Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

Name

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

Legal name

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

Website

https://global.jaxa.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Space Exploration and Aerospace Services

NAICS

Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Space Research and Technology (927), Aircraft Manufacturing (336411)

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 & Satellites (Civil/Commercial) (IMABACAB), Space Logistics & In-Orbit Servicing (Refueling, Tug, Debris Removal) (IMABACAM), Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD), Spacecraft Propulsion (In-Space) & Thrusters (IMABACAE)

Keywords

• Launch vehicle services
• Satellite operations
• Space exploration
• Aeronautics research
• Human spaceflight

Headquarters

HQ city

Chofu

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices19 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Budget and Public Investment: JAXA operates primarily as a national space agency funded by Japanese government budget allocations, with the government planning to invest 1 trillion yen ($6.5 billion) over 10 years through March 2035 with a goal of doubling market value to 8 trillion yen by the early 2030s.
2. Commercial Services and Satellite Launches: JAXA generates revenue through commercial satellite launches, satellite data services, and technology demonstration programs for domestic and international customers.
3. Space Strategy Fund Programs: JAXA administers the Space Strategy Fund, selecting private companies, startups, and academic institutions for space technology development projects with government funding.

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

JAXA operates as Japan's national space agency, conducting launch vehicle development (H3, Epsilon), satellite and deep space mission operations (Hayabusa2, BepiColombo, XRISM), human spaceflight via the ISS Kibo module and HTV-X cargo vehicle, lunar exploration (SLIM, LUPEX), Earth observation (GOSAT-2, GSMaP), space debris removal (ADRAS-J, CRD2), and aeronautics research. It also administers the Space Strategy Fund, partnering with Japanese industry on space technology R&D.

Product overview

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is Japan's national space agency operating a comprehensive portfolio of space systems and services. The agency manages launch vehicles (H3, Epsilon), cargo and crew transportation to the International Space Station (HTV-X, Kibo module), lunar exploration (SLIM with LEV-2 rover, LUPEX), deep space missions (BepiColombo to Mercury), Earth observation satellites (GOSAT-2, GSMaP), satellite technology demonstration programs, and aeronautics research. JAXA provides space infrastructure through its Space Strategy Fund, supports international partnerships (including ESA's Ramses mission, NASA's Artemis program), and conducts advanced research in hypersonic propulsion and space debris removal (ADRAS-J, CRD2).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• H3 Launch Vehicle Japan's next-generation flagship launch vehicle designed to replace the mainstay H-2A rocket and compete in the global commercial launch market. Co-developed with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, featuring a new low-cost 30 configuration variant for satellite launches from Tanegashima Space Center.
• Epsilon Launch Vehicle

