Space Quarters Succeeds in Space Welding Technology Demonstration in Zero Gravity and Lunar Gravity Environments toward the Realization of Space Architecture
Space Quarters has successfully demonstrated electron beam welding of metal materials and lunar regolith under simulated microgravity and lunar gravity environments using an aircraft. Developed jointly with JAXA, this energy-saving technology brings large-scale space construction a step closer to reality.
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- 📰 Published: April 7, 2026 at 19:00
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Space Quarters Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, CEO: Shogo Onishi, hereinafter "Space Quarters"), which has an office at the "Kawasaki Business Incubation Center (KBIC)"—an open innovation hub for tech startups in the Shin-Kawasaki area, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, operated by a joint venture including Tsukulie Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Hideki Suzuki, hereinafter "Tsukulie")—has successfully conducted welding demonstration tests under space vacuum, microgravity, and simulated lunar gravity environments using an aircraft, successfully welding metal materials and lunar regolith building materials. In this test, good joint conditions and sufficient joint strength were confirmed under conditions equivalent to the actual construction environment in space.
Space Quarters is a startup developing a space construction system to build large-scale infrastructure structures in orbit and on the lunar surface, with the mission of "continuing to expand human possibilities." The company is developing space construction technology centered on electron beam welding and is working to establish a technology platform that enables manufacturing, assembly, and repair in space.
Aircraft Test for Space Welding Demonstration
In this test, a high-vacuum chamber was mounted on an aircraft, and welding demonstrations in a space vacuum, microgravity, and simulated lunar gravity environment were conducted using a compact, lightweight electron beam welding machine developed in-house. In microgravity and 1/6G lunar gravity environments, stable joining tests were performed multiple times, confirming the viability of welding technology in the space environment.
Energy-Saving Metal Welding Technology through Joint Research with JAXA Space Exploration Innovation Hub
The demonstrated energy-saving metal welding technology using electron beams was developed through joint research with the Space Exploration Innovation Hub of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). This technology enables welding in the space environment, where securing energy and exhaust heat are major constraints. Furthermore, since the gravity environment affects the flow field of the molten metal inside the weld, tests were conducted in microgravity and lunar gravity environments to evaluate and improve adaptability to each environment, thereby enhancing its maturity as a welding technology that can be actually used in space.
Space Quarters is a startup developing a space construction system to build large-scale infrastructure structures in orbit and on the lunar surface, with the mission of "continuing to expand human possibilities." The company is developing space construction technology centered on electron beam welding and is working to establish a technology platform that enables manufacturing, assembly, and repair in space.
Aircraft Test for Space Welding Demonstration
In this test, a high-vacuum chamber was mounted on an aircraft, and welding demonstrations in a space vacuum, microgravity, and simulated lunar gravity environment were conducted using a compact, lightweight electron beam welding machine developed in-house. In microgravity and 1/6G lunar gravity environments, stable joining tests were performed multiple times, confirming the viability of welding technology in the space environment.
Energy-Saving Metal Welding Technology through Joint Research with JAXA Space Exploration Innovation Hub
The demonstrated energy-saving metal welding technology using electron beams was developed through joint research with the Space Exploration Innovation Hub of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). This technology enables welding in the space environment, where securing energy and exhaust heat are major constraints. Furthermore, since the gravity environment affects the flow field of the molten metal inside the weld, tests were conducted in microgravity and lunar gravity environments to evaluate and improve adaptability to each environment, thereby enhancing its maturity as a welding technology that can be actually used in space.