iQPS

What iQPS does

iQPS (QPS研究所 / Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space), founded in 2005 in Fukuoka, Japan by Kyushu University emeritus professors, is a vertically integrated space technology company that designs, manufactures, and operates a constellation of 100kg-class small Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites branded as QPS-SAR. The core technology platform is anchored by a patented 3.6m deployable parabolic antenna (folding to approximately 80cm diameter and 15cm height for launch) that enables sub-50cm Spotlight-mode SAR imaging at roughly 1/20th the mass and 1/100th the cost of conventional SAR satellites. Other differentiating subsystems include the FLIP onboard image processor (jointly developed with JAXA and Alouette Technology), inter-satellite communication, electric propulsion, and the EDEN electrodynamic tether (JAXA-co-developed). As of December 2025, the company had launched 15 satellites, with a stated roadmap to 24 operational satellites by May 2028 and a 36-satellite constellation by 2030, targeting average 10-minute revisit intervals for nearly any point on Earth.

The company generates revenue primarily through sale of SAR data products (Spotlight mode at 46cm azimuth / 39cm range resolution and Stripmap mode at 1.8m resolution) to Japanese government and defense agencies, insurance companies (for post-disaster damage assessment), disaster-management authorities, and commercial enterprises in agriculture, maritime, infrastructure, and economic-intelligence applications. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; revenue is recognized under a data-monetization model (image/subscription) and hardware/launch-cost reimbursements. iQPS operates a sales-led go-to-market motion, now organized post-December 2025 into three sales divisions under a holdings structure (QPS Holdings, TSE: 5595): domestic government/enterprise, commercial/civilian business services, and a dedicated global business unit. Distribution is enabled through a global ground-station partnership with KSAT and a 15-mission dedicated launch relationship with Rocket Lab (~$100M+ in contracted launch value). The company is supported by a regional manufacturing cluster (e-SET, 40+ Kyushu-based SMEs) and has raised approximately ¥31.6 billion in equity and strategic capital during 2025–2026, including a ¥15.24B third-party allotment to Sky Perfect JSAT, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance, and Mitsuuroko Group Holdings, plus an ¥8.4B grant from JAXA's space strategy fund.

Name

iQPS

Legal name

株式会社QPS研究所

Website

https://i-qps.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

iQPS (QPS研究所) is a Japanese space technology company that designs, manufactures, and operates a growing constellation of 100kg-class small SAR satellites, providing all-weather, day-night, high-resolution Earth observation imagery to Japanese government and defense agencies, insurance companies, and commercial enterprises globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Satellite Earth Observation

NAICS

Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Satellite Telecommunications (517410)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)

akta.pro primary industry

Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial) (IMABACAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Satellite Imagery & Remote Sensing Geospatial Platforms (BPAMANAM), Satellite Network Operations & Capacity Services (NOC, Capacity Leasing, Managed Payload Services) (HDAIAJAI), Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD)

Keywords

• Small SAR satellites
• Earth observation data
• Satellite imagery services
• Constellation satellite operations
• Radar satellite imaging

Headquarters

HQ city

Fukuoka

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Satellite SAR Data Sales: iQPS generates revenue by providing SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellite imagery and data from its QPS-SAR constellation to customers. Data is sold on an image/product basis or through subscription arrangements for regular data delivery. The company offers both standard resolution (Stripmap, 1.8m) and high-resolution (Spotlight, <50cm) imagery products.
2. Satellite Manufacturing and Launch Services: As part of the ¥15.24 billion third-party allotment to Sky Perfect JSAT, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance, and Mitsuuroko Group Holdings, funds are allocated for manufacturing and launch costs for satellites 25-38. QPS研究所 designs, manufactures, and operates its own satellites in-house, with launch services provided by Rocket Lab (Electron), SpaceX (Falcon 9), and previously ISRO (PSLV) and IHI Aerospace (Epsilon).

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

iQPS develops, manufactures, and operates a constellation of 100kg-class small SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellites that deliver near-real-time, all-weather, day/night high-resolution Earth observation imagery and data. The company had 15 satellites launched as of December 2025, targeting 24 satellites by May 2028 and 36 satellites by 2030, designed to observe any location on Earth within an average of 10 minutes. Revenue is generated by providing SAR imagery products (Spotlight Mode at 46cm resolution and Strip Map Mode at 1.8m resolution) and subscription-based data delivery to government, defense, insurance, and commercial enterprise customers.

Product overview

iQPS (Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space / QPS研究所) operates a constellation-based small SAR satellite Earth observation business. The core offering is the near-real-time Earth observation data service built on the QPS-SAR satellite constellation, currently comprising 15 launched satellites with a roadmap to 24 by May 2028 and 36 by 2030. The product portfolio includes the QPS-SAR satellite series (100kg-class, featuring a proprietary 3.6m deployable antenna), the FLIP onboard image processor for edge AI processing in orbit, Strip Map Mode for wide-area surveillance, and Spotlight Mode for sub-50cm high-resolution observation. The constellation enables 24/7 all-weather observation with average 10-minute revisit globally, supporting applications in disaster response, infrastructure monitoring, maritime surveillance, and economic data analytics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• QPS-SAR: The company's core product line: a series of world-class high-resolution small synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites weighing approximately 100kg, capable of day/night and weather-independent Earth observation.

