Interstellar Technologies#ZERO orbital rocket

{{about|the Japanese spacelaunch rocket company|interstellar technology|interstellar travel|and|interstellar communication}}

{{nihongo|Interstellar Technologies, Inc.|インターステラテクノロジズ（株）|Intāsutera Tekunorojizu (kabu)|lead=yes}}, or IST, is a Japanese private spaceflight company aiming to eventually build a launch vehicle for smallsats under 100 kg. It is a rocket spacelaunch company developing the {{Ill|MOMO (rocket)|lt=MOMO|ja|MOMO (ロケット)}} (also Momo, etc.) sounding rocket and the orbital launch vehicles called {{Ill|ZERO (rocket)|lt=ZERO|ja|ZERO (ロケット)|fr|ZERO (fusée)}} and DECA. Interstellar's stated goal is to reduce the cost of access to space.{{cite news |url= https://techcrunch.com/2017/07/31/japans-potential-spacex-competitor-achieves-mixed-results-in-first-launch/ |title= Japan's potential SpaceX competitor achieves mixed results in first launch |author= Darrell Etherington |date= 31 July 2017 |publisher= Tech Crunch }}{{cite news|url=http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201806300033.html|title=Privately backed Japanese rocket a fireball soon after launch|author=SHOTARO HAMADA|date=30 June 2018|newspaper=Asahi Shimbun|access-date=1 July 2018|archive-date=1 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701111659/http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201806300033.html|url-status=dead}} Interstellar is attempting to have the first privately developed rocket in Japan to reach space.

History

The group that became Interstellar Technologies was created as a hobbyist organization in 1997.{{cite web |url= https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/07/japanese-company-preparing-for-countrys-first-private-rocket-launch/ |title= Japanese company preparing for country's first private rocket launch |author= Eric Berger |author-link=Eric Berger (meteorologist) |website= Ars Technica |date= 26 July 2017 }} Interstellar Technologies predecessor company was established in 2003 by Takafumi Horie, who previously founded the ISP Livedoor. It was established to develop rockets to launch small satellites. It became Interstellar Technologies in 2005 (some sources name the year 2013 as the founding year of Interstellar Technologies{{Cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/07/27/national/science-health/privately-launched-momo-4-rocket-fails-liftoff-crashes-sea-off-hokkaido/|title=Privately launched Momo-4 rocket fails after liftoff, crashes into sea off Hokkaido|date=July 27, 2019|website=The Japan Times}}).

In 2017, it became the first Japanese company to launch a privately developed space rocket, though the launch was unsuccessful. A subsequent test in 2019 was successful at taking a 20 kg payload on a suborbital trajectory to the edge of space. {{asof|2017}}, the company planned to develop a rocket by 2020 that would be capable of launching small satellites into orbit.{{cite news |url= https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-07-31/japan-attempts-first-rocket-launch-to-join-spacex |title= Japan Attempts First Rocket Launch to Join SpaceX |author= Naomi Schanen |date= 30 July 2017 |publisher= Bloomberg }} As of 2018, the president is Takahiro Inagawa.{{cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/4306608/rocket-explodes-japan-start-up/|title=Rocket fails, explodes seconds after launch for Japanese startup|author=Global News|date=30 June 2018|publisher=Global TV (Canada)|agency=The Canadian Press (CP)}}

In March 2018, Interstellar entered into a business alliance with Nippon Travel Agency and Space Development Corp.{{cite magazine|last=Warwick|first=Graham|date=July 3, 2018|title=Second Setback For Japanese Rocket Startup|url=http://aviationweek.com/space/second-setback-japanese-rocket-startup?NL=AW-05&Issue=AW-05_20180705_AW-05_533&sfvc4enews=42&cl=article_5_4&elq2=0e8a0c839def4d928a1a8c46cc201788|magazine=Aviation Week}} In May 2018, Interstellar received an investment of ¥19.8 million from Kushiro Manufacturing.

