Orbital Lasers
Orbital Lasers is a Tokyo-based space technology company developing high-power space laser systems for laser-based space debris removal and satellite LiDAR-based 3D terrain measurement, serving government agencies and satellite operators.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2024
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Orbital Lasers does
Orbital Lasers is a Tokyo-based space technology company established in January 2024 as a spin-off from SKY Perfect JSAT. The company develops high-power space-based laser systems serving two commercial business lines: (1) space debris removal services using proprietary laser ablation detumbling technology that vaporizes surface material on rotating debris to create controlled thrust for non-contact orbital management, and (2) a satellite LiDAR business intended to deploy a small-satellite constellation providing centimeter-level 3D terrain elevation data for forestry, infrastructure, disaster response, and climate applications. Core laser technology originated from joint research with Japan's RIKEN institute and achieves roughly 10x peak power versus conventional space lasers, with claimed 70% weight and 90% cost reductions versus NASA ICESat-2-class platforms.
The company monetizes primarily through government R&D contracts in the near term. Confirmed customers include JAXA (altimeter lidar satellite concept design) and Japan's Ministry of Defense (2,054 million yen contract through March 2028 for space laser ranging research). Future revenue streams under development include commercial Active Debris Removal services and LiDAR data monetization. Distribution is direct enterprise sales to government and satellite operators, augmented by strategic partnerships with Infinite Orbits (France) and InspeCity (India) for integrated in-orbit service vehicles combining Orbital Lasers' laser payload with third-party satellite buses and robotics.
The company has raised 39.2 billion yen (approximately $260 million) in cumulative equity across a December 2024 seed round (9 billion yen, led by SKY Perfect JSAT) and a March 2026 Series A (30.2 billion yen) with participation from JIC Venture Growth Investments, Keio Innovation Initiative, Mitsubishi UFJ Capital, Mizuho Capital, SMBC Venture Capital, Sparkx Asset Management, Osaka University Venture Capital, and Angel Bridge. The team expanded from a few founders to 30+ employees within the first year, drawing technical leadership from RIKEN, JAXA, NEC, Toshiba, and former SKY Perfect JSAT satellite operators. Orbital Lasers signed ESA's Zero Debris Charter in October 2024 and was selected for Japan's METI J-Startup program in March 2025.
Orbital Lasers firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Orbital Lasers
- Legal name
- 株式会社Orbital Lasers
- Website
- https://orbitallasers.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2024
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Orbital Lasers is a Tokyo-based space technology company developing high-power space laser systems for laser-based space debris removal and satellite LiDAR-based 3D terrain measurement, serving government agencies and satellite operators.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Orbital Lasers industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Space Debris Removal and Earth Observation Services
- NAICS
- Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414)
- SIC
- Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Space Logistics & In-Orbit Servicing (Refueling, Tug, Debris Removal) (IMABACAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD), Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial) (IMABACAB)
Keywords
Where Orbital Lasers is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices3 records
Markets served
Orbital Lasers business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Space Debris Removal Services: Commercial space debris removal services using proprietary laser detumbling technology. Planned DTB (Detumbling) business to stop rotating debris rotation, followed by ADR (Active Debris Removal) services for debris elimination. Target market includes satellite operators and government agencies managing orbital sustainability.
- Satellite LiDAR Data Services: Satellite LiDAR constellation providing high-precision terrain elevation data for applications including forest management, biomass estimation, land management, disaster prevention, and infrastructure monitoring. Plans to build small LiDAR satellite constellation for worldwide high-resolution 3D measurement.
- Government R&D Contracts: R&D contracts with government agencies including JAXA (altimeter lidar satellite concept design) and Ministry of Defense Japan (space laser technology research for ranging applications). Ministry of Defense contract valued at 2,054 million yen (excluding tax) through March 2028.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
Orbital Lasers product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Orbital Lasers develops space-based high-power laser technology and applies it to two commercial businesses: (1) space debris removal using proprietary laser ablation detumbling technology that vaporizes surface material of rotating debris to stop rotation without physical contact, and (2) satellite LiDAR services providing high-precision 3D terrain measurement via small satellite constellations. The business is currently sustained by Japanese government R&D contracts with JAXA and the Ministry of Defense.
Product overview
Orbital Lasers offers a portfolio of space optical technology products centered on satellite laser systems. The core offerings consist of a Space Debris Removal Service using proprietary laser ablation technology for non-contact debris detumbling and removal, and a Satellite LiDAR Business providing high-precision 3D terrain measurement via miniaturized LiDAR satellites. These products are powered by the company's foundational Space Laser Technology, which achieves world-highest standards for output power, compact size, and efficiency, enabling small satellite deployment and constellation construction.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Space Debris Removal Service (Detumbling/ADR) Laser-based space debris removal service using proprietary laser ablation technology to detumble rotating space debris by vaporizing surface material to create thrust, enabling non-contact removal of debris and uncooperative objects from orbit. Targets satellite operators and government agencies managing orbital sustainability.
- Satellite LiDAR Business Small satellite LiDAR constellation providing high-precision 3D terrain elevation data for applications including forest management, biomass estimation, land management, disaster prevention, infrastructure monitoring, ice sheet observation, carbon credit evaluation, urban digital twin, and climate change assessment.
- Space Laser Technology Foundational compact, high-power, high-efficiency space laser technology achieving approximately 10x peak power compared to conventional space lasers, with 70% weight reduction and 90% cost reduction compared to current large laser-equipped satellites (NASA ICESat-2 baseline). Enables integration into small satellite platforms.
