What Interstellar Technologies does

Interstellar Technologies Inc. is a Japanese private aerospace company founded in 2013 in Taiki, Hokkaido, pursuing vertical integration between launch services and satellite communications. The company has developed three rocket programs: MOMO (a suborbital observation vehicle with 7 launches and 3 successes since 2019, marketed for microgravity experiments and branded campaigns), ZERO (a two-stage orbital launch vehicle for small satellites with 10 engines total, fueled by locally sourced liquid biomethane and liquid oxygen, with 7 secured international first-flight customers), and DECA (a planned heavy-lift launch vehicle targeting the 2030s with reusable first-stage technology). The company designs and manufactures its own rocket engine turbopumps and combustors in-house — one of only a few Japanese companies with this capability — and operates Hokkaido Spaceport as a designated priority launch operator for the new Launch Complex 1.

The company's second business pillar, branded Our Stars, targets direct-to-device satellite broadband communications using formation-flying ultra-compact satellite swarms that function as a single large phased-array antenna. A successful ground proof-of-principle experiment was completed in December 2025 in collaboration with Tokyo Institute of Science, Iwate University, and Microwave Factory, with results selected for IEEE ISSCC 2026. Commercial launch of Our Stars is targeted for the early 2030s. The vertical integration thesis is that the rocket business supplies the satellite constellation at internal cost while the satellite business guarantees captive launch demand.

Revenue mechanics are pre-commercial on orbital services: ZERO has not yet flown, pricing is quote-based per mission, and customers submit specifications through a 'Book Your Launch' portal. Funding has scaled from a Series D of ~$30M USD in January 2023 to a Series F final close of 201 billion JPY (~$129.7M USD) in January 2026, with Woven by Toyota as lead investor and a strategic alliance with Toyota Motor Corporation for manufacturing expertise transfer. Cumulative funding stands at 446 billion JPY (~$2.87B USD), supplemented by up to 15.44 billion JPY in MEXT SBIR Phase 3 grants and JAXA Space Strategy Fund support. Customers span satellite operators (Japan, Singapore, US), research universities (Tokyo Institute of Science, Iwate, Osaka, NAIST, Niigata), and government agencies.

Name

Interstellar Technologies

Legal name

Interstellar Technologies Inc.

Website

https://istellartech.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Interstellar Technologies is a Japanese private aerospace company developing cost-effective orbital launch services (ZERO, DECA) and direct-to-device satellite communications (Our Stars), vertically integrating rocket manufacturing with satellite constellation operations. It serves smallsat operators, governments, and telecom providers from Hokkaido Spaceport.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Space Launch Services

NAICS

Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts Manufacturing (336415), Satellite Telecommunications (51741)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Launch Vehicles & Orbital Rockets (IMABACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Spacecraft Avionics, Flight Computers & Software (IMABACAI), Spacecraft Propulsion (In-Space) & Thrusters (IMABACAE), Satellite Broadband Internet Access (Consumer/SMB) (HDAIAJAA)

Keywords

• Orbital launch services
• Small satellite launch
• Satellite communications
• Space transportation
• Rocket manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Hiroo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 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. Orbital Launch Services: Revenue generated from launching customer satellites to orbit using the ZERO launch vehicle. Services include dedicated launches and rideshare options, with flexible scheduling to customer target orbits. Pricing is negotiated on a per-mission basis with 8 customers already secured for the first flight.
2. Satellite Communication Services: Planned future revenue stream from direct-to-device satellite communications enabling smartphones and vehicles to connect directly to satellites for high-speed broadband. Targeting commercial launch in the early 2030s as part of the vertical integration strategy.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Interstellar Technologies designs, manufactures, and operates orbital and suborbital launch vehicles (MOMO suborbital rocket, ZERO orbital rocket, planned DECA heavy lift vehicle) and is developing a direct-to-device satellite communications service (OUR STARS) using formation-flying ultra-compact satellite constellations. The company offers flexible space transportation services including dedicated launches and rideshare options for microsatellites and CubeSats, using locally sourced liquid biomethane and liquid oxygen propellants, while vertically integrating rocket and satellite communications operations.