As of June 2018, the company had raised about ¥30 million (about {{USD|250,000}}) in crowdfunding.{{cite news|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/06/30/national/science-health/hokkaido-launch-privately-developed-rocket-fails/|title=Interstellar Technology's second rocket crashes seconds after liftoff in Hokkaido|date=30 June 2018|newspaper=Japan Times}}

In January 2025, Interstellar received a $44 million investment from Woven by Toyota.{{Cite web |last=Werner |first=Debra |date=2025-01-07 |title=Interstellar and Toyota forge strategic partnership |url=https://spacenews.com/interstellar-and-toyota-forge-strategic-partnership/ |website=SpaceNews |language=en-US}}

Rockets

= MOMO sounding rocket =

The initial rocket the company is developing is the MOMO sounding rocket:

First launch: 30 July 2017 (failure)
First successful launch: 3 May 2019 (UTC)
Launch attempts: 7 (3 successful)
Height: {{convert|10|m|ft|abbr=on}}
Diameter: {{convert|50|cm|in|abbr=on}}
Mass: {{convert|1|tonne|ton}}
Apogee: {{convert|100|km|mi|abbr=on}}, capable of reaching the Karman line or the boundary of space.
Payload to Karman line: {{convert|20|kg|lb|abbr=on}}{{cite web |title=MOMO |url=http://www.istellartech.com/technology/momo |website=Interstellar Technologies Inc |access-date=7 July 2018 |ref=MOMO-OFFICIAL}}
Engine: Custom Helium Pressure-fed engine with 12 kilonewtons of thrust{{Cite web |title=User Guide of Sounding Rocket MOMO ver 0.2 |url=http://www.istellartech.com/7hbym/wp-content/themes/ist/img/technology/MOMOUsersguide_eng_ver.0.2.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605011756/http://www.istellartech.com/7hbym/wp-content/themes/ist/img/technology/MOMOUsersguide_eng_ver.0.2.pdf |archive-date=2020-06-05 |access-date=2020-04-23 |publisher=Interstellar Technologies Inc.}}
Propellants: Ethanol with Liquid Oxygen (LOX)
Attitude control: Gimballed thrust for steering, cold gas thrusters for roll control{{Cite web |last=Krebs |first=Gunter Dirk |title=Momo |url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau/momo.htm |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=Gunter's Space Page}}
Cost: ¥50 million (~$440 thousand)

== MOMO v1 ==

In response to the problems encountered in the engine nozzle and ignitor during the fifth launch and in the first attempt of the sixth launch (June and July 2020 respectively) Interstellar Technology began development of a full system upgrade.{{cite press release |url=http://www.istellartech.com/archives/3639 |title=Interstellar Technologies To Launch their Coming Sounding Rocket "Rocket of NEJI" on July 3 |date=1 July 2021 |access-date=3 July 2021 |publisher=Interstellar Technologies}} During a video conference on June 1, 2021 they announced the end of the upgrading process that focused on engine system, airframe equipment, avionics, and ground support equipment {{cite press release |url=http://www.istellartech.com/archives/3585 |title=[Press Release] Completely improved "Screw Rocket" |date=1 June 2021 |access-date=3 July 2021 |publisher=Interstellar Technologies |archive-date=1 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210601053125/http://www.istellartech.com/archives/3585 |url-status=dead }} resulting in new nozzles, new ignitors, an increase in dry mass by 40 kg, in propellant mass by 30 kg, in length by 0.2 m and in thrust by 2 kN.{{cite AV media |date=1 June 2021 |title=2021年6月1日(火)13時〜ねじのロケット開発状況に関する会見 |trans-title=June 1, 2021 (Tuesday) 13: 00-Interview on the development status of screw rockets |language=japanese |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTBWvuz-_W0 |access-date=3 July 2021 |publisher=Interstellar Technologies}} Due to the heavy modifications performed the company started referring to the previous version of the rocket as MOMO v0, while the upgraded one is now being called MOMO v1.

