~ Successfully Verifies Operation of Key Rocket Systems ~
jtSPACE Co., Ltd., a Japanese sister company of a Taiwanese rocket development company launched its suborbital rocket “VP01” from the Hokkaido Spaceport (HOSPO) at 11:40 on Saturday, July 12.
VP01 reached an altitude of 4 km, and the operation verification was completed for several rocket systems, including launch platform, stage separation, and re-ignition of the second stage.
The rocket’s first stage is currently being recovered. The second stage was terminated after separation, as it was determined that the mission could no longer proceed. It landed within the designated safety zone, on municipal land near the Toberi River, less than 1 km north of the launch site. jtSPACE will conduct a detailed investigation.
jtSPACE Co., Ltd., sister company of a Taiwanese entity tiSPACE (Taiwan Innovative Space Inc.), is a local Japanese entity that aims to develop a space transportation business in Japan. The purpose of this launch test was to reach VP01 to an altitude of about 100 km, verify each performance of the rocket, and support the development of an orbital launch vehicle capable of carrying a satellite.
This is the first launch of a rocket reaching outer space at an altitude of 100 km in HOSPO in four years, since the MOMO F6 of Interstellar Technologies Inc. (Taiki Town) in July 2021. The launch of jtSPACE was the first launch backed by a foreign capital in Japan.
Launch Overview (according to preliminary report)
- Launch Date: 11:40 Saturday, July 12, 2025
- Launch Site: Hokkaido Spaceport, Launch Complex 1 – Launch Pad 12（LC1-LP12）
- Launch Vehicle: Suborbital Rocket VP01
- Direction of Launch: East-Southeast
- Reached Altitude: 4km
- Weather at the Time of Launch: Sunny
About the rocket
- Name: 2-stage suborbital rocket “VP01”
- Total Length: 12m
- Diameter: 0.6m
- Weight: 1.4t
- Engine: Hybrid system using synthetic rubber as solid fuel and nitrous oxide (N2O) as oxidizer
- Thrust: first stage; 6,500 kgf, second stage; 1,100 kgf
- Maximum altitude: Approximately 100km
About jtSPACE Co., Ltd.
- Representative: Yung-Yu Liu, President and CEO
- Location: 3-700-8, Shinko-minami, Ishikari City, Hokkaido, Japan
- Business Overview: Providing integrated space transportation solutions from launch vehicle development, manufacturing, and launch services by utilizing proprietary hybrid rocket propulsion system technology.Website: https://www.jtspace.co.jp/
About Taiki Town
- Representative: Yutaka Kurokawa, Mayor
- Location: 33 Higashihon-dori, Taiki Town, Hiroo District, Hokkaido, Japan
- Overview: A town with a population of 5,300 where agriculture, fishing, and forestry are the core industries. The town was recognized as suitable for an aerospace base in 1984 and has been promoting the development of the “Town of Space” for about 40 years since then. In 2022, construction began on “Launch Complex 1 (LC1)”, a dedicated launch site for small satellite launch vehicles. The goal is to create an aerospace industry hub and ecosystem with Hokkaido Spaceport as its core.
- Website: https://www.town.taiki.hokkaido.jp
About SPACE COTAN Co., Ltd.
- Representative: Yoshinori Odagiri, President and CEO
- Location: 98 Nishihondori, Taiki Town, Hiroo District, Hokkaido
- Business Overview: Overall promotion of HOSPO project based on mandate from the Taiki town, and operation of HOSPO. Website: https://hokkaidospaceport.com/
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 launch vehicles have reached space three times in the past. To realize the vision of “creating an aerospace industry hub 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.