Product overview

Interstellar Technologies is a vertically integrated space infrastructure company operating two core business segments: a launch vehicle division and a satellite communications division. Its launch vehicle portfolio consists of the MOMO suborbital rocket (a proven commercial suborbital vehicle with 7 launches), the ZERO orbital launch vehicle (a two-stage small satellite launch vehicle currently in final development with first flight customers secured), and the planned DECA heavy lift vehicle targeting the 2030s. Its satellite communications brand, OUR STARS, develops direct-to-device broadband satellite communication using formation-flying ultra-compact satellite constellations functioning as large phased-array antennas. The company integrates launch and satellite operations to maximize synergy — its own launch vehicles serve its satellite constellation, while satellite communications require frequent launches that its own vehicles can supply — positioning it as Japan's first vertically integrated rocket and satellite business.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ZERO: Small satellite orbital launch vehicle being developed for dedicated and rideshare launch services.
• DECA
• MOMO
• Our Stars

Products and services

• ZERO ZERO is a two-stage orbital launch vehicle designed for small satellite launches, featuring a first stage with nine clustered engines and a second stage with one engine (10 engines total). It offers flexible space transportation services including dedicated launches and rideshare, targeting microsatellites and CubeSats. The vehicle uses locally sourced liquid biomethane fuel and liquid oxygen oxidizer.
• MOMO MOMO is a suborbital launch vehicle (observation rocket) that reaches altitudes of 80–100 km, performs ballistic flight, and returns to Earth for ocean splashdown. It has conducted 7 launches with 3 confirmed successes and is marketed for microgravity scientific experiments, payload hosting, and branded rocket campaigns.
• OUR STARS OUR STARS is a satellite communication service brand focused on direct-to-device (D2D) broadband connectivity for smartphones, vehicles, and IoT devices using low Earth orbit satellite constellations. It leverages formation-flying ultra-compact satellite swarms functioning as large phased-array antennas to achieve high-speed, high-capacity communication comparable to terrestrial networks, enabling direct satellite communication without dedicated ground antennas.
• DECA DECA is a planned heavy lift launch vehicle targeting the 2030s era of expanded space transportation, offering capabilities comparable to domestic large-scale rockets including small satellite constellation deployment, large satellite orbital insertion, space station resupply, and asteroid exploration missions. It incorporates reusable first-stage technology and cost-reduction technologies accumulated through MOMO and ZERO programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Cumulative funding of 446 billion JPY (largest Series F for unlisted Japanese space startup)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Toyota Motor CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 August 2025Three-party business alliance with Toyota and Woven by Toyota for manufacturing collaboration. Toyota to provide personnel secondment and automotive manufacturing expertise including engine combustion chamber and turbopump manufacturing, propellant tank development, and overall production system optimization.
• Exolaunch GmbHcoreTechnology or Integration · 8 July 2025Strategic partnership making Exolaunch the preferred provider of satellite separation systems for ZERO launch vehicle. Exolaunch receives priority access to multi-launch contracts and unused payload capacity. Partnership enhances rideshare launch capabilities for small satellites across Asia-Pacific region.
• JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency)coreOthers · 1 April 2025Partnered on Space Strategy Fund technology development theme 'High Accuracy Satellite Formation Flight Technology'. 3-year support period from FY2025. Collaboration with 5 universities to develop precision formation flight control for ultra-large-scale satellite antenna systems.
• Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (総務省)coreOthers · 21 June 2024Awarded commissioned research project 'Expanding Wireless Communication Spectrum Research' (JPJ000254) for formation flying satellite communications technology. First-year budget of 2.7 billion JPY over 3-year period. Joint research with 5 national universities.
• NICT (National Institute of Information and Communications Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 October 2023Joint research on next-generation space communication systems based on satellite formation flying. Research period through March 2026. NICT brings advanced communication technology expertise to accelerate satellite development leveraging Interstellar's vertical integration advantage.
