NTT and SKY Perfect JSAT conclude collaboration agreement on new space enterprise to aid realization of a sustainable society

May 20, 2021

　NTT Corporation and SKY Perfect JSAT Holdings Inc. (SKY Perfect JSAT, Representative Director, President : Eiichi Yonekura) announced that the parties have agreed to jointly work together with the goal of creating a new space enterprise to aid realization of a sustainable society, and accordingly concluded a business collaboration agreement on May 19, 2021. NTT, which has global computing network technology and is working on the implementation of IOWN, and SKY Perfect JSAT, which has abundant technology and achievements in the space business including satellite communication and satellite broadcasting for more than 30 years, will collaborate to build a new space infrastructure through innovation in a space integrated computing network, thereby helping to realize a sustainable society.

1．Background of the business collaboration

　There is a pressing need to ensure the sustainability of economic and social activity, which makes it more important than ever to utilize outer space effectively and to the greatest extent possible. This involves ICT infrastructures for a variety of fields, such as energy, environment and climate change, disaster prevention, and smart cities. Novel technologies and architectures are needed to build these ICT infrastructures in outer space.

　 NTT and SKY Perfect JSAT have proceeded with studies and discussions toward the realization of an ICT infrastructures in outer space, and have reached the conclusion of this business alliance agreement.

　NTT, which has global terrestrial infrastructures and is dedicated to making the IOWN concept a reality, and SKY Perfect JSAT, which has abundant technology and achievements in the space business including satellite communication and satellite broadcasting for more than 30 years, will together take on the challenge of building a novel space integrated computing network to create the infrastructure needed for a sustainable society.

2．Space integrated computing network

　The space integrated computing network is a novel infrastructure to be built by combining NTT’s network/computing infrastructure and SKY Perfect JSAT’s space assets/business. It integrates multiple orbits from the ground to HAPS floating at high altitude, Low Earth Orbits and Geostationary Orbits. In addition, they are connected to the ground by an optical wireless communication networks to form a constellation, and distributed computing enhances various data processing. It also provides access to terrestrial mobile devices for ultra-wide service coverage. 

Fig. 1: Configuration of the space integrated computing network

3．Examples of business projects

　The activities envisaged in this business collaboration and currently planned project examples are shown below.

Fig. 2: Fields to be addressed in the space integrated computing network

① Space sensing project: terrestrial and space sensing data integration platform

In addition to observation data captured by conventional observation satellites, we will establish an integrated space and earth sensing platform that uses the world's first low earth orbit satellite MIMO*1 technology to collect data from IoT terminals installed around the earth and provide a service using this platform. Furthermore, we will develop a new sensing technology that uses terahertz radio waves to visualize information that would ordinarily be invisible, thereby enhancing the value of space data and expanding its potential use. 

② Space data center project: high-capacity communication/computing platform

Using photonics-electronics convergence technology which enables reducing power consumption and high cosmic ray resistance of computing resource, we will establish a computing processing platform in outer space and launch a service using this platform. In addition, distributed computing using optical communication technology enables a variety of advanced data processing. For example, a huge volume of diverse data collected in outer space will be instantly gathered and analyzed over a high-speed optical communication network, and only essential information will be delivered to users who need that information. This will dramatically enhance both real-time usage of space data and user convenience.

③ Space RAN (Radio Access Network) project: communication platform in Beyond5G/6G

Using a satellite (Low Earth Orbit) and HAPS expected to be used for Beyond5G/6G, we will establish a mobile communication platform and use it to launch an access service of network. This will further enhance the convenience and value of mobile communication. For example, a high-reliability messaging service can be provided, and ultra-wide-area service coverage can be achieved.

４．Division of roles

Company

Main roles

NTT 

Leading-edge computing technology (AI processing, distributed processing/memory, etc.), network technology (MIMO*1, FSO*2, etc.), and global networks/data centers 

SKY Perfect JSAT 

Knowledge and industrial leadership as a satellite operator, such as optimization in the economics and reliability of satellite and control systems, procedures for frequency usage and radio station licenses, and satellite and network operations. 

*1　MIMO（multiple-input and multiple-output）:A technique for multiplying the capacity of a radio link using multiple transmission and receiving antennas to improve the quality of wireless communication. 

*2　FSO（Free Space Optics）:An optical communication technology that uses light propagating in free space. 

5．Future prospects 

　We will conduct technical demonstrations beginning in 2022 to develop technologies that will lay the foundation for these projects. In parallel, we will prepare for the launch of commercial satellites, which will be planned to start its commercial services from around 2025.

　We aim to create businesses that spearhead space development both in Japan and worldwide by collaborating with global space and satellite operators and co-creating innovations.

 Fig. 3: Assumed schedule for service provision

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