Quantifiable outcome

• Successfully deployed first wooden satellite and returned asteroid samples containing all five DNA nucleobases
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mitsubishi ElectriccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2026Mitsubishi Electric was awarded a subsidy under JAXA's Space Strategy Fund to lead development of orbital transfer vehicles (OTVs) as part of the Flexible Mobility in Space program. The OTVs will provide transportation and logistics in orbit supporting the commercial space economy, including on-orbit services such as assembly, manufacturing, refueling, inspection, repair, and parts replacement.
• Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 May 2026PhilSA and JAXA signed a Joint Declaration of Interest in Space Cooperation covering collaboration on satellite missions, data applications, space exploration, human spaceflight, and space sustainability. The agreement reaffirms shared goals and mutual interest in advancing space science across the Asia-Pacific region.
• European Space Agency (ESA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 May 2026ESA and JAXA signed Memorandums of Cooperation on planetary defence and the Ramses mission to asteroid Apophis. JAXA will provide lightweight solar arrays, an infrared imager, and launch services aboard its H3 rocket, while ESA oversees spacecraft design, integration, and operations. The Ramses mission will rendezvous with Apophis ahead of its close flyby of Earth in April 2029.
• Archeda Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Archeda Inc. was selected by the JAXA Space Strategy Fund for a project to develop a nature-based carbon credit platform for Asia.
• NASA (Artemis Program)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026JAXA participates in NASA's Artemis program as an international partner, with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries developed H3 rocket and HTV-X cargo spacecraft contributing to future lunar missions. Japan's contributions support planned crewed lunar landing by 2028 and permanent lunar base.
• Robodex Co., Ltd. and Noshiro CityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 March 2026Robodex, JAXA, and Noshiro City partnered to develop a model for utilizing hydrogen released during rocket launches (BOG hydrogen), aiming to create a hydrogen society business model leveraging space development byproducts as local energy resources.
• Axelspace (led consortium)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 March 2026Consortium led by Axelspace was selected for JAXA Space Strategy Fund project 'Technology to Enhance Capability of Next G...' focusing on next-generation satellite technology enhancement.
• Astroscale JapancoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 17 March 2026Astroscale Japan's ADRAS-J mission, contracted by JAXA under its Commercial Removal of Debris Demonstration program, achieved the world's first successful approach and close-range imaging of a large piece of space debris. The mission completed after 293 days in orbit and Astroscale has been contracted for Phase II (ADRAS-J2) planned for fiscal year 2027.
• RESTEC, PASCO, NSI, Axelspace, and Synspective ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 March 2026Five Japanese companies (RESTEC, PASCO, NSI, Axelspace, and Synspective) were selected by JAXA for the Space Strategy Fund Phase 2 project to develop evaluation, calibration, verification, and correction methods for domestic small satellite data, running until September 2030.
• Rakuten Mobile and University of TokyocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Rakuten Mobile and the University of Tokyo were selected by JAXA for a major R&D project under the Space Strategy Fund, eligible for up to $71.9 million in funding over five years (March 2026–March 2031) to develop AI-enhanced satellite-terrestrial 5G integration technology including dynamic frequency sharing and seamless handover between LEO satellites and terrestrial networks.
• Rocket LabcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 10 October 2025Rocket Lab secured a contract with JAXA for two dedicated Electron launches scheduled for December 2025 and 2026 to deploy satellites for JAXA's Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration Program. Rocket Lab successfully completed its first dedicated launch (RAISE-4) in December 2025 and second launch (Kakushin Rising) in April 2026, deploying a total of 16 spacecraft.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• European Space Agency (ESA): ESA is a multi-national European space agency with a comparable portfolio of human spaceflight (via ISS), launch vehicle development (Ariane), planetary science (BepiColombo), and Earth observation. JAXA and ESA signed 2026 MoCs on planetary defence and the Ramses/Apophis mission, reflecting parallel missions and operating models.
• China National Space Administration (CNSA): CNSA is China's national space agency conducting lunar, deep-space, and crewed launch programs including the Long March family and Tiangong station. CNSA is the principal Asian counterpart to JAXA in crewed spaceflight, lunar exploration, and launch vehicle scaling, often competing for commercial and diplomatic space influence.
• Roscosmos State Corporation: Roscosmos is Russia's national space agency and JAXA's traditional ISS partner. Both operate human spaceflight programs (Soyuz vs Kibo/HTV-X), launch vehicles, and deep-space missions; JAXA's Moscow office coordinates astronaut training and Soyuz transport. Roscosmos is the closest analog in operating model and infrastructure scope.
• Centre National d'Études Spatiales (CNES): CNES is France's national space agency and a core ESA contributor, conducting launch range operations, planetary science, and Earth observation. JAXA's Paris office liaises with CNES on bilateral programs (including aviation research with DLR and ONERA), making it a structurally and geographically comparable peer in mid-sized national space agencies.
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA): NASA is the US national space agency and the most direct peer to JAXA, operating across human spaceflight, launch, Earth observation, and deep-space science. JAXA partners with NASA on ISS/Kibo, Artemis, and joint missions like XRISM and BepiColombo, making the two agencies structurally comparable as integrated civil space agencies.
• Rocket Lab USA: Rocket Lab provides dedicated small-launch services including two Electron missions contracted by JAXA (RAISE-4 and Kakushin Rising) for its Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration Program. Rocket Lab is a direct peer in the small/medium commercial launch segment JAXA's Epsilon vehicle also targets.
• Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI): KARI is South Korea's national space agency developing its own launch vehicle (Nuri/KSLV-2) and satellite programs. Like JAXA, KARI operates government-funded launch and Earth observation missions while cultivating an emerging domestic space industry, making it a natural regional peer of similar scale and ambitions.
• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO): ISRO is India's national space agency operating alongside JAXA on comparable capabilities including launch vehicles (PSLV/SSLV vs H3/Epsilon), lunar missions (Chandrayaan via SLIM and LUPEX collaboration), and emerging commercial services. ISRO's budget scale, growth trajectory, and mission mix closely mirror JAXA's profile in the Asia-Pacific.

Others

• Mitsubishi Heavy Industries: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is JAXA's strategic industrial partner co-developing the H3 launch vehicle and a primary domestic prime recipient of Space Strategy Fund awards (orbital transfer vehicles, solar cells). It is adjacent rather than directly competitive, serving as a key contractor and shareholder of Japan Inc.'s space industrial base.

Broad incumbents

• SpaceX: SpaceX is the dominant commercial launch and spacecraft operator and a major benchmark for JAXA's H3 ambitions. While JAXA is government-led and SpaceX is private, both compete in the global commercial launch market and engage in NASA programs (CRS, Artemis HLS), making SpaceX the most relevant incumbent comparable on launch and ISS resupply.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/JAXA_en
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/jaxachannel
• Facebookfacebook.com/jaxa.en
• LinkedInfacebook.com/jaxa.en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments4 records

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

Frequently asked questions about Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency