Yspace

What Yspace does

Yspace is a Japanese space startup founded in June 2018 and headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo, that operates two interlocking business lines around lunar exploration and development. The first is a Lunar Data Platform business that uses satellite data to render a 3D map of the Moon's surface in VR, intended to support simulation, planning, and risk management for lunar exploration, construction, transportation, and infrastructure. The second is a Space Transportation business focused on Earth-to-Moon logistics, where the company is conducting market sizing and cost/risk analysis in partnership with logistics operators. Yspace is led by Representative Director and CEO Goichi Kawasaki and General Manager Akihiro Iwasaki.

The company's product portfolio includes the Lunar Data Platform and Space Transportation services as core offerings, complemented by four professional service lines: VR Contents Production, 3D Modeling and CG Production, Space Event Planning and Implementation, and Space Education. In parallel, Yspace runs an active R&D program covering solid rocket propellant research (including X-ray CT image analysis of AP/HTPB composite propellants, published at AIAA SciTech Forum 2023), lunar and planetary exploration system design, and space project management. Academic and industry partners include Kansai University, Nihon University, Tokai University, SG Moving Inc., and Holos Entertainment, and Yspace was selected for JETRO's Startup City Acceleration Program in November 2021 to support international expansion.

Commercially, Yspace operates an enterprise field-sales model targeting science museums, commercial facilities, universities, and government bodies with bespoke, project-based engagements quoted on a custom basis with monthly billing. Distribution is single-country/domestic, with public outreach through the company website, PRtimes press releases, conference presentations (JSASS, AIAA SciTech), and on-site exhibitions such as the November 2022 Shibuya Scramble Square Space Brothers Exhibition. The company has no disclosed funding, no disclosed revenue, and a minimal named team, and therefore operates as an early-stage, founder-led R&D and services entity rather than a venture-backed scale-up.

Name

Yspace

Legal name

株式会社Yspace（ワイスペース）

Website

https://yspace.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Yspace is a Japanese space startup that builds a satellite-data-driven 3D lunar VR platform and conducts Earth-to-Moon logistics research, serving science museums, commercial venues, universities, and government clients with bespoke VR content, 3D modeling, events, and space education services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Space Technology Services

NAICS

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518210)

SIC

Services-Computer Processing & Data Preparation (7374)

akta.pro primary industry

Ground Segment Systems (Ground Stations, TT&C, Mission Ops) (IMABACAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Spacecraft Propulsion (In-Space) & Thrusters (IMABACAE)

Keywords

• Lunar data platform
• Space transportation services
• VR content development
• Rocket propellant research
• Space education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Tsukuba

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. VR Content Commissioned Development: Custom VR content development services commissioned by clients (science museums, commercial facilities). Revenue recognized on a project-by-project basis, one-time service fees.
2. 3D Model and CG Production: High-quality 3D model and computer graphics production for promotional videos, websites, and events. Billed as project-based professional services.
3. Space Event Planning and Execution: Planning and delivery of space-themed VR events at science museums and commercial facilities. Project-based professional services revenue.
4. Space Education Services: Space development education delivered at science museums, facilities, and via online classes. Revenue from educational service engagements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Yspace operates a Lunar Data Platform that uses satellite data to build 3D VR visualizations of the lunar surface for exploration, construction, and infrastructure planning, and a Space Transportation Business focused on Earth-to-Moon logistics market sizing, cost/risk analysis, and rocket development support. It complements these with commissioned VR content, 3D/CG production, space event planning, and space education services delivered to museums, universities, and commercial facilities.

Product overview

Yspace operates as a space startup offering a portfolio of interconnected products and services centered on lunar exploration and space development. The core offerings consist of a Lunar Data Platform (using satellite data to create 3D VR visualizations of the Moon's surface) and a Space Transportation Business (focusing on Earth-Moon logistics). These are complemented by four service offerings: VR Contents Production, 3D Modeling/CG Production, Space Event Planning, and Space Education. The company also conducts R&D in rocket propellant technology, lunar/planetary exploration systems, and project management. Most recently, a Business Skill Training Board Game was developed through an academic partnership with Tokai University.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Lunar Data Platform A satellite data-driven platform that visualizes the lunar environment in VR space and provides a 3D map of the Moon's surface for applications in exploration, construction, transportation, and infrastructure development.
• Space Transportation Business Logistics services between Earth and the Moon, including market size estimation, cost and risk analysis for introducing logistics services, and support for rocket development and space exploration management.
• VR Contents Production Commissioned VR development using satellite data based on scientific evidence, providing realistic experience value for lunar exploration and space development applications.
• 3D Modeling / CG Production Production of high-quality 3D models and computer graphic images used for promotional videos, website images, and events.
• Space Event Planning Planning and implementation of space VR events tailored to specific venues such as science museums and retail facilities.
• Space Education Space development education business conducted at science museums and facilities or through online space classes, developing human resources with space talent.
• Business Skill Training Board Game A board game developed through joint research with Tokai University and Holos Entertainment for business skill training, developed in collaboration with Dr. Shirasawa of Tokai University.

