Axelspace Corporation has secured a contract to supply optical satellite imagery for the Japanese Ministry of Defense’s new satellite constellation project.
The agreement was made with Tri-Sat Constellation and Mitsui Bussan Aerospace.
Tri-Sat Constellation, the main contractor for the project, is a special-purpose company formed by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation, and Mitsui & Co.
The consortium also includes Synspective and the Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space.
Including all partners, the project as a whole is valued at over 283 billion yen ($1.8 billion) and covers the acquisition of satellite image data, operation of dedicated ground facilities, and overall management and related tasks.
It is set to run from this month through March 31, 2031.
Under the framework, Axelspace’s contract is valued at more than 48 billion yen ($301 million), positioning the company as the sole provider of optical imagery for the initiative. The firm will use its satellites to collect the required data.
Moreover, the satellite constellation project is structured as a Private Finance Initiative, allowing private companies to operate the constellation while providing imagery to support Japan’s stand-off defense capabilities.
Boosting Space Capabilities
Space capabilities are emerging as a defense priority for Tokyo, with satellite communications highlighted as a key component of the country’s Space Domain Defense Guidelines.
Reflecting this priority, earlier this month, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation won a contract to build a next-generation defense satellite.
The satellite will carry a digital communications payload capable of dynamically adjusting its beam coverage during missions, helping ensure that critical units stay connected at all times.
Traditional military satellites typically rely on fixed coverage zones and pre-assigned bandwidth, which can limit flexibility in responding to changing battlefield conditions.
The new system aims to overcome these limitations by enabling more adaptive, responsive communication support.
