Space One
Space One is a Japanese private launch services company operating KAIROS, an 18-meter solid-fuel small-satellite launcher, and Space Port Kii, Japan's first privately owned launch site, serving satellite operators, defense, and educational customers with rapid-response orbital delivery.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
Space One firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Space One
- Legal name
- SPACE ONE Co., Ltd.
- Website
- https://space-one.co.jp
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Space One is a Japanese private launch services company operating KAIROS, an 18-meter solid-fuel small-satellite launcher, and Space Port Kii, Japan's first privately owned launch site, serving satellite operators, defense, and educational customers with rapid-response orbital delivery.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Space One industry classification
Industry- 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), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419)
- SIC
- Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Launch Vehicles & Orbital Rockets (IMABACAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Rocket Engines (Solid) (IMABADAF)
Keywords
Where Space One is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices2 records
Markets served
Space One business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Operations
Revenue model
- Launch Services Revenue: Space One generates revenue primarily through launch service contracts where customers pay for satellite delivery to orbit. The company offers dedicated rideshare and multi-satellite launch missions from its Space Port Kii facility using KAIROS rockets. Pricing is quote-based and negotiated per mission.
- Government Contracts and Subsidies: Space One receives government funding through SBIR Phase 3 programs (Ministry of Education), Space Strategy Fund (JAXA), and defense contracts (Ministry of Defense) for rocket development and demonstration projects. These grants support Enhanced KAIROS R&D and manufacturing process innovation.
- Space Transportation Services: Revenue from providing rapid, frequent small satellite launch services targeting 20 annual launches by late 2020s and 30 by 2030s.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Space One product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Space One develops and operates the KAIROS small solid-fuel rocket and Space Port Kii launch facility in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, providing dedicated small satellite launch services. The company offers on-demand orbital delivery for satellite payloads, with the KAIROS rocket designed to carry approximately 250 kg to low Earth orbit.
Product overview
Space One provides small satellite launch services through a unified offering consisting of KAIROS rockets and Space Port Kii launch facility. KAIROS is a solid-fuel three-stage rocket (~18m, ~23 tons) capable of delivering 150kg to SSO or 250kg to LEO. The company operates Japan's first private launch site in Wakayama Prefecture. Enhanced KAIROS with methane engine upper stage is under development. The Space Express Services (宇宙宅配便) brand represents the company's launch transportation service with rapid deployment capabilities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- KAIROS: Small rocket (Kii-based Advanced & Instant ROcket System) - 18m solid-fuel three-stage rocket with liquid propellant kick stage for small satellite launches.
- Space Port Kii (SPK)
Products and services
- KAIROS Rocket Small solid-fuel launch vehicle designed to deliver approximately 250 kg of payload to low Earth orbit, used for dedicated small satellite launch services from Space Port Kii. Targeted at commercial satellite operators, government/defense customers, and educational institutions.
- Space Express Launch Services Dedicated small satellite launch service offering on-demand orbital delivery from Space Port Kii to low Earth orbit for commercial, government, defense, and academic customers seeking flexible and responsive access to space.
Quantifiable outcome
- Altitude 110.7km reached on KAIROS 2nd flight (December 2024)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Space One
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Space One technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Space One partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered moderate and minor.
- Space BD Inc.moderateSpace BD contracted by Japan's Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) for Ministry of Defense multi-orbit observation satellite launch. Space One provides launch services under Space BD-led consortium for defense satellite mission.
- JR-West Innovations Co., Ltd.moderateSigned MOU for business partnership with JR-West Group leveraging their regional presence in western Japan to create value from rocket launches and contribute to regional revitalization.
- USP Japan CorporationminorTour operator organizing Space Port Kii launch site viewing tours as part of tourism ministry's inbound tourism promotion program, partnering with Wakayama Prefecture and local towns.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Space One competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Astra Space: U.S.-based small launch company developing the Rocket 4 vehicle targeting the smallsat market. Directly comparable as a venture-stage launch competitor that has also experienced multiple launch failures before pursuing operational cadence.
- Relativity Space: U.S. launch startup developing the Terran R vehicle with additive-manufactured rockets, targeting medium-payload smallsat and constellation markets. Comparable as a venture-backed launch disruptor pursuing manufacturing-process innovation similar to Space One's robotics initiative.
- Firefly Aerospace: U.S. small/medium launch operator with Alpha rocket (~1000kg to LEO) and developing MLV. Comparable in addressing the smallsat market and pursuing high launch cadence, with similar recent operational challenges.
- Rocket Lab: U.S.-based small launch vehicle operator with operational Electron rocket (~300kg to LEO) and developing Neutron. Closest direct competitor to Space One in the smallsat dedicated-launch market, with overlapping customer segments and similar rapid-response launch positioning.
Emerging players
- ABL Space Systems: U.S.-based small launch startup developing the RS1 rocket (~1350kg to LEO). Comparable as an emerging competitor in the smallsat launch market with similar scale, technical profile, and operational challenges.
Regional players
- Orbex: UK-based small launch startup developing the Prime rocket for the European smallsat market. Comparable as a venture-stage small-launch operator pursuing dedicated launch infrastructure and rapid-cadence service positioning.
- Skyroot Aerospace: India-based small launch startup developing the Vikram series of rockets targeting the smallsat market. Comparable as an emerging Asian small-launch operator with similar technology profile and government-backed ambitions.
- iSpace: Tokyo-based private space company focused on lunar landers rather than launch services. Comparable as a Japanese private space company pursuing capital-market validation and government partnerships in the same domestic ecosystem.
Broad incumbents
- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries: Japan's incumbent launch provider operating the H-IIA and H3 rockets via MHI Launch Services. Broad incumbent competing for Japanese government and commercial smallsat launches and sharing the same JAXA/MOD customer base as Space One.
- IHI Aerospace: Major Japanese aerospace and defense contractor producing solid rocket motors and serving as Space One's core founding shareholder. Operates the Epsilon S small rocket program through JAXA, positioning it as both partner and competitor in the Japanese small-launch market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Space One social profiles
Digital presenceSpace One financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Space One leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Space One funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors14 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Space One M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Space One
What does Space One do?
Space One develops and operates the KAIROS small solid-fuel rocket and Space Port Kii launch facility in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, providing dedicated small satellite launch services. The company offers on-demand orbital delivery for satellite payloads, with the KAIROS rocket designed to carry approximately 250 kg to low Earth orbit.
Is Space One a public or private company?
Space One is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Space One founded?
Space One was founded in 2018. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Space One based?
Space One is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does Space One make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Launch Services Revenue is the primary driver. The others are government Contracts and Subsidies and space Transportation Services.
Who are Space One's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Astra Space, Relativity Space, Firefly Aerospace and Rocket Lab. ABL Space Systems is listed as an emerging player. Regional players are Orbex, Skyroot Aerospace and iSpace. Broad incumbents are Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and IHI Aerospace.
Does Space One have an API?
No public API is recorded for Space One.
What industry is Space One in?
Space One's product category is Space Launch Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABACAA, Launch Vehicles & Orbital Rockets, with a secondary code of IMABADAF, Rocket Engines (Solid). Its NAICS code is 336414 and its SIC code is 3760.