Infostellar's Major Breakthrough in Satellite Technology
Infostellar, a prominent provider of Ground Segment as a Service (GSaaS) for orbiting satellites, has made headlines by securing a significant contract with Japan's Ministry of Defense. This contract is part of the ministry's initiative for the "Satellite Frequency Analysis Technology Demonstration," marking a historical achievement as the first agreement awarded under the newly established startup technology proposal evaluation method.
Background and Challenges of the Contract
The utilization of space for communication and positioning has become a vital foundation for everyday life and is critical for military operations, influencing command and control as well as information gathering. However, the increasing development and deployment of weapons designed to incapacitate foreign satellites by certain nations poses a growing threat to the stable utilization of space. Thus, it is imperative to monitor the capabilities and movements of suspicious satellites, amplifying the focus on Space Domain Awareness (SDA) within national defense strategies and space security policies.
Objectives of the Satellite Frequency Analysis Project
The main goal of this project is to enhance the SDA capabilities by analyzing the characteristics of signals emitted by satellites and establishing a necessary database through demonstrative technology. It aims to elucidate the current state of space and enhance the ability to discern various satellite operations, ensuring national security and effective response mechanisms.
Infostellar’s Strengths and Achievements
Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Tokyo, Infostellar has been at the forefront of innovation in satellite communication infrastructure. The company's flagship product,
StellarStation, was commercially released in 2018, which has facilitated advanced technology development in the ground segment of satellite communications while providing global service access. This groundbreaking platform allows satellite operators to access a worldwide network of ground stations through a unified interface.
Infostellar has amassed extensive experience in operating and managing diverse satellites alongside ground stations. Leveraging these unique technical capabilities, the company has been recognized for its innovations, leading to its selection for this pioneering contract with Japan's Ministry of Defense based on the startup technology proposal evaluation method.
Through this contract, Infostellar aims to contribute significantly to Japan's space security and the improvement of advanced space infrastructure, embodying a novel public-private partnership model in applying commercial technology to defense and security sectors.
Understanding the Startup Technology Proposal Evaluation Method
The startup technology proposal evaluation method is a new procurement scheme introduced to utilize the advanced and unique technologies possessed by startups to tackle pressing governmental challenges and stimulate innovation. This approach not only strengthens public-private partnerships but also aims to introduce innovative solutions that conventional procurement methods have failed to achieve.
Commentary from Infostellar's CEO
Naomi Kurahara, CEO of Infostellar, expressed, "We are incredibly honored to contract for the Satellite Frequency Analysis Technology Demonstration project with Japan's Ministry of Defense. Since our founding, Infostellar has committed to innovating satellite communication infrastructures and democratizing space access. This project represents a crucial step toward applying our longstanding insights in ground station operations to the new realm of security. Furthermore, as the first contract awarded under the startup technology proposal evaluation method, it exemplifies a cutting-edge collaboration between government and startups to address advanced administrative challenges. We will continue to work closely with the Ministry of Defense to fortify Japan’s space security and enhance SDA capabilities."
About Infostellar
Infostellar stands out as a leader in providing GSaaS for orbiting satellites. Through its cloud-based platform, StellarStation, the firm offers a flexible and scalable ground station network. Infostellar also supports customers in ground segment operations, including obtaining radio licenses and frequency coordination to ease the complexities of building ground segments for new businesses utilizing satellites.
Headquartered in Tokyo, Infostellar has expanded its presence with offices in the UK and the USA. For more detailed information, please visit
Infostellar.
Additional Services by Infostellar
- - Hosting Services: Infostellar owns and operates a teleport in Taiki Town, Hokkaido, strategically selected for optimal communication with spacecraft, featuring high-speed fiber connections and redundancy power systems.
- - Dedicated Ground Segment Services: The company provides dedicated antenna resources and logistics support for satellite operators and ground network operators, enhancing efficiency and compliance with local regulations.
For further insights on StellarStation and its offerings, kindly visit
StellarStation.