ABOUT
MESSAGE
REALIZE A FUTURE
WHERE EVERYONE
CAN ACCESS SPACE
Our journey began in 2005 when a group of space engineers, science journalists, writers, and enthusiasts came together to launch activities under the banner of "Natsu no Rocket-dan" (Summer Rocket Group). By 2013, Interstellar Technologies Inc. was born, setting its headquarters amidst the landscapes of Taiki, Hokkaido, Japan. At that time, while private space businesses were already emerging in the United States, Japan was still in the dark about the potential of such ventures.
Undeterred by the skepticism of the times, we dared to dream of a future where the stars were within reach and set forth to craft that reality. In an era when few believed, we took the first step forward, engaging in manufacturing, rallying others around their cause, and steadily accumulating achievements. In 2019, we achieved the milestone of being the first privately developed rocket to reach space, followed by the feat of two consecutive space launches in a single month in 2021. Though our journey was filled with countless trials and tribulations, our driving force was the shared desire to make a future where space is within everyone's reach a reality.
ROCKETS ARE
THE NEW FRONTIER
OF LOGISTICS
Forecasts suggest a monumental shift in the space industry, projecting its value to skyrocket beyond 100 trillion yen by 2040, ushering in an era of evolution reminiscent of the internet's transformation. Space is expected to become an integral part of Earth's economic landscape, with space activities becoming increasingly commonplace.
Much like the GAFAM giants in the field of IT, rockets serve as the backbone and launching pad for the space industry. As satellite technology evolves, driven by advancements in semiconductor miniaturization, the demand for satellite launches has surged with the influx of private companies. Yet, the bottleneck lies in the transportation infrastructure required for satellite deployment. By launching low-cost rockets at high frequencies, we aim to not only contribute to the establishment of a space industry platform in Asia but also to bolster the Japanese space industry.
CHANGE
THE ROCKET,
THE SATELLITE,
AND THE EARTH
The focal point of our efforts lies in the development of the "ZERO" rocket, purpose-built to meet the escalating demand for launching small satellites into orbit. Looking beyond, Interstellar Technologies envisions vertical integration with Our Stars, a satellite development project, and aims to establish a major space industry supply chain in Hokkaido and Japan.
The future of the space industry and its contribution to addressing Earth's challenges hinge on innovation in the infrastructure, encompassing rockets for space transportation and satellites as the hardware for space utilization. As a comprehensive space infrastructure company, our goal is to lower the barrier to entry into space and expand its applications, thereby realizing a sustainable future for our planet through space exploration.
ACHIEVEMENTS
18 ROCKETS MANUFACTURED AND LAUNCHED
36 PARTNERS
NO.1 FIRST ASIAN PRIVATE COMPANY TO REACH SPACE With a liquid fueled rocket
HISTORY
In 1997, space enthusiasts from across the nation came together to explore the possibility of launching low-cost satellites into orbit using miniature rockets. This initiative eventually led to the concept of small rockets capable of deploying satellites weighing only a few dozen grams into orbit, which is the foundation of our current rocket development. It all began with brainstorming sessions in the humble confines of an apartment bathroom, where members conducted repeated experiments to ignite the first rocket engines. With no initial infrastructure, the team persevered, eventually establishing a base in Akahira City, Hokkaido. Today, our pursuit of this dream continues in Taiki, Hokkaido.
- 2005
Founded Natsu no Rocket-dan, an organization dedicated to private space development, the forerunner of Interstellar Technologies.
- 2011
Rocket launches began in Taiki, Hokkaido, Japan
- 2013
Interstellar Technologies business started
- 2017
Suborbital launch vehicle MOMO F1 launched
- 2018
MOMO F2 launched
- 2019
MOMO F3 reached space
MOMO F4 launched
- 2020
Succeeded in static fire test for the small satellite launch vehicle ZERO
MOMO F5 launched
- 2021
MOMO F7 and MOMO F6 reached space
- 2022
Construction began on ZERO launch site
OUR TEAM
TAKAHIRO INAGAWA
Chief Executive Officer
Master's in mechanical and physical engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology. As a student, he designed human-powered airplanes and hybrid rockets. After graduating, he joined Interstellar Technologies, his current position since 2014.