Quantifiable outcome

• Yspace's VR lunar visualization was exhibited at Shibuya Scramble Square's Space Brothers Exhibition, reaching a large public audience
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Tokai University (東海大学)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 April 2024Joint research with Tokai University and Holos Entertainment to develop a business skill training board game. Tokai University's Dr. Shirasawa presented the board game on TOKYO FM radio and a dedicated website was launched. A press release was issued by Tokai University about the collaboration.
• Holos Entertainment Inc. (株式会社ホロスエンターテインメント)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 April 2024Co-developed a business skill training board game with Tokai University. Holos Entertainment worked with Yspace in the joint research team, with Tokai University issuing a dedicated press release about the game.
• SG Moving Inc. (SGムービング株式会社)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 October 2023Yspace and SG Moving signed a joint research agreement on logistics services for future space transportation. The collaboration focuses on estimating the size of the earth-to-moon logistics market and investigating the costs and risks of introducing logistics services, building a seamless transportation ecosystem between space and Earth.
• Nihon University (日本大学)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 October 2023Yspace and Nihon University entered into a joint research contract for research on solid rocket propellant and utilization systems that can be operated in space environments. This supports Yspace's R&D efforts in rocket propulsion technology for lunar transportation.
• Kansai University, School of Science and Technology, Quantum Radiation Photo Physics Laboratory (関西大学 システム理工学部 量子放射光物理研究室)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2021Primary joint research partner for rocket propellant research. Collaborative studies include X-ray CT image analysis of composite propellant and mechanical property evaluation of solid propellants under cryogenic conditions. Multiple papers co-authored and presented at AIAA SciTech Forum and JSASS conferences.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Planet Labs: Commercial satellite operator providing high-cadence Earth observation imagery. Comparable as a satellite-data-turned-platform-services company, though at very different scale and Earth-focused.
• Maxar Technologies: Major satellite imagery and Earth intelligence provider. Compares to Yspace as a satellite data provider serving commercial and government customers, though operating at vastly larger scale and focused on Earth observation.

Direct peers

• Intuitive Machines: US-based lunar services company providing payload delivery, communications, and surface exploration data. Direct overlap in providing commercial lunar data and transportation services.
• Astrobotic Technology: US-based lunar logistics company providing payload delivery and surface data services to the Moon. Comparable as a lunar services/data provider, though operating at significantly larger scale and capital base.
• SpaceVR: Space-themed VR content company offering immersive space experiences. Closest peer to Yspace's VR content production and space education lines, though with different content (Earth orbits vs lunar surface).
• ispace: Japanese lunar exploration company developing lunar landers and surface exploration services. Most comparable peer as a Japanese space startup with lunar-focused commercial ambitions and government-program participation.

Others

• Skyroot Aerospace: Indian launch services company with stated lunar ambitions. Tangentially comparable as a space startup targeting future lunar transport services and Earth-Moon logistics market opportunity Yspace is also researching.

Regional players

• Astroscale: Japan-headquartered satellite services company focused on space sustainability and orbital debris removal. Comparable as a Japanese space startup operating in adjacent commercial space-services categories with government backing.
• Axelspace: Japanese microsatellite operator providing Earth observation data and satellite constellation services. Comparable as a Japanese space startup with similar upstream-data/downstream-services structure, though focused on Earth imaging rather than lunar.

Emerging players

• Cesium (Epic Games): 3D geospatial visualization platform for terrain rendering and digital twins. Comparable as a 3D visualization technology provider serving enterprise simulation, planning, and infrastructure use cases similar to Yspace's lunar visualization platform.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/teamyspace
• Facebookfacebook.com/TeamYspace

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Yspace