Latest news with #ShunsukeOnishi
Yomiuri Shimbun
25-06-2025
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Southwest Japan's Challenges: Signs of Growth / Kyushu's Space Industry Blasts Off Into A Bright Future
With the future of the Kyushu region, as well as Yamaguchi and Okinawa prefectures, in mind, this series takes an in-depth look at industries in those regions with growth potential. This is the first installment in a five-part series. Somewhere in the suburbs of Fukuoka City stands a large, aging warehouse, surrounded by houses and other buildings. One day in late April, with special permission, I entered inside, a wide open space that feels like a secret base, and discovered its secret: a giant satellite antenna that may represent the future of Japan's space industry. The Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS), a Fukuoka City-based space venture firm with roots in Kyushu University, renovated the warehouse and has been operating it at full capacity as a research and development center since March. On the day I visited, iQPS staffers were preparing a small Earth observation satellite for shipment to New Zealand, from where it would soon be launched. 'If we can observe Earth essentially in real-time, we can eliminate a lot of anxiety about disasters and other problems,' said Shunsuke Onishi, the 39-year-old president of iQPS, which has been turning heads in Japan and around the world. 'We want to revolutionize the space industry from here in Kyushu.' The satellite was successfully launched on May 17. The satellite will perform preliminary functions for a few months before beginning full-scale commercial operations. Currently, iQPS operates three commercial satellites, but the company intends to expand this network to 24 satellites within three years and eventually to a total of 36. This will enable its satellites to observe almost every location on the planet once every 10 minutes, send data back to Earth and track the movements of people and objects.80% of components made locally Tetsuo Yasaka, an 83-year-old professor emeritus at Kyushu University, and two colleagues around the same age who had been involved in the space industry for many years founded iQPS in 2005. Onishi, who had been a student of Yasaka's, joined the company in 2013 and became its president about six months later. The company was first listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market in December 2023. Most of the data they glean from their satellites is sold to the government, but iQPS also is pushing ahead with efforts to expand sales to clients in the private sector. A synthetic aperture radar on the company's satellites fires radio waves at Earth's surface, then captures and analyzes those that bounce back to create a three-dimensional image of conditions on the ground. These radar systems, capable of determining the conditions in units of just a few millimeters, are not affected by weather conditions and can operate even at night. The power required to emit the radio waves is generated by solar panels that cover much of each satellite's body. An antenna, which unfolds in space, amplifies radio wave output. Most of these components were made in small factories in the Kyushu region. About 20 companies from Fukuoka and Nagasaki prefectures and elsewhere have cooperated with this project, resulting in about 80% of the satellite parts being manufactured in Kyushu. Ogawa Material Handling Co., a company based in Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture, has been involved with iQPS since the development of its first satellite. 'This project is turning a profit, and space-related technologies and businesses are steadily becoming established in Kyushu,' said Ogawa Vice President Shinji Ito, 50. International competition is heating up in the satellite development field. In March, the decision was made to grant iQPS about ¥8.4 billion from a Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency fund, which will be used to accelerate its development efforts. Room for growth Satellite performance and technology have made great strides in recent years. Launching multiple small satellites and having them work together as a 'satellite constellation' has become increasingly common. Reducing the size of satellites has brought down development costs, which once ran into tens of billions of yen, to between tens of millions and a few billion yen. This has opened the door for emerging startups to join the industry, including iQPS. The World Economic Forum, a private Swiss think tank, estimates that the global space market in 2035 could be worth about ¥270 trillion — about triple its size in 2023. In addition to Earth observation services, this would cover a wide spectrum of fields, including communications, space travel and exploration. The use of satellite data has enormous room for growth. Advanced technologies are needed to utilize satellite data. New Space Intelligence Inc. (NSI), a company founded in 2021 and based in Ube, Yamaguchi Prefecture, saw an opening in the market because much of this data cannot easily be tapped now. NSI selects and processes data into a form that is easy to use and then provides this information to customers. 'Satellite data is very versatile and can be useful in all sorts of industries,' said NSI President Yumiko Nagai, 50, who previously worked as a researcher. 'There will come a day when most companies have their own satellites.' Kyushu's advantage The Kyushu region is home to the Uchinoura Space Center in the town of Kimotsuki, Kagoshima Prefecture, from which the nation's small Epsilon rockets blast off; and the Tanegashima Space Center, also in the prefecture, from which its mainstay H3 rockets launch. JAXA operates both facilities. The Kyushu region's two launch facilities give it an edge that is widely believed to offer the foundations for the region to firmly establish itself as a hub of the space industry. In Oita Prefecture, Oita Airport aims to become a 'spaceport' at which spaceships can land and take off. U.S. space company Sierra Space Corp. is considering using the airport as a landing site for its spaceplanes when they return to Earth after delivering supplies to the International Space Station and other locations. Japan Airlines Co., MUFG Bank, Ltd. and other companies also are participating in initiatives that envision making the airport a hub for space travel. More launches However, the number of space launches in Japan has struggled to grow. No satellites have been launched from the Uchinoura Space Center since a failed attempt in 2022, and only three H3 rockets got off the ground in 2024. 'If there was about one launch per week, the surrounding area would thrive and the space industry's base would expand,' said Kyushu Institute of Technology Prof. Cho Mengu, who has researched mini satellites for many years. Almost 200 students have studied under Cho. In the past 10 years, the institute has operated about 30 small satellites, making it one of the world's leading academic satellite operators. 'Kyushu by itself has the potential to spawn about 50 space-related companies in the next five years,' Cho said. 'Universities and local governments should work together, because if we create an environment in which setting up such businesses becomes easier, Kyushu could become 'a place close to space' in a very real sense.'
