These are Big Bang–sized opportunities! The smart, practical way to use space Space used to be just a realm of dreams and rare scientific exploration, but now that it is regard to small debris, which is difficult Although you may think space markets is possible if you can provide becoming a realistic business field, how should businesses proceed? to remove, another measure is to equipment needs higher performance solutions based on tested technologies We are looking at two companies for the answer: ASTROSCALE Pte. Ltd., which is a private determine the distribution and sizes of and is hard to develop, there is already and business models responding to the debris by using small satellites so existing equipment that can be used in needs.” Because small satellites have company working on the issue of removing space debris, and Weathernews Inc., which uses their as to prevent collisions in advance. space if they are protected against the been improved, entry into space own satellites to strengthen their services. A Japanese subsidiary which was environmental dangers of space, such business is possible without established as a base of research and as UV and radiation. The strength of astronomical expenses. development in April 2015 is making private companies is their ability to “In Europe, 200 companies were We tackle the challenges of Nobu Okada, CEO of the company, We were wondering if we could progress in the development of freely cooperate with companies of engaged in space ventures in 2013. But says “The amount of debris bigger than overcome the situation by developing space through flexible and satellites, aiming to launch satellites for various scales throughout a broad this increased by 100 companies in one 10 centimeters is thought to be in excess removal technologies and demonstrating effective development debris removal in 2017 and satellites for range of industries. Therefore, we want year, and the space industry is facing a of 20,000 pieces. That number is the methods and funding necessary to A massive amount of information, observation in the second half of 2016. to proceed with such development in a situation like that of the emerging increasing year after year, and it causes achieve our goals.” including broadcasting and President Miki Ito has made the flexible and effective manner.” Internet in the 1990s. damage, such as collisions with communication signals, weather and Astroscale has two strategies in mind. following statement: The key points of entry into spacecraft and the malfunctions in As more companies enter into this current geographical positions is being One method is to burn and dispose of space ventures are making satellites. Although it is certain that the large debris by using small “Japan is more concerned with the industry, it will only increase in vitality. transmitted to us through satellites in removal of debris is necessary, every satellites to allow the debris to issues of debris than other countries strong resolutions and However, if you want to utilize space for space, and space is already a part of country is slow to proceed with the re-enter the atmosphere. In are. In addition, in Japan, there are establishing business plans business, you need to make a the essential infrastructure of our daily measures for doing so because the many companies which have superior Astroscale has followed business plans resolution to commercialize it by taking lives. An increasing number of cost for removal is unclear and there technologies that are contributing to steadily since its establishment in 2013. the initiative in finding capital without companies are using space as a field are issues with the financial burden and solving the issue. Mr. Okada says, “Financing from depending on support such as and means of business. Astroscale is a establishment of rules. Singapore-based company, which works on the issue of space debris. 12 METI Journal The smart, practical way to use space METI Journal 13 (Left) Mr. Nobu Okada CEO, ASTROSCALE PTE. LTD. SPACE The use of space is BUISINESS Graduated from the Faculty of Agriculture, the University of Tokyo. Completed MBA at Purdue 2 University. Established new business abroad an effective choice after gaining work experience at the Ministry of Finance and McKinsey & Company, and established ASTROSCALE Pte. Ltd. for business. (Right) Ms. Miki Ito President, Astroscale Japan Inc. Circle, on the sea, and high in the issues such as a capacity shortage for Completed the master’s course in aerospace mountains. Furthermore, the company frequency control. In the meantime, as engineering at the Graduate School of Nihon can understand the conditions of the small satellite performance is improving University. Participated in the Hodoyoshi Project and engaged in the development of the sea and ground surfaces through both and the growth of space-related HODOYOSHI-3 and -4. images and the reflection of radio venture companies is being seen waves. The company has around the world, the environment is CLICK! ASTROSCALE PTE. LTD. comprehensively considered the becoming ripe for private companies to advantages of having its own satellites have their own satellites. We will for its business of providing weather improve the precision and function of information and associated solutions, the planned satellite, and we will also and so it decided to launch the satellite. consider new applications such as company plans to launch a new, even Dr. Yamamoto talked about his visions using our satellites for communication SPACE Confronting the worldwide more precise satellite within a year. with ships.” When appropriate business BUISINESS for the future: “As long as there is Satellites provide choice in issue of space debris with information which we can get only from models are applied to achieve specific 1 responding to the needs of our needs-based goals, space-based space, it is certain that the use of space Dr. Masaya Yamamoto our own technologies. customers will be an effective choice for business. enterprises can be profitable. In the future, space will become a more Director, Weathernews Inc. Dr. Yamamoto is of the opinion that For the future, it will be necessary for Completed doctoral program of when considering the use of space for the government to proceed with common facet of businesses. Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the Graduate School of subsidies. So, in addition to the Yamamoto, a director of the company, business, one must give the highest establishing systems that can handle Engineering, the University of Tokyo. Completed doctoral degrees at the same physical technologies, strategies and explains the advantages: “Although priority to the needs of customers. graduate school. Entered Weathernews business plans are also essential. And, there were other satellites from external Inc. after receiving work experience in Once those needs are understood, one Space Systems Div., Hitachi, Ltd. I think that it is important to maintain an organizations which could provide should investigate the time and cost positive attitude in gaining technologies, high-precision images, the per-image requirements for developing satellites, CLICK! Weathernews Inc. human resources and funds by cost was high. Having our own satellites and only consider use of space as an leveraging various opportunities from a allows us to get a lot of quality option if one is truly able to leverage the global point of view despite any barriers information while reducing the costs. specific information obtained from which may exist between the public and Also, having our own source of space. By using satellites, the company private sectors.” information allows us to strengthen risk can collect information from a wider 7000 nm Supporting safe operation in management.” area and it is easier to get information 7600 nm the Arctic Ocean based on The satellite was the world’s first private from terrestrial locations where it is information from satellites. weather satellite which succeeded in difficult to set up observation providing weather images. The instruments, such as within the Arctic Europe There is another company which aims Europe to strengthen its current business by Tokyo Ice in the Arctic Ocean melts, and the leveraging space. That company is shortest routes to the east coast of North Weathernews, a company that provides 11000 nm America and Europe form Asia are open. weather information. The company <Left> Ice of the Arctic Ocean melts due to the rise of sea water temperature, and as a observes, analyzes and predicts world result, the Northern Sea Route opens. It weather, jointly with companies makes the distance significantly shorter compared with conventional routes via the overseas including those in France and Suez Canal or the Cape of Good Hope. China, and provides global services. 15000 nm <Above> Weathernews satellite pictures of the condition of sea ice in Canada’s Since 2008, the company has also Hudson Bay implemented Polar Routeing Service to navigate ships through the Arctic Ocean based on information from Nano-/Micro-satellites offer highest flexibility suitable satellites and other sources. The for various customer needs Northern Sea Route has an advantage Nano-/Micro-satellites have enabled private possible ground resolution available for of reducing fuel costs because it companies to use space for their various state-of-the-art Earth observation satellites enables ships to take the shortest route business purposes thanks to their low are not necessary, leading to significant cost from countries in Europe to Japan, for development cost, which is just 1% of savings while still meeting the particular conventional satellites. Their rapid needs of Weathernews. I am sure that the example. However, sea ice presents improvement of performance also helped a capability to satisfy such specific customer significant risks. The company supports Source: Professor Toshiya Hanada, Kyushu University lot. The satellite currently in joint needs is also a unique advantage of nano-/ development by Weathernews and micro-satellites.