== MOMO flight testing ==

The flight test program began in mid-2017:

scope="col" \| Flight No. ! scope="col" \| Date (UTC) ! scope="col" \| Launch site ! scope="col" \| Suborbital apogee or achieved altitude ! scope="col" \| Outcome
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width: 100%;"
rowspan="2" \| 1 \| 30 July 2017 \|Taiki, Hokkaido, Japan \|{{convert\|20\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} \| {{Failure}}
colspan="4" \|Rocket failed after launch. Contact was lost 66 seconds after launch, triggering an emergency engine shutdown. The rocket reached an altitude of {{convert\|20\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}}. This represented the first privately funded space rocket to be launched in Japan. The launch cost about ¥50 million (US$440,000).
rowspan="2" \| 2 \|30 June 2018 \|Taiki, Hokkaido, Japan \| \| {{Failure}}
colspan="4" \|Four seconds after liftoff, the rocket came crashing back down onto the pad, exploding violently.
rowspan="2" \| 3 \|4 May 2019 \|Taiki, Hokkaido, Japan \|{{Convert\|113.4\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} \| {{Success}}
colspan="4" \|The first commercially developed Japanese rocket to reach the Kármán line, the internationally recognized edge of space. The rocket landed in the sea.{{cite news\|url=https://japantoday.com/category/national/Rocket-launched-by-start-up-firm-reaches-outer-space-for-first-time\|title=Rocket launched by start-up firm reaches outer space for first time\|date=4 May 2019\|newspaper=Japan Times}}{{Cite web\|url=http://www.istellartech.com/7hbym/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/PressRelease_2019050701.pdf\|title=Interstellar Technologies Inc. press Release on MOMO F3\|last=Inagawa\|first=Takahiro\|date=7 May 2019\|website=Interstellar Technologies\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506203702/http://www.istellartech.com/7hbym/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/PressRelease_2019050701.pdf\|archive-date=6 May 2019\|access-date=7 May 2019}} The countdown to the launch used the singing synthesizer software Hatsune Miku.{{cite web\|url=https://blog.piapro.net/2019/04/z1904231-1.html\|title=【その他（お知らせ）】「MOMO3号機」の打上げ実験日時が決定！応援内容のおさらいも！\|date=April 23, 2019\|publisher=Crypton Future Media\|language=ja\|access-date=October 16, 2019}}
rowspan="2" \| 4 \|27 July 2019 \|Taiki, Hokkaido, Japan \|{{Convert\|13\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} \| {{Failure}}
colspan="4" \|Failed (onboard computer detected a problem and shut down the engine early) shortly after liftoff. The rocket reached altitude of 13 km and fell into sea 9 km offshore. The rocket carried some experiments, for example a heat-resistant paper plane to be released from space, and a low-frequency sound sensor developed by Kochi University of Technology to observe sound created by lightning, typhoons and volcanic eruptions.{{cite news\|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/07/27/national/science-health/privately-launched-momo-4-rocket-fails-liftoff-crashes-sea-off-hokkaido/#.XT4KEd_OM0M\|title=Privately launched Momo-4 rocket fails after liftoff, crashes into sea off Hokkaido\|date=27 July 2019}}
rowspan="2" \|5 \|14 June 2020 \|Taiki, Hokkaido, Japan \|{{Convert\|11.5\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} \| {{Failure}}
colspan="4" \|About 35 seconds into flight, shortly after reaching max-Q, sparks were observed near the engine nozzle. About thirty seconds later, ground controllers issued an abort command which caused the rocket to tumble and fall into the ocean.{{Cite web\|url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/06/13/interstellar-technologies-privately-developed-momo-5-rocket-falls-short-of-reaching-space/\|title=Interstellar Technologies' privately developed MOMO-5 rocket falls short of reaching space\|date=13 June 2020 }}{{Cite web\|url=https://www.space.com/interstellar-technologies-momo-f5-rocket-launch-failure.html\|title=Japan's Interstellar Technologies fails to reach space with private rocket launch\|first=Tariq Malik 14\|last=June 2020\|website=Space.com\|date=14 June 2020 }}
