Pacific Consultants and Synspective form a strategic partnership to address disaster prevention in Japan with SAR satellite data

Pacific Consultants Co., Ltd. and Synspective Inc. have formed a strategic partnership to collaborate on disaster prevention and mitigation efforts and ensure a more secure and sustainable Japan. We will combine our expertise to promote satellite data use and the development of new technologies and services in disaster prevention. With the power of creative thinking, action, and innovative technology, we aim to realize a sustainable world.

Providing new value for disaster-resilient and sustainable urban development with geospatial information technologies

With a 2030 vision of “Turning the power of technology into hope for the future”, Pacific Consultants aims to transcend consulting to create a sustainable world where humans and nature coexist with the power of creative thinking, action, and innovative technology. Furthermore, by making Japan more resilient, we will contribute to the development of a secure and sustainable society and achieve policy goals such as decarbonizing, as part of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In celebration of Pacific Consultant’s 70th anniversary this year, we will accelerate geospatial information business with satellite data to meet changing demands.

Synspective’s unique technology for developing small SAR satellites applies the results of the Innovative Research and Development Promotion Program (ImPact) *1 led by the Cabinet Office, which includes the first “Strix-a” satellite currently in orbit. We aim to build a full constellation of 30 SAR satellites by the late 2020s. We not only sell data obtained from our SAR satellites, but also analyze large amounts of data that combine satellites and IoT using data science and machine learning to provide solutions.

Pacific Consultants produces Japan’s top-class social infrastructure services from planning and research to design and management.  Synspective is a provider of a small SAR satellite constellation and satellite data solutions. Together, we will bring new value to building a secure and sustainable society that can adapt to land vulnerabilities and a rapidly changing global environment.

*1 ImPACT is a program led by the Cabinet Office that encourages high-risk, high-impact R&D. It aims to innovate in science and technology and bring about major changes in society and industry.

New disaster prevention and mitigation efforts

In recent years, as natural disasters have intensified and become more frequent due to the advent of climate change, managing and improving aging social and public infrastructures have become important issues in Japan. Additionally, Japan is risk-prone to various natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, and volcanoes due to its unique geography, climate, and topography. We will develop new technologies and provide new services for disaster and mitigation efforts by integrating expertise for building social infrastructure services and satellite data from satellite constellations with AI.

SAR satellite constellation for disaster prevention and mitigation efforts

SAR stands for “Synthetic Aperture Radar.” SAR satellites use microwaves to observe the shape of Earth’s terrains and structures. Microwaves can penetrate clouds, making the Earth’s surface visible under all climatological conditions. Both daytime and nighttime observation is possible, providing SAR satellites a ground surface acquisition potential of 100% capacity, surpassing optical satellites which operate at approximately 25% capacity.

Synspective aims to build a constellation of 30 satellites by the late 2020s, which includes the “Strix-a ” satellite already in orbit. With a full constellation in low Earth orbit, it will be possible to observe disaster locations anywhere in the world within two hours (in any area of Japan, within several minutes). By establishing its constellation, Synspective aims to use SAR satellites for disaster prevention and mitigation against natural disasters.