Chief Executive Officer
TAKAHIRO INAGAWA
SATOSHI NAKAYAMA
Director of the Board / Vice President of Launch Vehicle
After graduation, he joined Mitsubishi Precision Company, Limited. For 12 years, he was involved in developing of on-board equipment for rockets and satellites. As a project manager, he was responsible for developing navigation sensors for major rockets in Japan. He joined Interstellar Technologies in January 2021, where he oversaw avionics development, reliability design, and quality assurance, and was appointed General Manager of the R&D department in September of that year. He has published papers, presented at conferences, patented technologies, and received awards in the field of space equipment.
Director of the Board / Vice President of Launch Vehicle
SATOSHI NAKAYAMA
KEIJI ATSUTA
Director of the Board / Chief Operating Officer
Graduated from Kyushu University with a degree in Aerospace Engineering. After joining Mitsubishi Corporation, he was in charge of overseas sales and business investment in the automotive industry. While stationed overseas, he was transferred to an invested subsidiary and engaged in corporate planning and strategy development. He joined Frontier Management Inc., where he mainly formulated medium- to long-term strategies for small and medium-sized companies in the food manufacturing and restaurant industries and supported their implementation. He joined Interstellar Technologies Inc. in January 2022, and is responsible for business development, corporate planning, PR and marketing. He was appointed to the Board as COO in May 2024.
Director of the Board / Chief Operating Officer
KEIJI ATSUTA
TAKAHIRO TSUJI
Director of the Board / Chief Financial Officer
After graduating from the University of Tokyo with a degree in Economics, he joined the Development Bank of Japan, where he focused on financing space and aircraft manufacturers for 12 years. While overseeing client coverage for Japan and globally in heavy industry, he also held concurrent roles at a start-up rocket company, responsible for global business development and general administration. Additionally, he was seconded to the headquarters of the Dutch financial institution ING, engaging in global operations ranging from practical business matters to regional revitalization. In 2022, he founded HR-Rocket Co., Ltd., providing human capital and financial support primarily to Japanese space startups and agencies. As part of this support, he has been involved with Interstellar Technologies Inc. since April 2023 as a financial advisor and was appointed to the Board as CFO in May 2024.
Director of the Board / Chief Financial Officer
TAKAHIRO TSUJI
KAZUFUMI IKEMOTO
System Manager, Project Management Office
After graduating from Tokyo Institute of Technology, he worked as an engine test engineer at Honda R&D Co.,Ltd. He then joined Interstellar Technologies,
For MOMO, he was in charge of guidance control design and flight analysis. For ZERO, he is the systems manager responsible for overall rocket design analysis.
System Manager, Project Management Office
KAZUFUMI IKEMOTO
HITOMI ENDOH
Propulsion Group Manager
He studied combustion engineering at the Graduate School of Hokkaido University. After graduation, he worked as a construction manager in the shipbuilding industry, but later returned to Hokkaido, where he was born and raised. He has expertise in gas generators and injectors for rocket engines and serves as the Propulsion Group Manager.
Propulsion Group Manager
HITOMI ENDOH
SHOTA YAMANAKA
Turbopomp Group Manager
After graduating from the University of Tokyo, spent 6 years in rocket development at IHI Aerospace Inc. Experienced in overall rocket design, flight safety, and production engineering for Epsilon, SS-520, etc.
Turbopomp Group Manager
SHOTA YAMANAKA
NAOTO YAMAGISHI
Mechatronics & Structure Group Manager
After graduating from the University of Electro-Communications, he worked at Honda Motor Co., Ltd. for 13 years. He was a development manager of electronic throttle systems for large motorcycles. He joined Interstellar Technologies in December 2020 and was in charge of mechanical design and rocket equipment design for MOMO, and then served as Mechatronics & Structure Group Manager from 2023.