rowspan="2" \| 6 \|3 July 2021 \|Taiki, Hokkaido, Japan \|{{Convert\|99\|km\|mi\|abbr=on}} \| {{Success}}
colspan="4" \|First flight of the improved version MOMO v1. It reached an apogee of 99 km and landed in the sea 10 minutes after liftoff.{{cite tweet \|author=インターステラテクノロジズ／なつのロケット団 \|user=natsuroke \|number=1411264149313654789 \|title=＼速報／ねじのロケットの打上げは正常に実施されました \|trans-title=\ Breaking news / The launch of the Screw Rocket was successful \|date=3 July 2021 \|language=japanese}} The rocket was named Screw Rocket by the main sponsor of the launch, Sunco Industries Co., and carried an infrasound sensor from the Kochi University of Technology.{{cite web \|last=Matsumura \|first=Takehiro \|url=https://sorae.info/space/20210703-momo7-ist.html \|title=IST「ねじのロケット」打ち上げ実施、2019年以来2度目の宇宙空間到達に成功！ \|trans-title=IST launches "Screw Rocket", succeeds in reaching outer space for the second time since 2019! \|work=sorae \|date=3 July 2021 \|access-date=3 July 2021 \|language=ja}} A single rose from Hana-Cupid was also launched on this flight.{{cite web \|url=https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000038.000017925.html \|title=観測ロケットMOMO「ねじのロケット」打ち上げ成功！花キューピットは宇宙までお花をお届けしました \|trans-title=MOMO sounding rocket "Screw Rocket" launched successfully! Hana-Cupid has delivered flowers to space \|work=PR TIMES \|date=3 July 2021 \|access-date=3 July 2021 \|language=ja}} Despite the MOMO unit's number (F7), this was the sixth flight of the sounding rocket.{{Cite web\|last=Jones\|first=Caleb\|title=MOMO {{!}} Flight 7\|url=https://spacelaunchnow.me/launch/momo-flight-7/\|access-date=2021-07-25\|website=Space Launch Now\|language=en}}
rowspan="2" \|7 \|31 July 2021{{Cite web\|title=【プレスリリース】「TENGAロケット」打上げを2021年7月31日（土）に実施\|url=http://www.istellartech.com/archives/3678\|access-date=2021-07-31\|website=インターステラテクノロジズ株式会社 – Interstellar Technologies Inc.\|language=ja\|archive-date=2021-08-05\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805034211/http://www.istellartech.com/archives/3678\|url-status=dead}} \|Taiki, Hokkaido, Japan \|92.3 km (57.4 mi) \|{{Success}}
colspan="4" \|Second flight of the improved version MOMO v1. Despite the MOMO unit's number (F6), this was the seventh flight of the sounding rocket. The company aimed to reach space for the third time.{{Cite web\|last=Jones\|first=Caleb\|title=MOMO {{!}} Flight 6\|url=https://spacelaunchnow.me/launch/momo-flight-6/\|access-date=2021-07-25\|website=Space Launch Now\|language=en}} Featuring a special, red paint job as well as the slogan "Love and Freedom and TENGA" painted on the side, the rocket was named TENGA Rocket after the sponsor, sex toy manufacturer Tenga Co., Ltd., which was also the first ever single sponsor received by Interstellar Technologies.{{Cite web\|title=Interstellar Technologies to launch TENGA Rocket on July 31 2021\|url=http://www.istellartech.com/7hbym/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/cca28a0ad76cb82f213928ed1261192b.pdf\|access-date=2021-07-31\|website=インターステラテクノロジズ株式会社 – Interstellar Technologies Inc.\|language=en-US}} It carried out payload release and recovery mission (unknown if it was successful), the first time for a private entity in Japan. A special masturbator outfitted with sensors was launched along the rocket, aiding development of TENGA's namesake series development for use in space.

