Space Compass
Space Compass Corporation is a Japanese joint venture between NTT and Sky Perfect JSAT that operates GEO optical data relay services and stratospheric HAPS-based 5G connectivity for government, defense, and commercial satellite and mobile network operators in Japan and globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2022
- HeadquartersOtemachi, Japan
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Space Compass does
Space Compass Corporation (株式会社Space Compass) is a Japanese joint venture founded on July 20, 2022 and owned 50/50 by NTT and Sky Perfect JSAT. The company operates two business units built around space-based communications infrastructure. The Space Data Center Business (宇宙データセンタ事業) provides high-capacity optical data relay services transmitting Earth observation data from LEO satellites to ground stations via GEO satellites at over 1 Gbps, complemented by on-orbit AI processing demonstrated in partnership with Microsoft using Azure Orbital Space SDK to achieve over 98% data transmission reduction through ship-detection applications. The Space RAN Business (宇宙RAN事業) uses High-Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) operating at 16-18 km altitude to deliver low-latency 5G/Beyond-5G connectivity for maritime domain awareness, disaster communications, and mobile network coverage extension. These units together form the company's "Space Integrated Computing Network" vision integrating GEO, LEO, and HAPS layers.
Space Compass serves institutional and government customers including JAXA, Japan's Ministry of Defense, Microsoft, Airbus Defence and Space, and commercial satellite operators, Earth observation companies, and mobile network operators. The company operates an enterprise sales model with contract-based engagements targeting large infrastructure contracts; specific pricing is not publicly disclosed. Both business lines are positioned as subscription/recurring revenue streams.
The company is in early commercialization, with its first GEO optical data relay satellite (SC-A) under procurement contract with Swissto12 on the HummingSat platform and scheduled for delivery by end of Japanese fiscal year 2029. Space Compass has been selected as the implementing organization for JAXA's Space Strategy Fund Phase II with a support ceiling of 23.5 billion yen over December 2025 to March 2031. The company's registered capital is 187.2 billion yen including capital reserves. Additional MOUs with ESA, Airbus Defence and Space, Hellas Sat, Apolink, JSAT International, and Airspan Networks support technology development, cross-border interoperability, and product-line expansion into stratospheric 5G Air-to-Ground communications.
Space Compass firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Space Compass
- Legal name
- Space Compass Corporation
- Website
- https://space-compass.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2022
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Space Compass Corporation is a Japanese joint venture between NTT and Sky Perfect JSAT that operates GEO optical data relay services and stratospheric HAPS-based 5G connectivity for government, defense, and commercial satellite and mobile network operators in Japan and globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Space Compass is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Otemachi
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
Space Compass business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations
Revenue model
- 宇宙データセンタ事業 (Space Data Center): Provides optical data relay services for Earth observation satellites, enabling high-capacity, near-real-time data transmission from space to ground through GEO satellite infrastructure.
- 宇宙RAN事業 (Space RAN): HAPS-based mobile network services for Beyond5G/6G, providing low-latency connectivity for maritime surveillance, disaster response, and mobile operator coverage extension.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
Space Compass product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Space Compass develops and operates a Space Integrated Computing Network combining GEO-based optical data relay services for Earth observation satellites with HAPS (High Altitude Platform Station) stratospheric communications for Beyond-5G/6G connectivity. The company also provides on-orbit AI/edge computing for satellite imagery processing, achieving over 98% data transmission reduction. Its first dedicated asset is the GEO Optical Data Relay Satellite (SC-A), being built by Swissto12 on the HummingSat platform with delivery targeted for end-March 2029.
