Spaceflux, the UK space intelligence company, and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (“Mitsubishi Electric”) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore collaboration in Space Domain Awareness (SDA). Under the MoU, the two companies intend to assess the technical, commercial and operational potential of working together to address growing demand for space safety and resilience in Japan.
The agreement reflects a shared commitment to the safe, secure and sustainable use of space at a time of rapidly increasing orbital activity.
By combining Spaceflux’s expertise in optical sensing and space intelligence with Mitsubishi Electric’s deep engineering heritage and established presence in Japan, the companies aim to explore how advanced capabilities for tracking and characterising objects in orbit could be made available to customers in the Japanese market.
The MoU establishes a framework for the two companies to evaluate opportunities together and to work towards a more detailed agreement in due course. It reflects the parties’ intention to cooperate in good faith as they assess how their respective strengths might be combined to support Japan’s Space Domain Awareness ambitions.
Dr Marco Rocchetto, CEO and Co-Founder of Spaceflux, said:
“Japan is one of the world’s most ambitious and capable space nations, and the safe use of orbit is a challenge no country can meet alone. In Mitsubishi Electric we have found a partner whose engineering pedigree and standing in Japan are second to none. This Memorandum of Understanding marks the beginning of a collaboration to explore how our space domain awareness expertise can support Japan’s space ambitions, and we are excited to see what we can achieve together.”
The collaboration is being formed against the backdrop of an increasingly close relationship between the United Kingdom and Japan, who describe one another as an “Enhanced Global Strategic Partner” and continue to expand cooperation across foreign policy, advanced technology and economic security. Space is an area of growing shared interest between the two nations, and the companies believe they can make a significant contribution to that wider partnership.
The announcement also follows Dr Rocchetto’s attendance at 10 Downing Street on Sunday 14 June, where he joined business leaders from the United Kingdom and Japan to mark the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and celebrate the deepening partnership between the two nations, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Prime Minister Takaichi in attendance.