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rocket Lab Successfully Launches Second Mission for iQPS in Rapid 25 Day Turnaround
MAHIA, New Zealand, June 11, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB) ("Rocket Lab" or "the Company"), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today successfully launched its 66th Electron to deploy the latest satellite to orbit for Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS) – Rocket Lab's second launch in less than a month for iQPS and its fourth overall with 100% mission success. 'The Mountain God Guards' mission lifted-off from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand at 15:31 UTC on June 11th to deploy a single synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging satellite named QPS-SAR-11 (nicknamed YAMATSUMI-I for the Japanese god of mountains) to a 575km circular Earth orbit for iQPS. The mission is the latest in a series of dedicated Electron launches for iQPS to develop its Earth-imaging constellation providing high resolution images and Earth monitoring services globally. With this mission, Electron has now deployed half of iQPS's constellation of satellites operating on orbit. These include the 'The Moon God Awakens' that was successfully launched in December 2023; and 'The Lightning God Reigns', 'The Sea God Sees', and now 'The Mountain God Guards', each deployed in the first half of 2025 . Another four dedicated missions with QPS-SAR satellites are scheduled to launch on Electron across the remainder of this year and 2026, making Rocket Lab the most relied-upon launch provider to accelerate the build out of iQPS's constellation with repeatability and precision. Rocket Lab Founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck, says: "The Electron team has delivered another flawless launch and satellite deployment for iQPS, for the second time in 25 days – an outstanding display of the reliability and agility that makes Electron the leader in dedicated small launch. The rapid turnaround in launches and precise orbital deployment achieved for this latest iQPS mission is also a fantastic example of the benefits of dedicated launch for constellation deployment on Electron. We're looking forward to delivering on this again and again for the line-up of Electron launches this year and next in our multi-launch contract with iQPS. iQPS CEO, Dr. Shunsuke Onishi, says: "Following the successful launch of our 10th satellite, we are deeply grateful to Rocket Lab team for the smooth deployment of QPS-SAR-11 YAMATSUMI-I into orbit. This achievement is entirely thanks to the Rocket Lab team's ability to deliver precise and agile launches. We are truly pleased to see our satellites being placed into orbit one after another, marking significant progress toward building our satellite constellation. With three more launches planned this year, we will continue to work closely with our partner companies to steadily advance the development and production of our satellites." "The Mountain God Guards" was Rocket Lab's eighth Electron mission of 2025 and its 66th launch overall. Rocket Lab's next Electron mission is scheduled to launch from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in just a few days' time. Launch images: Launch webcast: About Rocket Lab Founded in 2006, Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company with an established track record of mission success. We deliver reliable launch services, satellite manufacture, spacecraft components, and on-orbit management solutions that make it faster, easier, and more affordable to access space. Headquartered in Long Beach, California, Rocket Lab designs and manufactures the Electron small orbital launch vehicle, a family of spacecraft platforms, and the Company is developing the large Neutron launch vehicle for constellation deployment. Since its first orbital launch in January 2018, Rocket Lab's Electron launch vehicle has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered over 200 satellites to orbit for private and public sector organizations, enabling operations in national security, scientific research, space debris mitigation, Earth observation, climate monitoring, and communications. Rocket Lab's spacecraft platforms have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars, as well as the first private commercial mission to Venus. Rocket Lab has three launch pads at two launch sites, including two launch pads at a private orbital launch site located in New Zealand and a third launch pad in Virginia. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding our launch and space systems operations, launch schedule and window, safe and repeatable access to space, Neutron development, operational expansion and business strategy are forward-looking statements. The words "believe," "may," "will," "estimate," "potential," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "expect," "strategy," "future," "could," "would," "project," "plan," "target," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, though not all forward-looking statements use these words or expressions. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the factors, risks and uncertainties included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), accessible on the SEC's website at and the Investor Relations section of our website at which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent management's estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change. View source version on Contacts Rocket Lab Media ContactMurielle Bakermedia@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Wire
11-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Rocket Lab Successfully Launches Second Mission for iQPS in Rapid 25 Day Turnaround
