ElevationSpace is a private Japanese company developing satellites that can conduct various experiments in orbit, and then bring its payload back to Earth inside a space capsule. ElevationSpace is a spin-off company of Tohoku University, and is headquartered in Sendai, Miyagi.
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | aerospace |
| Founded | February 2021 in Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan |
| Founder | Ryohei Kobayashi |
| Fate | Active |
| Headquarters | , Japan |
| Products | space capsules |
| Website | elevation-space |
The company's first satellite is named Aoba after Mount Aoba in Sendai.[1] On 3 March 2025, ElevationSpace announced that they had signed an agreement with Isar Aerospace to launch Aoba on a Spectrum rocket.[2]
History
editElevationSpace was founded by Ryohei Kobayashi in 2021. In 2023, ElevationSpace and Tohoku University tested a hybrid-propellant thruster that will be used on the Aoba satellite.[3]
On 29 July 2025, the company revealed plans to develop a crewed spacecraft by the 2040s.[4]
ELS-R
editELS-R is a free flying satellite carrying a space capsule, being developed by ElevationSpace. The first ELS-R is nicknamed Aoba, and will be launched on Isar Aerospace's Spectrum rocket from Andøya in Norway.[2] Several experiments are planned to be carried on board Aoba, including a growth experiment of Euglena.[5][6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "東北民間企業初の人工衛星の愛称が「あおば」に決定" (Press release) (in Japanese). ElevationSpace. October 19, 2023. Retrieved November 4, 2025.
- ^ a b Rainbow, Jason (March 4, 2025). "Isar Aerospace secures first Asian customer ahead of debut launch". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2025-11-04.
- ^ "大気圏再投入用スラスタの試験成功 東北大発ベンチャー". The Sankei Shimbun (in Japanese). August 25, 2023. Retrieved 2025-11-04.
- ^ "ElevationSpace、軌道上拠点に向かう国産有人宇宙機を開発へ". Mynavi news (in Japanese). July 29, 2025. Retrieved 2025-11-04.
- ^ "小型衛星の打ち上げを計画 ２３年、仙台のベンチャー". The Sankei Shimbun (in Japanese). September 2, 2022. Retrieved 2025-11-04.
- ^ "国際宇宙ステーションに代わる新たな技術 東北大学発宇宙ベンチャーが未来の宇宙空間をつくる ――ElevationSpace・小林稜平氏インタビュー". Hama Tech Channel (in Japanese). February 7, 2025. Retrieved 2025-11-04.