Product overview
Space Compass operates as a dual-business company offering space-based infrastructure services. The first business unit, the Space Data Center Business, combines optical data relay services with space-based edge computing to transmit and process large volumes of satellite-collected data in near-real-time from GEO orbit. The second unit, the Space RAN Business, uses HAPS aircraft in the stratosphere (16-18 km) to provide 5G connectivity for maritime surveillance, disaster response, and coverage extension. These two businesses collectively form the company's 'Space Integrated Computing Network' vision, integrating ground, air, and space communication networks. The GEO Optical Data Relay Satellite (SC-A), Space Compass's first dedicated satellite built on the HummingSat platform by Swissto12, serves as the foundational infrastructure for the optical data relay service, enabling GEO-based high-capacity data relay for LEO observation satellites. Capitalized at 187.2 billion yen, Space Compass is a joint venture between NTT and Sky Perfect JSAT.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Optical Data Relay Service (光データリレーサービス)
- Space Data Center Business (宇宙データセンタ事業)
- Space RAN Business / HAPS Communications (宇宙RAN事業)
- GEO Optical Data Relay Satellite (SC-A)
- On-Orbit AI Processing / Space Edge Computing
Quantifiable outcome
- 98%+ data transmission reduction through on-orbit AI processing
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Space Compass
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Space Compass technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability3 records
Feature4 records
Space Compass partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered strategic and core.
- Airbus Defence and SpacestrategicMOU signed to explore cooperation in optical communications and Earth observation solutions, combining Airbus's Earth observation expertise with Space Compass's optical data relay services.
- JAXAcoreSelected as implementing organization for Space Strategy Fund Phase II project 'R&D and demonstration for data relay services using satellite optical communication.' Support ceiling: 23.5 billion yen. Project period: December 2025 - March 2031.
- ApolinkcoreMOU with Apolink and JSAT International to explore GEO-LEO optical data relay service cooperation, connecting Apolink's LEO data relay network with Space Compass's GEO optical relay service.
- JSAT InternationalcoreMOU with Apolink and Space Compass to explore GEO-LEO optical data relay service cooperation, leveraging JSAT International's Horizons satellite fleet and US market presence.
- Swissto12coreContract with Swiss small GEO satellite specialist Swissto12 to build the first commercial GEO optical relay spacecraft (SC-A) using the compact HummingSat platform. Delivery scheduled for Japanese fiscal year 2028.
- Airspan NetworkscorePartnership to deploy 5G Air-to-Ground communications for Space Compass's High-Altitude Platform Station (HAPS), enabling maritime domain awareness from the stratosphere at 16-18km altitude with 300km range.
- Hellas SatstrategicMOU for interoperability between satellite optical communication networks across borders and operators, supporting the 'Space Integrated Computing Network' concept.
- Ministry of Defense (Japan)coreContract for 'Geostationary Inter-Satellite Optical Communication Technology Demonstration' to improve Space Domain Awareness (SDA) capabilities through optical data transmission.
- MicrosoftcoreJoint project using Azure Orbital Space SDK to demonstrate on-orbit AI processing of Earth observation data, achieving 98%+ data transmission reduction through in-space computing. Part of 2019 NTT-Microsoft strategic partnership.
- European Space Agency (ESA)strategicMOU for joint on-orbit demonstration of inter-satellite optical communication networks, exploring interoperability between LAIDEN and HydRON projects with Space Compass's GEO satellite.
- NTTcoreParent company and co-founder (50% stake) providing telecommunications infrastructure and IOWN technology expertise.
- Sky Perfect JSATcoreParent company and co-founder (50% stake) providing satellite communications operations and GEO satellite expertise.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Space Compass competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Customer concentration
Space Compass social profiles
Digital presenceSpace Compass financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Space Compass leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Space Compass funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Space Compass M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Space Compass
What does Space Compass do?
Space Compass develops and operates a Space Integrated Computing Network combining GEO-based optical data relay services for Earth observation satellites with HAPS (High Altitude Platform Station) stratospheric communications for Beyond-5G/6G connectivity. The company also provides on-orbit AI/edge computing for satellite imagery processing, achieving over 98% data transmission reduction. Its first dedicated asset is the GEO Optical Data Relay Satellite (SC-A), being built by Swissto12 on the HummingSat platform with delivery targeted for end-March 2029.
Is Space Compass a public or private company?
Space Compass is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Space Compass founded?
Space Compass was founded in 2022. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Space Compass based?
Space Compass is headquartered in Otemachi, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does Space Compass make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. 宇宙データセンタ事業 (Space Data Center) is the primary driver. The others are 宇宙RAN事業 (Space RAN).
Does Space Compass have an API?
No public API is recorded for Space Compass.