News Releases

Space Compass initiates feasibility study to commercialize telecom and on-orbit data processing for post-ISS Japanese Module

Sep 26, 2023

Tokyo, Japan, September 26, 2023

Space Compass Corporation (Space Compass) today announced that, as part of the project led by Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (Mitsui) to conduct the feasibility study of operating the successor to the International Space Station (ISS) Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo", the company will initiate the study to commercialize telecommunication and on-orbit data processing for the post-ISS Japanese successor module.

Mitsui was selected by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to conduct a concept study of a Japanese module to be connected to a US commercial space station. The study looks to the post-retirement of ISS, which is expected around 2030, to examine the feasibility of the successor to the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo" in collaboration with multiple partners. *1

As one of Mitsui’s partner companies, Space Compass will study the key element of the “Kibo” successor module as below.

　①Optical communication services between “Kibo” successor module and Earth
　②On-orbit data center services for data processing inside of “Kibo” successor module

This research project aims to reveal undiscovered value of what we can create from the ISS successor, by utilizing its capability of placing relatively-high performing processor and storing real-time data, such as experiment data, and by using optical communication for high-capacity transmission such as with ground stations, earth observation satellites and exploration probes.

Space Compass’s vision of "Space Integrated Computing Network" is to integrate and process various space networks using innovative communication and computing technologies. By bridging the non-terrestrial networks and terrestrial networks, such integration will provide values that leverage on the strengths of each network, and our participation in this study of utilizing post ISS network will further accelerate the realization of our vision.

■ About Space Compass Corporation
Space Compass is a joint venture company between NTT, Japanese Information and Communications Technology (ICT) leader, and SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation, Asia’s largest satellite operator. We will launch a Space Integrated Computing Network to support the realization of a sustainable society. We are committed to improving our service by utilizing innovative technology including NTT’s IOWN. For more information, visit our corporate website, https://space-compass.com

 ^{*1 Press Release by Mitsui dated September 14, 2023: “Mitsui selected to conduct a concept study of Japanese module”
https://www.mitsui.com/jp/en/topics/2023/1247313_13949.html}