatives are central to Space Compass's "Space Integrated Computing Network Concept," and with this selection, we will further promote development to "strengthen Japan's communication and observation."
Selection and Grant Decision Details
To socially implement data relay services utilizing satellite optical communication, the following technical elements are indispensable:
Establishing diverse data transfer from numerous observation satellites orbiting various orbits
Spatiotemporal optimization of limited satellite network resources
Automatic configuration, operation, and monitoring of end-to-end communication paths according to mission requirements
In this development, we will build a flexible spatiotemporal network control and monitoring system, anticipating future multi-orbit communication environments. Furthermore, we will manufacture and launch data relay geostationary satellites, conduct in-orbit optical communication demonstrations, and leverage the results to initiate commercial services early.
Project Overview
Recruiting Organization
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
Technology Development Theme
Research and Development and Demonstration for Realizing Data Relay Services Utilizing Satellite Optical Communication
Technology Development Challenge
Development of spatiotemporal network control and monitoring technology for multi-orbit communication environments
Maximum Support Amount
23.5 billion JPY *1
Subsidy Project Period
December 2025 - March 2031 *2
*1 The maximum support amount may change due to stage-gate evaluations, etc.
*2 The subsidy project period may change due to future stage-gate evaluations, etc.
Comment from Daijitsu Komatsu (Representative Director Co-CEO, Space Compass)
We are deeply honored that our efforts have been selected for the JAXA Space Strategic Fund. We sincerely thank all stakeholders for their support and expectations. The optical data relay service will be a foundation for "strengthening Japan's observation and communication." While there are challenges to be resolved in both technical and business aspects before social implementation, we aim to contribute to securing Japan's independence and autonomy in inter-satellite communication through the realization of this service, and to solve various social issues such as national security and natural disaster countermeasures.
About Space Compass Inc.
Space Compass Inc. is a joint venture established by NTT Corporation and SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation (Representative Directors Co-CEO: Daijitsu Komatsu, Shigehiro Hori). We aim to realize a sustainable society by building a Space Integrated Computing Network. As the first step in this concept, we are working on businesses and services for Space Data Centers (large-capacity communication and computing infrastructure in space) and Space RAN (communication infrastructure for Beyond 5G/6G). Going forward, we will aim to further strengthen our services by utilizing innovative technologies such as IOWN. https://space-compass.com
This release is one of the initiatives of "NTT C89," the space business brand developed by NTT Group companies, and "JSAT," SKY Perfect JSAT's space business brand.
https://group.ntt/jp/aerospace https://www.skyperfectjsat.space/jsat
Background and Purpose
The volume of data handled in space has been rapidly increasing in recent years, making the establishment of a mechanism to quickly and securely deliver information from observation satellites to the ground an urgent issue. This project aims to realize the world's first commercial GEO optical data relay service by building a next-generation data relay infrastructure that utilizes optical data relay satellites placed in geostationary orbit (GEO) and optical communication technology, featuring the following:
Real-time utilization of observation satellite data
High-speed, high-capacity communication exceeding 1Gbps
Addressing the depletion of radio resources
Ensuring high security
These initiatives are central to Space Compass's "Space Integrated Computing Network Concept," and with this selection, we will further promote development to "strengthen Japan's communication and observation."
Selection and Grant Decision Details
To socially implement data relay services utilizing satellite optical communication, the following technical elements are indispensable:
Establishing diverse data transfer from numerous observation satellites orbiting various orbits
Spatiotemporal optimization of limited satellite network resources
Automatic configuration, operation, and monitoring of end-to-end communication paths according to mission requirements
In this development, we will build a flexible spatiotemporal network control and monitoring system, anticipating future multi-orbit communication environments. Furthermore, we will manufacture and launch data relay geostationary satellites, conduct in-orbit optical communication demonstrations, and leverage the results to initiate commercial services early.
Project Overview
Recruiting Organization
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
Technology Development Theme
Research and Development and Demonstration for Realizing Data Relay Services Utilizing Satellite Optical Communication
Technology Development Challenge
Development of spatiotemporal network control and monitoring technology for multi-orbit communication environments
Maximum Support Amount
23.5 billion JPY *1
Subsidy Project Period
December 2025 - March 2031 *2
*1 The maximum support amount may change due to stage-gate evaluations, etc.
*2 The subsidy project period may change due to future stage-gate evaluations, etc.
Comment from Daijitsu Komatsu (Representative Director Co-CEO, Space Compass)
We are deeply honored that our efforts have been selected for the JAXA Space Strategic Fund. We sincerely thank all stakeholders for their support and expectations. The optical data relay service will be a foundation for "strengthening Japan's observation and communication." While there are challenges to be resolved in both technical and business aspects before social implementation, we aim to contribute to securing Japan's independence and autonomy in inter-satellite communication through the realization of this service, and to solve various social issues such as national security and natural disaster countermeasures.
About Space Compass Inc.
Space Compass Inc. is a joint venture established by NTT Corporation and SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation (Representative Directors Co-CEO: Daijitsu Komatsu, Shigehiro Hori). We aim to realize a sustainable society by building a Space Integrated Computing Network. As the first step in this concept, we are working on businesses and services for Space Data Centers (large-capacity communication and computing infrastructure in space) and Space RAN (communication infrastructure for Beyond 5G/6G). Going forward, we will aim to further strengthen our services by utilizing innovative technologies such as IOWN. https://space-compass.com
This release is one of the initiatives of "NTT C89," the space business brand developed by NTT Group companies, and "JSAT," SKY Perfect JSAT's space business brand.
https://group.ntt/jp/aerospace https://www.skyperfectjsat.space/jsat