= ZERO orbital rocket =

The ZERO launch vehicle is aimed at orbital launches of smallsats.{{cite web |title=ZERO |url=https://www.istellartech.com/launch/zero |website=Interstellar Technologies |access-date=7 December 2023 |ref=ZERO-OFFICIAL}}

First launch: 2025 (planned){{cite web |last=Werner |first=Debra |url=https://spacenews.com/japans-interstellar-aims-for-orbital-launch-in-2025/ |title=Japan's Interstellar aims for orbital launch in 2025 |work=SpaceNews |date=9 August 2023 |access-date=7 December 2023}}
Payload to {{convert|500|km|mi|abbr=on}} Sun-Synchronous Orbit: {{convert|250|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
Fuel: Liquid biomethane (LBM){{cite press release |url=https://www.istellartech.com/en_news/8532 |title=IST Succeeds in Static Fire Test for Small Satellite Launch Vehicle ZERO |work=Interstellar Technologies |date=7 December 2023 |access-date=7 December 2023}}

= DECA orbital rocket =

On 25 January 2023, IST announced plans to develop the DECA launch vehicle.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-25 |title=Interstellar Technologies Plans Development of “DECA”, Japan’s First Private-Sector Large Launch Vehicle {{!}} インターステラテクノロジズ株式会社 – Interstellar Technologies Inc. |url=https://www.istellartech.com/news/press/7437 |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=インターステラテクノロジズ株式会社 - Interstellar Technologies Inc. |language=ja}}{{Cite web |title=ISTの次世代ロケットは「DECA」、1段目ロケット再使用で打上コストを10分の1に |url=https://monoist.itmedia.co.jp/mn/articles/2301/25/news080.html |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=MONOist |language=ja}}{{Cite web |date=2023-01-24 |title=IST、日本初の民間大型ロケット「DECA」開発を表明–衛星コンステレーション形成へ |url=https://uchubiz.com/article/new12862/ |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=UchuBiz |language=ja}}{{Cite web |date=2023-01-24 |title=IST、日本初の民間大型ロケット「DECA」開発を表明--打ち上げコスト10分の1狙う |url=https://japan.cnet.com/article/35198999/ |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=CNET Japan |language=ja}}

DECA is a larger launch vehicle that can build small satellite constellations, launch large satellites into orbit, and transport cargo to the International Space Station, thereby contributing to the expansion of Japan’s space transportation capabilities. DECA will also be responsible for launching the satellite constellation targeted by the satellite developer Our Stars, a wholly owned subsidiary of IST.

Launch site

The launch site of IST resides next to the Taiki Aerospace Research Field of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency,{{Cite web |date=March 29, 2024 |title=Interstellar Selected by JAXA as Priority Launch Provider |url=https://spacewatch.global/2024/03/interstellar-selected-by-jaxa-as-priority-launch-provider/ |website=spacewatch.global}} located within the Taiki Multi-Purpose Aerospace Park, which is an aerodrome in Taiki, Hokkaido, Japan.{{Cite web |title=Launch Complex |url=https://www.istellartech.com/ |access-date=2023-12-23 |website=Interstellar Technologies Inc. |language=en}}

Launch Complex-0 (LC-0) is the launch site for MOMO and the static engine test facility for MOMO and ZERO.

Launch Complex-1 (LC-1) is a new launch pad for ZERO and is planned to be available in FY2023.{{cite web |date=23 April 2021 |script-title=ja:目指すは“宇宙版シリコンバレー”、アジア初の宇宙港を北海道で実現せよ |url=https://monoist.atmarkit.co.jp/mn/articles/2104/22/news043.html |access-date=25 April 2021 |publisher=MONOist |language=Japanese}} LC-1 will include a Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) and development and test facilities. LC-1 will be equipped with an exhaust duct to reduce noise from the engine jet and minimize damage to the satellite from vibration.

Launch Complex-2 (LC-2) is another launch pad designed for more frequent launches of ZERO and is planned to be available in FY2025. LC-2 will include a Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) capable of preparing multiple launch vehicles simultaneously.

In April 2021, a plan to expand the park into a private sector spaceport, {{Ill|Hokkaido Spaceport|ja|北海道スペースポート}}, was announced. The current 1000-meter runway is planned to be extended to 1300 meters, and building a new 3000-meter runway is also considered.{{cite web |date=23 April 2021 |script-title=ja:「北海道スペースポート」が本格始動へ、新たに運営会社SPACE COTANが設立 |url=https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20210423-1876915/ |access-date=28 April 2021 |publisher=Mynavi |language=Japanese}}

References

External links

{{in lang|ja}} Official website: [http://www.istellartech.com/ インターステラテクノロジズ株式会社 - Interstellar Technologies Inc.]
{{in lang|en}} [https://www.istellartech.com/en インターステラテクノロジズ株式会社 - Interstellar Technologies Inc.]
{{YouTube|channel=UCxqoT-HSpNZeIZaT5dgHXaQ|title=インターステラテクノロジズ（株）|suffix=}} Interstellar Technologies {{in lang|ja}}

Category:Space program of Japan

Category:Commercial spaceflight

Category:Private spaceflight companies

Category:Technology companies established in 2005

Category:Aerospace companies of Japan