Sky Perfect JSAT is investing in Astroscale as part of a strategic partnership between the companies to work together on on-orbit servicing initiatives.
Through the partnership announced Tuesday, the companies will cooperate on on-orbit servicing initiatives led by Astroscale, including satellite inspection, repair, and life-extension, and plan to work together jointly on new business.
Sky Perfect JSAT did not disclose the specific terms of the investment. As the largest satellite operator in Japan, Sky Perfect JSAT has deep experience in satellite operations, but has also expanded its business into Earth Observation (EO), national security, and the Space Compass joint venture with NTT.
Eiichi Yonekura, president and CEO of SKY Perfect JSAT said the operator aims to make on-orbit servicing a new growth area for the company in the medium- to long-term, alongside communications and EO.
“As the utilization of space continues to expand rapidly, we believe the industry is shifting from simply launching and operating satellites to an era in which satellites are maintained, extended, and enhanced in orbit. On-orbit servicing is a core technology that will support this transformation and has the potential to fundamentally reshape the space industry in the future,” Yonekura commented.
Via Satellite recently interviewed Yonekura for a “Live in the Booth” interview during SATShow Week about Sky Perfect JSAT’s growth plans in EO and its investments in startups.