MAHIA, New Zealand--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB) ('Rocket Lab' or 'the Company'), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today successfully launched its 66 th Electron to deploy the latest satellite to orbit for Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS) – Rocket Lab's second launch in less than a month for iQPS and its fourth overall with 100% mission success. 'The Mountain God Guards' mission lifted-off from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand at 15:31 UTC on June 11 th to deploy a single synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging satellite named QPS-SAR-11 (nicknamed YAMATSUMI-I for the Japanese god of mountains) to a 575km circular Earth orbit for iQPS. The mission is the latest in a series of dedicated Electron launches for iQPS to develop its Earth-imaging constellation providing high resolution images and Earth monitoring services globally. With this mission, Electron has now deployed half of iQPS's constellation of satellites operating on orbit. These include the ' The Moon God Awakens ' that was successfully launched in December 2023; and ' The Lightning God Reigns', ' The Sea God Sees', and now 'The Mountain God Guards', each deployed in the first half of 2025 . Another four dedicated missions with QPS-SAR satellites are scheduled to launch on Electron across the remainder of this year and 2026, making Rocket Lab the most relied-upon launch provider to accelerate the build out of iQPS's constellation with repeatability and precision. Rocket Lab Founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck, says: 'The Electron team has delivered another flawless launch and satellite deployment for iQPS, for the second time in 25 days – an outstanding display of the reliability and agility that makes Electron the leader in dedicated small launch. The rapid turnaround in launches and precise orbital deployment achieved for this latest iQPS mission is also a fantastic example of the benefits of dedicated launch for constellation deployment on Electron. We're looking forward to delivering on this again and again for the line-up of Electron launches this year and next in our multi-launch contract with iQPS. iQPS CEO, Dr. Shunsuke Onishi, says: 'Following the successful launch of our 10th satellite, we are deeply grateful to Rocket Lab team for the smooth deployment of QPS-SAR-11 YAMATSUMI-I into orbit. This achievement is entirely thanks to the Rocket Lab team's ability to deliver precise and agile launches. We are truly pleased to see our satellites being placed into orbit one after another, marking significant progress toward building our satellite constellation. With three more launches planned this year, we will continue to work closely with our partner companies to steadily advance the development and production of our satellites.' 'The Mountain God Guards' was Rocket Lab's eighth Electron mission of 2025 and its 66th launch overall. Rocket Lab's next Electron mission is scheduled to launch from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in just a few days' time. Launch images: Launch webcast: About Rocket Lab Founded in 2006, Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company with an established track record of mission success. We deliver reliable launch services, satellite manufacture, spacecraft components, and on-orbit management solutions that make it faster, easier, and more affordable to access space. Headquartered in Long Beach, California, Rocket Lab designs and manufactures the Electron small orbital launch vehicle, a family of spacecraft platforms, and the Company is developing the large Neutron launch vehicle for constellation deployment. Since its first orbital launch in January 2018, Rocket Lab's Electron launch vehicle has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered over 200 satellites to orbit for private and public sector organizations, enabling operations in national security, scientific research, space debris mitigation, Earth observation, climate monitoring, and communications. Rocket Lab's spacecraft platforms have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars, as well as the first private commercial mission to Venus. Rocket Lab has three launch pads at two launch sites, including two launch pads at a private orbital launch site located in New Zealand and a third launch pad in Virginia. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 'Securities Act') and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 'Exchange Act'). All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding our launch and space systems operations, launch schedule and window, safe and repeatable access to space, Neutron development, operational expansion and business strategy are forward-looking statements. The words 'believe,' 'may,' 'will,' 'estimate,' 'potential,' 'continue,' 'anticipate,' 'intend,' 'expect,' 'strategy,' 'future,' 'could,' 'would,' 'project,' 'plan,' 'target,' and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, though not all forward-looking statements use these words or expressions. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the factors, risks and uncertainties included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC'), accessible on the SEC's website at and the Investor Relations section of our website at which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent management's estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rocket Lab Successfully Launches Second Mission for iQPS in Rapid 25 Day Turnaround
MAHIA, New Zealand, June 11, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB) ("Rocket Lab" or "the Company"), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today successfully launched its 66th Electron to deploy the latest satellite to orbit for Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS) – Rocket Lab's second launch in less than a month for iQPS and its fourth overall with 100% mission success. 'The Mountain God Guards' mission lifted-off from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand at 15:31 UTC on June 11th to deploy a single synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging satellite named QPS-SAR-11 (nicknamed YAMATSUMI-I for the Japanese god of mountains) to a 575km circular Earth orbit for iQPS. The mission is the latest in a series of dedicated Electron launches for iQPS to develop its Earth-imaging constellation providing high resolution images and Earth monitoring services globally. With this mission, Electron has now deployed half of iQPS's constellation of satellites operating on orbit. These include the 'The Moon God Awakens' that was successfully launched in December 2023; and 'The Lightning God Reigns', 'The Sea God Sees', and now 'The Mountain God Guards', each deployed in the first half of 2025 . Another four dedicated missions with QPS-SAR satellites are scheduled to launch on Electron across the remainder of this