source: Warpspace
Warpspace was founded by CEO Toshihiro Kameda in June 2016 who is also an associate professor at the University of Tsukuba. CEO Kameda worked with his students to develop satellites for Project Yui which then became a spinoff company.
Warpspace offers satellite modules and ground system instruments.
source: University of Tsukuba
What makes Warpspace? Here’s my take:
source: Japan-forward.com
1. Play with space
As the foundations of Warpspace started at University with the new space concept of ‘Play with Space’ by supporting individual satellite development, launching system and operation, one could say that it all started with humble beginnings. One of the important aspects of this concept is to utilise commercially available parts, and to develop projects simply for example utilising simple structures for terrestrial antenna and so amateur radio enthusiasts and presumably students could learn, and iterate as part of the learning process. CEO Kameda focuses on the importance of ‘playfulness’ as part of their technological development and discovery.
source: Japan-forward.com
2. Value
Warpspace seems to have already proven their status and success through two events, primarily developing palm-sized satellites weighing only one kilometre and launching it and putting it into orbit within the 1 to 10 million yen. As most of us in NewSpace appreciate, launch cost is probably one of the great barriers and so the process of hacking the problem as it were, could mean success for all NewSpace actors in the future by definition in the long term.
3. Education
Warpspace offers a good model to go from University, education to doing a startup. This could lie the potential answer to Prime Minister Abe’s aim of doubling the space sector in the next 5 years. If space education, was included in the education system or be it through such ‘Playfulness’ in space sciences, then this exposure to the possibilities of engaging in space at a young age could be a great motivator for young people to enter the NewSpace sector.
source: knowledgestall.com
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Written by Helen Tung
Emergent Tech Advisor/ MINERVA fellow- Space Applications & GNSS, EU – Japan Centre
Creative Convenor, EU-Japan NewSpace2060 Illustrated Haiku Competition 2019
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