Rendering of Aerospacelab satellite platform for JAXA. Photo: Aerospacelab

The Japan Exploration Agency (JAXA) has selected Aerospacelab, in partnership with Mitsui Bussan Aerospace (MBA), to supply the satellite platform to host JAXA’s SAMRAI payload in a demonstration mission. 

This is Aerospacelab’s first work with both MBA and JAXA. Aerospacelab is based in Belgium and has operations in Europe and the U.S. 

Aerospacelab said that the “commercial agreement was made possible through the strategic support of Mitsui Bussan Aerospace,” and noted the deal marks an expansion into new markets. 

According to JAXA, the SAMRAI mission, which stands for Scanning Array for hyper-Multispectral RAdiowave Imaging, is a small demonstration satellite equipped with a microwave observation sensor. It will demonstrate next-generation microwave observation technology that can make observations in both ultra-wideband and high frequency resolution.

Aerospacelab said more details about the mission will be available in coming months. 

“This partnership with Mitsui Bussan Aerospace and JAXA represents a major milestone for us”, said Benoît Deper, CEO of Aerospacelab. “Being selected and recognized as a trusted partner by JAXA is a tremendous honor and a clear endorsement of our technology, innovation, and commitment to delivering competitive, high-performance spacecraft.