SPACE COTAN Co., Ltd. (SPACE COTAN), which operates Hokkaido Spaceport (HOSPO), a commercial spaceport open to the private sector in Asia, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Innovative Space Carrier Inc. (ISC) for the development and utilization of the launch site.
ISC is a startup that aims to establish a reusable space transportation system. Its corporate vision is: “A world where people and cargo are delivered every day. We want to make such a world a reality in space.” The company plans to develop a reusable vehicle for satellite launches by the late 2020s and to establish an internationally competitive, crewed space transportation system by 2040.
The first flight test of their “ASCA 1” rocket series is scheduled to take place in the U.S. by the end of 2025. Meanwhile, the company is also evaluating potential domestic launch sites in preparation for future launch tests in Japan, and has signed the MOU with SPACE COTAN as part of that effort.
Under the MOU, SPACE COTAN and ISC will exchange information to develop a launch site operation plan for the launch of “ASCA1.2”, the first test vehicle at HOSPO.
Outline of the MOU
The following is an overview of the launch mission covered by the MOU.
Technical information will be shared, and feasibility studies will be conducted to develop a launch site operation plan.
- Launch Vehicle: ASCA1.2 test vehicle No.1
- Mission Overview: Launch, orbit insertion, and recovery of the first stage of the ASCA1.2 test vehicle designed to carry a small satellite in the 100 kg class.
About Innovative Space Carrier Inc.
- Representative: Kojiro Hatada, CEO
- Location: 1-4-1, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Business Overview: Planning and development toward the commercialization of an innovative space transportation system.
- Website: https://innovative-space-carrier.co.jp/
About SPACE COTAN Co., Ltd.
- Representative: Yoshinori Odagiri, President and CEO
- Location: 98 Nishihondori, Taiki Town, Hiroo, Hokkaido
- Business Overview: Overall promotion of HOSPO project based on mandate from the Taiki town, and operation of HOSPO.
- Website: https://hokkaidospaceport.com/
Kojiro Hatada, CEO of Innovative Space Carrier Inc.
I am very pleased that we have reached an agreement to move forward with concrete discussions toward a rocket launch at HOSPO. I have visited the Tokachi area many times for combustion tests and even had the opportunity to give a lecture there. Through this agreement, we will deepen our technical collaboration and hope to contribute, even in a small way, to the revitalization of the region centered around HOSPO.
Yoshinori Odagiri, President and CEO of SPACE COTAN CO., LTD.
We are very pleased to sign the MOU for the launch of ISC’s ASCA 1.2 test vehicle from HOSPO. Under this MOU, we will work with ISC to develop a launch site operation plan and support the company’s progress toward realizing an internationally competitive, crewed space transportation system. In addition, we will contribute to the development of the space industry and regional revitalization by supporting various launch service providers for high frequency launches of various types of rockets at HOSPO, taking advantage of the location of Taiki, Hokkaido, which is ideal for rocket launches.
About Hokkaido Spaceport (HOSPO)
HOSPO is a commercial spaceport open to the private sector in Asia, which was established in Taiki, Japan.
Taiki Town has been attracting the aerospace industry for 40 years, and is said to be one of the most suitable locations for a world-class spaceport due to its geographical advantages, such as an expansive sea to the east and south for launching, and a large land area that allows for high expansion of the launch site. The suborbital launch site “LC0” is already in operation, and private rockets have reached space three times in the past. To realize the vision of “creating an aerospace industry cluster and ecosystem,” developments are underway on a new orbital launch site “LC1.”
In October 2024, Taiki Town and SPACE COTAN signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), committing to expand international spaceport collaboration with eight commercial spaceports located across five continents. In order to meet the growing demand for launches, SPACE COTAN will explore potential strategic partnerships aimed at establishing international spaceport standards.
Furthermore, SPACE COTAN was selected in January 2025 for the Japanese government’s Space Strategy Fund and will use the funding to develop ground-based technologies that support high-frequency launches of various launch vehicles.