Mechatronics & Structure Group Manager
NAOTO YAMAGISHI
SHOTA KOTANI
Manufacturing Engineering Group Manager
After graduating from an industrial high school in Hokkaido, he worked for a dairy manufacturer. Wanting to use his skills as a production manager and machine operator in a different field, he joined Interstellar Technologies in 2020. He is Currently serve as a manager in production technology, manufacturing, assembly, equipment, and quality inspection.
Manufacturing Engineering Group Manager
SHOTA KOTANI
TETSU KATAGIRI
Talent Acquisition Group Manager
Graduated from Ritsumeikan University. After joining PERSOL CAREER Co. Ltd., he worked as the recruiting manager for the SIXPAD brand at MTG Co. Ltd.,
Then, he worked as the head of recruiting for Libry inc. He has been in his current position since July 2022.
Talent Acquisition Group Manager
TETSU KATAGIRI
KAZUKI SAKAKI
Project Management Office
He specialized in combustion physics of liquid rocket engine at the graduate school of the University of Tokyo. He joined Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency after finishing his Ph.D course. He engaged in the development of H3 lanch vehicle upper stage engine and LNG propulstion system research. He joined IST in 2023 ,and he is currently working on developments of propulsion systems for ZERO.
Project Management Office
KAZUKI SAKAKI
SUMIO MORIOKA
Senior Fellow
After receiving a Ph.D. degree in computer science from Osaka University in 1997, engaged in academic research of LSI design, cyber security and Cyber Physical Systems, and in development of famous commercial products such as the PlayStation Portable, at research laboratories of NTT Corporation, IBM Japan, Ltd., Sony Corporation, and NEC Corporation, respectively. Recipient of Sony MVP 2004 award etc. After that, he was stationed in London for 4 years at Imperial College London and NEC Europe in research, corporate planning and new business development. In 2016, he joined Interstellar Technologies and leads the corporate management and the research and development of on-board computer systems.
Senior Fellow
SUMIO MORIOKA
COMPANY PROFILE
| COMPANY | Interstellar Technologies Inc. |
|---|---|
| ESTABLISHMENT | January 2013 |
| REPRESENTATIVE | Takahiro Inagawa, Chief Executive Officer Satoshi Nakayama, Director of the Board / Vice President of Launch Vehicle Keiji Atsuta, Director of the Board / Chief Operating Officer Takahiro Tsuji, Director of the Board / Chief Financial Officer Takafumi Horie, Director of the Board Ken Uryu, External Director of the Board Satoshi Takechi, External Director of the Board Dai Tange, External Director of the Board Teruo Murakami, External Director of the Board |
| BUSINESS | Space Transportation Services |
| HEADQUATERS | 149-7, Memu, Taiki, Hiroo-gun, Hokkaido 089-2113, Japan |
| LOCATION | 690-4, Memu, Taiki, Hiroo-gun, Hokkaido 089-2113, Japan |
| BRANCHES | Tokyo Branch 6F, Tokyo East 21, 6-3-2, Toyo, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0016, Japan Fukushima Branch MIinamisoma Incubation Center, 45-245, Sukakeba, Kaibama, Haramachi-ku, Minamisoma, Fukushima 975-0036 Muroran Laboratory Muroran Institute of Technology, 27-1, Mizumoto-cho, Muroran, Hokkaido 050-8585, Japan Main Factory 149-6, Memu, Taiki, Hiroo-gun, Hokkaido 089-2113, Japan Factory 1 and 2 690-4, Memu, Taiki, Hiroo-gun, Hokkaido 089-2113 Urayasu Factory 28-21, 4-chome, Hokuei, Urayasu, Chiba 279-0002, Japan |
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