Rendering of Japan’s satellite constellation. Photo: Japanese Ministry of Defense

Japanese satellite imagery providers Axelspace and Synspective finalized agreements with SKY Perfect JSAT, Mitsui, and Mitsubishi Electric to provide optical and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery respectively to the Japan Ministry of Defense’s planned satellite constellation.

The Japan Ministry of Defense announced the five companies, along with Mitsui Bussan Aerospace and iQPS, last December as contract awardees to build the nation’s satellite constellation. Japan aims to launch a privately-run constellation capable of providing imagery for national defense purposes. Its contracted expenses to partner companies run up to a total of 283 billion yen ($1.8 billion).

Axelspace and Synspective are subcontracted to Tri-Sat Constellation, a special purpose company established by SKY Perfect JSAT, Mitsubishi Electric, and Mitsui for building Japan’s satellite constellation, to provide satellite imagery and related operational tasks through 2031.

Axelspace will serve as the sole provider of optical imagery among the partner companies. Its contract is worth 48 billion yen ($310 million).

“Based on the satellite development and operation technologies we have built to date, as well as our track record of stable image data provision, we aim to accurately address the needs of the national security field,” Axelspace President and CEO Yuya Nakamura commented.

Synspective noted that its contract for acquisition of image data from a satellite constellation and related is worth 105.6 billion yen ($681 million).

Both contracts run from February 19, 2026 to March 31, 2031.