番外編#001 Introduction for International Audience｜ElevationSpaceの『宇宙、配信中。』
株式会社ElevationSpaceの、プレスリリースやイベントでは伝えきれないディープな情報を、宇宙ビジネスを取り巻くホットな話題とともに、社内の様々なメンバーと楽しくお届けするポッドキャスト番組です！
今回は番外編として、海外の方向けの英語回をお届けします。
ゲストはExternal Affairs（渉外）のIshiiさん、インタビュアーはHR（人事）でポッドキャスト編集部員のSatoです。
－ Welcome to 『宇宙、配信中。』by ElevationSpace.
I’m Sato, HR Manager at ElevationSpace, and I’m also the editor of this podcast.
Our company, based in Japan, is developing the 'Space Environment Utilization and Recovery Platform' - 'ELS-R,'
Join us on this podcast for some real talk with our team! We'll share our business story, talk about the latest space trends, and explore other interesting topics.
We're thrilled to record our first podcast in English. We hope you enjoy it!
－ Now, I’m sitting with Ishii-san, responsible for External Affairs at ElevationSpace. Hello, Ishii-san!
Ishii
Hello Sato-san and hello to everyone listening!
I am Ishii and I’ll try my best to explain what we do at ElevationSpace.
－ As part of your role, I imagine you engage with people from both Japan and abroad. So, in this podcast, I would like to ask you some questions on behalf of our international audience.
Should we start with; what is “ELS-R”?
Ishii
Okay!
ElevationSpace provides the space utilization and recovery platform called "ELS-R".
ELS-R is the only service in Japan that conducts research, development, and manufacturing in space, or low earth orbit(LEO) to be more specific, and then can retrieve those materials back to Earth.
Ishii
Our clients can use our service for various purposes such as technical demonstrations, high-quality material manufacturing, entertainment, and pretty much whatever new ideas that they come up with.
For companies aspiring to enter the space industry, we offer comprehensive support, starting from market introduction into the space industry, to preparing for space technology demonstrations and actually conducting those demonstrations in space, and followed by commercialization, all in a one-stop solution.
－ So the ELS-R is the transportation service.
And we are also expanding our service to offer our customers the comprehensive support to enter the space industry.
What makes 'ELS-R' special?
Ishii
As I mentioned earlier, the key feature is the ability to return materials flying in LEO back to Earth and that is what makes our service so special.
To recover those materials, a capsule containing the samples must detach from the satellite after de-orbit, make a re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere in one piece without burning out, and then safely reach the designated landing target.
This process requires numerous technologies, including high-power thrust propulsion systems, heat shielding, aerodynamic guidance, and many more.
Re-entry services, including rockets, are currently only offered by a few private companies.
At ElevationSpace, we are developing our own re-entry-capable satellite through research and development of the necessary technologies.
This is done in collaboration with Prof. Kuwahara from Tohoku University, who also happens to be one of our co-founders, and also incorporating insights gained from JAXA's Hayabusa missions.
－ High-power thrust propulsion systems, I understand our Engineering members are currently running the tests, and our technology to make the re-entry, these two are the technologies being developed entirely from scratch within our company.
Ishii
Yes, that is correct.
Right now, we can recover only the capsule detached from the satellite after the de-orbit. The satellite will make a re-enty into the atmosphere separately and will eventually burn up.
In the future, we want to return the entire satellite back to Earth and make it reusable.
Another future development involves the anticipated retirement of the International Space Station(ISS), in 2030.
As commercial ISS development is expected after the retirement of the current ISS, we are planning to leverage the experience gained from ELS-R service to offer a "return service" for transporting materials back from the LEO base such as commercial ISS.
－ The retirement of the ISS has significant global impact.
What plans are in place post-2030? And do you have insights into the strategies of leading nations?
Ishii
Right now, the development of commercial ISS modules is led primarily by the United States.
In the U.S., NASA supports private companies developing commercial space stations through the "Commercial Destinations Free-Flyer" program.
It’s mainly big players in the US and Europe taking on development initiatives.
－ How about Japan?
Ishii
In Japan, MITSUI & CO., LTD. has been selected by JAXA to conduct the concept study of the Japanese module to be connected to the future U.S. commercial space station.
They are currently conducting a business feasibility study for the ownership and operation of the Japanese module, which is intended to succeed the current ISS Japanese Experiment Module called "Kibo."
We are also actively involved in the conceptual study project as their partner company, being the only domestic company offering high-frequency sample return services.
Ishii
With the growing expectations of an expansion in research and development needs in space, we aim to become a key player in the post-ISS LEO development.
As a company providing cost-effective and high-frequency experiments and demonstrations in space, we would like to contribute to the advancement of the space industry and also play a significant role in the development of LEO activities beyond the ISS era.
－ It is exciting to see our company taking the initiative for the future of space utilization. What’s our next move?
Ishii
We are actively considering global expansion of our service.
There are overseas companies developing similar services, the number is still relatively small.
And as a result, we are seeing a growing interest from stakeholders in various countries.
As an external affairs officer, I am responsible for coordinating various regulations and permissions related to launch and landing in both domestic and international contexts.
In the near future, I hope, with the prospect of international expansion of our service, the complexity of coordination is likely to increase, not only in the vertical domain (Earth to space and back), but also in the horizontal domain (crossing borders between countries).
－ That is a big challenge ahead. How do you feel about it? Are you excited?
Ishii
Yes very.
Also before joining ElevationSpace, my background was in international cooperation and development, nothing to do whatsoever with space.
So I’m excited about the possibility of expanding our services to regions like Southeast Asia and Africa.
This expansion could potentially serve as a catalyst for the market entry of countries that are currently not involved in the space industry.
－ If you're interested in our service, ELS-R, or the space industry, feel free to contact us. Ishii-san will also be at different fairs and expos.
Ishii
We will be exhibiting at the 'International Space Industry Exhibition' which is going to take place at Tokyo Big Sight from February 20th to 22nd, 2024.
If you are in the neighborhood, please drop by our booth. We look forward to welcoming you.
－ Do you have any upcoming trips abroad?
Ishii
Yes, I would like to visit overseas as soon as possible to confirm the international needs of our service.
In the meanwhile, for those of you who live in Tokyo area and would like to learn more about our business or engage in a discussion, we would love to hear from you! Please feel free to reach out to us from our Website!
－ Ishii-san, thank you for your time. It was a pleasure.
We've got more talks lined up for the future. I hope you come back to the podcast again.
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