Products and services

• QPS-SAR Constellation — Near-Real-Time Earth Observation Data Service Near-real-time Earth observation data service utilizing a planned constellation of 36 small SAR satellites (15 launched as of December 2025), enabling observation of almost any location worldwide within an average of 10 minutes. The constellation comprises 3 satellites per orbit across 12 orbits, providing 24/7 all-weather day-night observation capability. Data products include high-resolution SAR imagery for government agencies, defense, insurance, and commercial enterprise customers.
• QPS-SAR Satellite Platform World-class high-resolution small SAR satellite platform in the 100kg range, featuring a patented 3.6m diameter deployable parabolic antenna (folded to 80cm diameter and 15cm height at launch, 10kg mass), X-band radar, electric propulsion thrusters, onboard image processor (FLIP), and inter-satellite communication capability. The platform is designed for in-house manufacturing supported by Kyushu-based partner companies and forms the basis of the QPS-SAR constellation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 46cm SAR image resolution achieved (Spotlight mode) — highest for any private SAR satellite in Japan
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT)coreTechnology or Integration · 3 June 2026QPS研究所 has a long-term partnership with Norwegian ground station provider KSAT for LEOP (Launch & Early Orbit Phase) operations and ground station services. In June 2026, this was extended to a further long-term partnership, with KSAT's KSATlite fully automated ground station service adopted for the expanding constellation. KSAT operates 40+ ground stations globally including facilities in Svalbard and Antarctica, providing reliable global satellite communications and data delivery for QPS-SAR.
• Rocket LabcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Rocket Lab is iQPS's primary dedicated launch provider for QPS-SAR satellites via the Electron rocket. The partnership has grown to 15 contracted missions (7 completed, 5 previously ordered, 3 newly announced in April 2026), all launching from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand. The relationship represents approximately $100 million in estimated launch revenue for Rocket Lab and demonstrates recurring, multi-year launch collaboration typical of deep operator-provider partnerships.
• JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2025QPS Institute (iQPS subsidiary) received a ¥8.4 billion grant decision from JAXA's Space Strategy Fund in March 2025. JAXA is also a technology development partner for the FLIP in-orbit image processor (jointly developed with Alouette Technology Inc.) and a co-development partner for EDT (Electrodynamic Tether) satellite systems. QPS研究所 collaborates with JAXA on space debris research and is recognized in government space strategy initiatives.
• SpaceXsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2025SpaceX provides Falcon 9 launch services for QPS-SAR satellites. Launches conducted include QPS-SAR-2 IZANAMI (January 2021), QPS-SAR-6 AMATERU-III (June 2023), QPS-SAR-7 TSUKUYOMI-II (April 2024, Bandwagon-1 rideshare), and QPS-SAR-8 AMATERU-IV (August 2024, Transporter-11). SpaceX is a secondary launch provider alongside Rocket Lab's Electron.
• Fusic (Cloud/AWS Partnership)supportingTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2025iQPS partners with Fusic, a system integrator and AWS partner company, for cloud infrastructure and data processing services. Fusic supported iQPS in obtaining satellite remote sensing business certification and provides ongoing cloud development and operational support. iQPS uses AWS cloud services for satellite ground systems, data processing, and service delivery.
• e-SET — NPO円陣スペースエンジニアリングチーム (Regional Manufacturing Cluster)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019e-SET is a network of 40+ small and medium manufacturing enterprises in the northern Kyushu region (久留米/筑後エリア) that collectively support QPS-SAR satellite development and manufacturing. Partner companies include: オガワ機工 (chassis/assembly), 睦美化成/e-SET理事长 (structural components), アイアント工業 (precision parts), ウメダ (chassis manufacturing), カネクラ加工 (antenna mesh sewing), 峰勝鋼機 (antenna ribs/springs), and others. e-SET received the Regional Special Award at the 7th Space Development Utilization Awards in 2026.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Synspective: Japanese SAR satellite startup founded in 2018, building a 30-satellite constellation for wide-area and high-resolution SAR data. Closest direct peer to iQPS in Japan, with similar business model, target market, and government backing, though with smaller current constellation (single-digit operational satellites).
• Umbra: US-based SAR satellite company providing high-resolution SAR imagery with 16cm resolution, operating its own constellation. Direct peer in commercial high-resolution SAR data services.
• ICEYE: Finland/US-headquartered company operating the world's largest commercial SAR satellite constellation with 30+ satellites. Directly comparable to iQPS in offering sub-meter SAR imagery for government and commercial customers, though at larger satellite scale and with stronger capital base.
• Capella Space: US-based SAR satellite operator offering sub-50cm high-resolution SAR imagery with automated tasking and delivery. Direct competitor in the high-resolution commercial SAR market serving defense, intelligence, and commercial customers.

Emerging players

• BlackSky Holdings: US-based real-time geospatial intelligence company combining satellite imagery with AI analytics. Comparable in targeting time-sensitive enterprise and government applications, though using optical rather than SAR technology.
• Twenty First Century Aerospace Technology (21AT): China-based SAR satellite operator with the NuSat constellation, providing commercial SAR imagery globally. Adjacent competitor in the Asia-Pacific SAR market with significant government backing.

Broad incumbents

• Planet Labs: US-based public Earth observation company (NYSE: PL) operating the largest commercial satellite constellation. While primarily optical, Planet offers adjacent Earth observation capabilities and competes for the same enterprise/government budget allocations.
• Maxar Technologies: US-based large satellite imagery and space infrastructure provider serving defense and intelligence markets. Incumbent Earth observation player with optical and radar capabilities; competes for government contracts and broad enterprise Earth observation budgets.

Regional players

• Sky Perfect JSAT: Japan's largest satellite operator and a strategic investor in iQPS. While primarily a communications satellite operator, Sky Perfect JSAT overlaps in satellite services distribution and is positioned as a partner rather than direct competitor, with potential to bundle SAR data offerings.

Others

• Astroscale: Japan-based space technology company focused on orbital debris removal and satellite servicing. Adjacent Japanese space company with similar customer base (government/defense) and JAXA relationships, though operating in a different space segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/qps_inc
• Facebookfacebook.com/qpslaboratory

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds7 records

Investors17 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about iQPS