Interstellar Technologies Secures Additional ¥ 1.4 Billion From Japanese Government

February 21, 2025

Interstellar Technologies Inc. securement of  ¥ 1.4 billion in additional funding under the Small Business Innovation Research (henceforth “SBIR”) program granted by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan.

The SBIR is a 3 phased governmental program aimed to promote the implementation of advanced technologies developed by startups in Japan. Interstellar was selected in September 2023 under the space section focused on the “Development and Demonstration of Private Launch Vehicles” were the company received up to ¥2 billion in funding for Phase 1. After passing the review for Phase 2 in September 2024, another maximum of ¥4.6 billion were awarded. The current additional funding was approved by a Review Committee of experts to accelerate the project and ensure the achievement of the program’s goals*2. Including the funds of the previous phases the total amount has reached a maximum of  ¥ 8 billion.

The demand for small satellite launches has grown nearly 20 times, from 141 in 2016 to 2,860 in 2023 (*3). In response, the United States and China conducted 158 and 68 launches respectively in 2024, while Japan's launch frequency remains limited to only 7 per year (*4).

To address this, the Japanese government has set a goal to secure around 30 domestic launches per year by the early 2030s to meet diverse domestic and international launch demands (*5). By developing ZERO, a low-cost, high-frequency orbital class launch vehicle, Interstellar aims to expand Japan’s access to space while providing internationally competitive space transportation services.

 *1 Exchange rate:  ＄1 = ¥150.1

 *2 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology website (Japanese):  

 *3 Source: Bryce Tech

 *4 Gunter's Space Page https://space.skyrocket.de/index.html

 *5 Space Strategy Fund Basic Policy

ZERO Orbital Class Launch Vehicle Specifications

 ● Height: 32 m

 ● Diameter: 2.3 m

 ● Launch Mass: 71 ton

 ● Fuel: Liquid Bio-methane Oxidizer: Liquid Oxygen

 ● Number of Engines: 1st Stage x 9, 2nd Stage x 1

 ● Payload Capacity: LEO 800 kg