• Tokyo Institute of Science (東京科学大学)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating on formation flying antenna technology research. Joint ground proof-of-principle experiments successful in December 2025. Contributed to IEEE ISSCC 2026 presentation on phased-array transceivers for Direct-to-Device communications.
• Iwate UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint research partner on antenna and signal processing for formation flying satellite communications. Collaborated on formation flight technology for high-precision satellite constellation control.
• Osaka UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner university contributing information and communication technology and computer science expertise to formation flying satellite communications research project.
• Nara Institute of Science and Technology (奈良先端科学技術大学院大学)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner university contributing computer science expertise to satellite formation flight research. Contributed to award-winning papers on satellite control and secure communications.
• Niigata UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner university contributing wireless signal processing expertise to formation flying satellite communications research.
• Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (文部科学省)coreOthersSBIR Phase 3 program administrator. Interstellar's ZERO development passed final stage gate review with additional funding of up to 7.37 billion JPY. Total SBIR funding reaching maximum 15.44 billion JPY.
• Taiki Town AuthoritycoreOthersLong-standing partnership with owner of Hokkaido Spaceport since 2016. Designated as priority launch operator for new Launch Complex 1. Continued partnership in Space Town Development initiative promoting regional revitalization through aerospace industry.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Rocket Lab: Rocket Lab is the leading operational small-satellite launch operator with the Electron rocket and is developing the Neutron medium-lift vehicle. Like Interstellar, it targets dedicated and rideshare smallsat missions but has reached commercial operational scale and is publicly listed.
• Space One: Space One is a Japanese private launch startup developing the KAIROS rocket for smallsat orbital launches from Japan. It is the most direct domestic competitor to Interstellar's ZERO, targeting the same Japanese sovereign launch demand with a similar smallsat orbital service offering.
• Relativity Space: Relativity Space is developing the Terran R reusable medium-to-heavy lift rocket using 3D-printed manufacturing techniques. It pursues a similar manufacturing-innovation thesis to Interstellar's Toyota partnership, targeting cost reduction through production automation.
• Firefly Aerospace: Firefly Aerospace develops the Alpha smallsat launch vehicle and MLV medium-lift rocket. It is a direct competitor in the smallsat launch market and has pursued similar public market pathways while operating in the same launch service segment as ZERO.
• Astra Space: Astra developed small satellite launch vehicles (Rocket 3, Launch Vehicle 0001) and is pursuing a comparable smallsat orbital launch service. It is a relevant cautionary peer given its challenges reaching orbit repeatedly.
• AST SpaceMobile: AST SpaceMobile is developing a space-based cellular broadband network with direct-to-device capability via large phased-array satellites. It is a direct competitor to Interstellar's OUR STARS D2D satellite communications business.

Broad incumbents

• Mitsubishi Heavy Industries: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries operates Japan's flagship H3 and H-IIA launch vehicles through its space systems division. It is the established domestic incumbent and partner/customer ecosystem in Japanese launch services, contrasting with Interstellar's private startup model.

Emerging players

• Skyroot Aerospace: Skyroot Aerospace is an Indian private launch startup developing the Vikram series of smallsat launch vehicles. It is comparable as an emerging Asian smallsat launcher pursuing sovereign launch capability in its home market, similar to Interstellar's positioning in Japan.
• PLD Space: PLD Space is a Spanish launch startup developing the Miura 5 smallsat launch vehicle. Like Interstellar, it is a European/Asian regional smallsat launch competitor focused on serving domestic and regional smallsat demand.
• Galactic Energy: Galactic Energy is a Chinese private launch startup developing the Ceres-1 and Pallas-1 smallsat launch vehicles. It competes in the Asian smallsat launch market and has achieved multiple successful orbital launches, contrasting with Interstellar's pre-flight ZERO status.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/natsuroke
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCxqoT-HSpNZeIZaT5dgHXaQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/istellartech
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/istellartech
• Instagraminstagram.com/interstellartechnologies.inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds14 records

Investors39 records

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Interstellar Technologies