Quantifiable outcome
- 70% weight reduction and 90% cost reduction compared to current large laser satellites (NASA ICESat-2 baseline)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Orbital Lasers
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Orbital Lasers technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Orbital Lasers partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Infinite Orbits S.A.S.coreOrbital Lasers signed MoU with Infinite Orbits (France, Toulouse) to collaborate on in-orbit servicing using laser-based detumbling technology. Partnership aims to develop orbital debris removal solutions targeting LEO and GEO, advancing technology, business, and regulatory discussions. Infinite Orbits plans first spacecraft launch Q2 2029. Collaboration includes market development, joint government proposals, and technical integration of Orbital Lasers' laser payload with Infinite Orbits' service vehicles.
- Ministry of Defense (Japan)coreMinistry of Defense contract (2,054 million yen) for survey research and prototype evaluation of space laser technology for ranging applications, satellite monitoring and defense research. Contract period through March 2028.
- InspeCity Space Laboratories Pvt. Ltd.coreOrbital Lasers and Mumbai-based InspeCity signed MoU for collaboration on in-orbit service satellite development combining Orbital Lasers' space laser payload with InspeCity's VEDA (Vehicle for Life Extension and Deorbiting Activities) satellite platform. Joint white paper published June 2025 on integrated operations architecture for space debris removal using laser detumbling and robotics capture. Partnership announced at Japan-India Economic Forum August 2025 with MOU included in 170 MoUs signed between Japanese and Indian companies.
- JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency)coreR&D contract with JAXA for altimeter lidar satellite system and satellite operations system concept design. Contract includes partial mission equipment prototyping. Collaboration on future small altimeter lidar satellite business, building on JAXA's earth observation lidar satellite initiative.
- RIKEN (理化学研究所)coreJoint research with RIKEN's Laser Development Research Team for satellite attitude/orbit control using lasers. Established Space Laser R&D team at RIKEN in 2020. Research achievements include world-first compact high-efficiency space pulse laser prototype (2022). Foundation for Orbital Lasers' core space laser technology.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Orbital Lasers competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Momentus Space: US-based in-orbit transportation and servicing company developing orbital transfer vehicles and infrastructure services. Comparable as an in-orbit services peer serving small satellite operators.
- D-Orbit: Italy-based in-orbit transportation and servicing company operating in satellite deployment, debris mitigation, and end-of-life services. Comparable in the in-orbit services space with overlapping target customers (satellite operators).
- Orbit Fab: US-based in-orbit refueling and satellite servicing company developing in-orbit gas/fuel delivery infrastructure. Comparable in the broader in-orbit services category with similar enterprise/government GTM motion.
- Astroscale: Japan-based space debris removal company that has demonstrated multiple on-orbit capture and servicing missions. Most directly comparable peer for Orbital Lasers' debris removal business, operating in the same geography with similar target customers (JAXA, satellite operators).
- Infinite Orbits: France-based in-orbit servicing company and Orbital Lasers' MoU partner. Comparable as a peer in GEO/LEO satellite life extension and orbital services, with first spacecraft launch planned Q2 2029.
- InspeCity: India-based in-orbit servicing startup developing VEDA (Vehicle for Life Extension and Deorbiting Activities) satellite platform. Orbital Lasers' MoU partner and directly comparable as a debris removal/servicing peer in the emerging Indian space market.
- ClearSpace: Switzerland-based, ESA-backed space debris removal company executing active debris removal missions. Directly comparable in the orbital debris removal market with similar technology approach and government-backed funding model.
Broad incumbents
- Lockheed Martin: Large US defense prime with space situational awareness, satellite laser communications, and orbital programs. Broad incumbent providing overlapping capabilities in space laser and surveillance, though not specializing in Orbital Lasers' debris removal niche.
- Northrop Grumman: Large US aerospace and defense incumbent with capabilities in space-based laser systems, satellite servicing (Mission Extension Vehicle), and space domain awareness. Broad incumbent in the space laser and orbital services space.
Emerging players
- LeoLabs: US-based space situational awareness company providing commercial tracking of space debris and orbital objects. Emerging player with partial overlap in orbital sustainability market but different technology approach (ground-based radar vs. space-based laser).
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Orbital Lasers social profiles
Digital presenceOrbital Lasers compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Orbital Lasers financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Orbital Lasers leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Orbital Lasers funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors10 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Orbital Lasers 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 Orbital Lasers
What does Orbital Lasers do?
Orbital Lasers develops space-based high-power laser technology and applies it to two commercial businesses: (1) space debris removal using proprietary laser ablation detumbling technology that vaporizes surface material of rotating debris to stop rotation without physical contact, and (2) satellite LiDAR services providing high-precision 3D terrain measurement via small satellite constellations. The business is currently sustained by Japanese government R&D contracts with JAXA and the Ministry of Defense.
Is Orbital Lasers a public or private company?
Orbital Lasers is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Orbital Lasers founded?
Orbital Lasers was founded in 2024. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Orbital Lasers based?
Orbital Lasers is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does Orbital Lasers make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Space Debris Removal Services are the primary driver. The others are satellite LiDAR Data Services and government R&D Contracts.
Who are Orbital Lasers's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Momentus Space, D-Orbit, Orbit Fab, Astroscale, Infinite Orbits, InspeCity and ClearSpace. Broad incumbents are Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. LeoLabs is listed as an emerging player.
Does Orbital Lasers have an API?
No public API is recorded for Orbital Lasers.
What industry is Orbital Lasers in?
Orbital Lasers's product category is Space Debris Removal and Earth Observation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABACAM, Space Logistics & In-Orbit Servicing (Refueling, Tug, Debris Removal), with a secondary code of IMABACAD, Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR). Its NAICS code is 336414 and its SIC code is 3760.