#Innovative Space Carrier #ASCA Mission #JFE Engineering

A New Frontier: ASCA 1 Mission Launch

Innovative Space Carrier Inc. (ISC), headquartered in Chuo-ku, Tokyo, is making significant strides as the first private space startup in Japan with ambitious plans to execute the ASCA 1 Mission in the United States by the end of 2025. This mission aims to demonstrate the vertical takeoff and landing capabilities of a reusable rocket and marks a pivotal moment in Japan's burgeoning space industry.

ISC’s vision, articulated as "a world where people and goods are delivered every day—even in space," underscores its commitment to establishing reliable and cost-effective space transport systems. The ASCA 1 Mission represents ISC's core project focused on achieving high-frequency, low-cost access to space.

The ASCA 1.0 will be a technology demonstrator prototype, aiming to reach an altitude of at least 0.1 kilometers and land within a margin of 5 meters of its target. This mission, set for 2025, will be Japan’s first vertical landing experiment conducted by a private space startup on American soil. To aid in this ambitious project, ISC has entered into a fundamental cooperation agreement with JFE Engineering Corporation (JFEE), allowing both companies to share resources and expertise in rocket assembly, precision machining, and mechanical assembly.

The ASCA 1.0 Experiment

The ASCA 1.0 experiment is scheduled to begin its design and manufacturing phase in October 2024. By leveraging an agile development approach, ISC can reduce the typical year-long timeline usually associated with initial rocket launch tests. This agile methodology allows for iterative feedback and rapid refinements throughout the development stage, culminating in a solid proof-of-concept within about one year.

Among its features, the ASCA 1.0 will utilize two Hadley engines produced by Ursa Major Technologies, and approximately 40% of its structure will be built using advanced 3D printing technology—the largest such manufacturing operation in Japan. The rocket will rely on Model Predictive Control (MPC) for precise flight-path guidance, ensuring safe autonomous operations.

The mission will be executed at Spaceport America, located in New Mexico, marking another first for Japan’s private sector in the field of vertical landing tests.

Partnership with JFE Engineering

On May 28, ISC and JFEE held a ceremonial signing to formalize their collaboration in developing the ASCA mission. During this event, the two companies introduced the newly established development facility, the