ElevationSpace

ElevationSpace has developed ELS-R, which is a small space utilization platform. ELS-R enables science experiments and manufacturing the high-quality materials that are unable to be generated on the earth. ELS-R is also able to bring the deliverables back to the ground.

Created: 2021-07-26

Updated: 2023-03-04

Company - ElevationSpace

Founded
Country: 2021; Japan

Funding: $2.7M

Website: ElevationSpace

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Product/Service - ELS-R

Classification: Cargo Transportation & Landers

Category: Microgravity Flight Service (LEO)
Microgravity Flight Service (Reusable Satellite)
Transport Service (Re-Entry)

Fields: Automated Microgravity Laboratory
Reusable
Space Capsule

Status: Development

First launch: 2025

Two Japanese space startup, Space BD and ElevationSpace have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a space utilization platform which has the potential to be replaced with the International Space Station (ISS) Japanese Experiment Module “Kibo” at the end of its operation. Tokyo-based space startup Space BD and ElevationSpace, a startup spin-off from Tohoku University, started discussions toward realizing a space utilization platform internationally competitive in the post-ISS era.

The key technology of this initiative is "ELS-R," a small space utilization platform that ElevationSpace develops. "ELS-R" enables science experiments and manufacturing the high-quality materials that are unable to be generated on the earth. ELS-R is also able to bring the deliverables back to the ground.
This “Atmospheric reentry” is the world’s leading technology that ElevationSpace develops. Space BD supports ElevationSpace from both the business development and technical aspects toward the ELS-R’ s in-orbit demonstration. The demonstration is currently scheduled for the second half of FYE March 2022. Space BD applies the knowledge and experiments cultivated through its primary business known as satellite launch services.

Furthermore, ElevationSpace plans to provide the ELS-R to the market no earlier than 2025. For the next step, Space BD develops demand in Japan and overseas markets for the service.

Through these initiatives, the companies will realize continuous space utilization in the post-ISS era. Moreover, the two companies agreed to discuss the space factory business and space construction business set forth by ElevationSpace.

The two companies currently work together for the High-Quality Protein Crystal Growth Experiment Service on the ISS "Kibo," which Space BD was selected as the private partner by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in May 2021.

In this business, ElevationSpace will accompany Space BD for their demand development and service quality improvement. Meanwhile, they will apply the knowledge gained through this cooperation to improve the usability of "ELS-R."

We will accelerate the development of the ELS-R100, a technical demonstration satellite that is scheduled to be launched in 2023, and focus on building an organizational structure for the research and development and business development of the ELS-R1000, a service providing satellite scheduled for 2026.

ELS-R100 is around 150kg satellite for acquiring atmospheric re-entry technology, and it will conduct a space experiment to cultivate euglena provided by Euglena Co., a renowned Japanese biotechnology company, to utilize it as a future food and energy source in space. If this experiment is successful, it will be the first case of a Japanese spacecraft bringing back living organisms from space and be a major step toward Japan's crewed space development.

Next satellite is “ELS-R1000” which is a service providing satellite around 1000kg. The first launch of the ELS-R1000 is scheduled for 2026, with the aim of six launches per year by 2030. ELS-R are much cheaper, more frequent, and easier to use than the ISS because the company's service uses small uncrewed satellites.

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