– Specifications and Verification Planning for Launch Site Subsystems –
SPACE COTAN Co., Ltd., operator of Hokkaido Spaceport (HOSPO), was selected in January 2025 for the Space Strategy Fund’s technology development initiative, “Ground-Based Technology for Launch Sites and Spaceports to Support High-Frequency Launches.” Since then, the company has been engaged in research and development of launch site infrastructure technologies designed to enable frequent launches.
The following provides an update on major activities as of December 2025.
① Quarterly Progress Meeting on the Space Strategy Fund Project
On November 20, the quarterly progress meeting for the Space Strategy Fund project (FY2025 Q2) was held at the Taiki Town Economic Center in a hybrid format, with both in-person and online participation.
Participants:
- Program Officer (PO): Mr. Naohiko Kotake
- PO Assistants: Ms. Naoko Yamazaki, Mr. Yoshinori Ueda, Mr. Ko Ogasawara, and Mr. Yoshiaki Tsuda
- Representatives from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
- Researchers from the representative organization and partner organizations
During the meeting, SPACE COTAN’s principal investigator and project managers reported on the study status of the overall HOSPO system. Partner organizations also presented the specifications, verification plans, and schedules for each subsystem, developed in accordance with the requirements defined in the first quarter.
The PO and PO Assistants provided questions and comments regarding HOSPO’s operational concept and the ongoing review of each technical challenge, leading to an active discussion on the project’s future direction.
Going forward, the project will transition to the design and component procurement phase based on the finalized specifications.
② Meteorological Data Collection Begins in Taiki Town to Advance Launch Weather Forecasting
As part of the Space Strategy Fund’s Phase 1 theme, “Ground-Based Technology for Launch Sites and Spaceports to Support High-Frequency Launches,” SPACE COTAN has begun collecting meteorological data in Taiki Town to support the development of advanced weather forecasting technologies.
In November, a 30-meter wind observation tower and multiple ground-based meteorological instruments were installed. The tower is equipped with sensors that measure wind direction, wind speed, and turbulence.
The collected data will be compiled and analyzed to advance the development of high-precision weather forecasting technologies.
③ Joint Technical Workshops with Partner Organizations IWAYA INC. and NEC Networks & System Integration Corporation
SPACE COTAN conducted joint technical workshops with IWAYA INC. and NEC Networks & System Integration Corporation, partner organizations under the Space Strategy Fund Phase 1 theme, “Ground-Based Technology for Launch Sites and Spaceports to Support High-Frequency Launches.”
The purpose of these workshops was to define specifications for a common radio system to be used in launch operations.
The first workshop, held from July 28 to 30 examined the operational processes of the common radio system for launch activities and organized the corresponding specifications based on the refined processes.
Following a detailed review of the initial specifications by each partner organization, the second workshop was held on October 20 and 21. In addition to identifying internal and external interfaces of the common radio system, the sessions facilitated information sharing and alignment among all participating organizations.
④ Participation in the Japan–U.S. (Florida) Space Industry Roundtable Advancing Collaboration with the State of
Florida in Spaceport Operations and Talent Exchange
On October 27, Yoshinori Odagiri, CEO of SPACE COTAN Co., Ltd., participated in the Japan–U.S. (Florida) Space Industry Roundtable held in Tokyo.
During the event, he presented the development status and future outlook of Hokkaido Spaceport (HOSPO), as well as ongoing initiatives to foster a space industry cluster centered around HOSPO.
The State of Florida—home to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and one of the world’s leading hubs for the space industry—plays a central role in global launch and spaceport activities.
Looking ahead, SPACE COTAN, together with the cross U, will strengthen collaboration with Florida, including its universities and related institutions, in areas such as spaceport operations and talent exchange.
⑤ Launch of a New Landing Page Introducing SPACE COTAN’s Space Strategy Fund Project
SPACE COTAN has launched a new landing page (LP) showcasing its research and development activities under the Space Strategy Fund.
The LP presents the project’s overall vision, the specific technologies being developed, and updates on SPACE COTAN’s ongoing initiatives.
We invite you to explore the page to learn more about our efforts.
Space Strategy Fund Project LP: https://spacecotan-ssf.com/en/
About Hokkaido Spaceport (HOSPO)
HOSPO is a commercial spaceport open to the private sector, located in Taiki, Japan. For more than 40 years, Taiki Town has aspired to be home to the aerospace industry and is regarded as one of the most suitable locations for a world-class spaceport, thanks to its considerable geographic advantages: open seas to the east and south for launch trajectories, and expansive land for future site expansion.
HOSPO’s suborbital launch site, Launch Complex 0 (LC0), is already operational, with private launch vehicles having reached space three times to date.
To realize its vision of creating a “Silicon Valley of Space,” development is underway on a new orbital launch site, Launch Complex 1 (LC1). Future plans include Launch Complex 2 (LC2) for high-frequency launches, Launch Complex X (LCX) for larger and human-rated launch vehicles, and a new 3,000 m runway for point-to-point transportation (P2P).
In October 2024, Taiki Town and SPACE COTAN signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), committing to expand international spaceport collaboration with seven commercial spaceports located across five continents. 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 to support high-frequency launches of various launch vehicles.
In another milestone, in July 2025, jtSPACE Co., Ltd., a Japanese sister company of Taiwanese firm, TiSPACE Inc., conducted the nation’s first suborbital rocket launch backed by overseas investment at HOSPO.