year and 2026, making Rocket Lab the most relied-upon launch provider to accelerate the build out of iQPS's constellation with repeatability and precision. Rocket Lab Founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck, says: "The Electron team has delivered another flawless launch and satellite deployment for iQPS, for the second time in 25 days – an outstanding display of the reliability and agility that makes Electron the leader in dedicated small launch. The rapid turnaround in launches and precise orbital deployment achieved for this latest iQPS mission is also a fantastic example of the benefits of dedicated launch for constellation deployment on Electron. We're looking forward to delivering on this again and again for the line-up of Electron launches this year and next in our multi-launch contract with iQPS. iQPS CEO, Dr. Shunsuke Onishi, says: "Following the successful launch of our 10th satellite, we are deeply grateful to Rocket Lab team for the smooth deployment of QPS-SAR-11 YAMATSUMI-I into orbit. This achievement is entirely thanks to the Rocket Lab team's ability to deliver precise and agile launches. We are truly pleased to see our satellites being placed into orbit one after another, marking significant progress toward building our satellite constellation. With three more launches planned this year, we will continue to work closely with our partner companies to steadily advance the development and production of our satellites." "The Mountain God Guards" was Rocket Lab's eighth Electron mission of 2025 and its 66th launch overall. Rocket Lab's next Electron mission is scheduled to launch from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in just a few days' time. Launch images: Launch webcast: About Rocket Lab Founded in 2006, Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company with an established track record of mission success. We deliver reliable launch services, satellite manufacture, spacecraft components, and on-orbit management solutions that make it faster, easier, and more affordable to access space. Headquartered in Long Beach, California, Rocket Lab designs and manufactures the Electron small orbital launch vehicle, a family of spacecraft platforms, and the Company is developing the large Neutron launch vehicle for constellation deployment. Since its first orbital launch in January 2018, Rocket Lab's Electron launch vehicle has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered over 200 satellites to orbit for private and public sector organizations, enabling operations in national security, scientific research, space debris mitigation, Earth observation, climate monitoring, and communications. Rocket Lab's spacecraft platforms have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars, as well as the first private commercial mission to Venus. Rocket Lab has three launch pads at two launch sites, including two launch pads at a private orbital launch site located in New Zealand and a third launch pad in Virginia. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding our launch and space systems operations, launch schedule and window, safe and repeatable access to space, Neutron development, operational expansion and business strategy are forward-looking statements. The words "believe," "may," "will," "estimate," "potential," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "expect," "strategy," "future," "could," "would," "project," "plan," "target," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, though not all forward-looking statements use these words or expressions. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the factors, risks and uncertainties included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), accessible on the SEC's website at and the Investor Relations section of our website at which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent management's estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change. View source version on Contacts Rocket Lab Media ContactMurielle Bakermedia@ Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
California firm Rocket Lab launches third satellite for Japanese company
May 17 (UPI) -- American aerospace firm Rocket Lab on Saturday carried a successful launch mission from its facility in New Zealand. The California-based publicly-traded company completed its third mission for Japanese firm the Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, using one its partially-reusable Electron orbital launch vehicle. "Another fantastic launch by the Electron team to flawlessly deliver another iQPS mission to orbit," Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck said in a statement on the company's website. "Constellation deployment requires a reliable rocket with pinpoint orbital deployment accuracy that allows for the seamless integration of the latest spacecraft to the constellation - and that's exactly the service Electron continues to provide as the global leading launcher for small satellite missions. With another mission lined up with iQPS in just a few short weeks, we're looking forward to supporting their constellation with multiple missions this year and next." The mission delivered a synthetic aperture radar Earth-imaging satellite, into low Earth orbit, approximately 357 miles above the planet. Liftoff from the Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand occurred at 8:17 p.m. NZST Saturday, marking the company's 64th mission overall using the Electron rocket. Rocket Lab's contract with the Japanese company stipulates five further launches through next year. Four of those are set to take place in 2025, beginning next month, as the Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space continues building its constellation of satellites. "We are truly delighted to have successfully launched our 10th satellite into orbit just two months after the launch of our QPS-SAR-9," iQPS CEO Shunsuke Onishi said in the Rocket Lab media release. "This achievement is a remarkable milestone to the outstanding technical capabilities of our development team, and we are deeply grateful to Rocket Lab team for enabling such a precise and agile launch. With more Electron launches ahead, we're more committed than ever to accelerating the buildout of our satellite constellation, and we look forward to continuing this powerful partnership."
