LOGOS
Ground-based
Infrastructure Technology
for Launch Sites and Spaceports
to Support High-frequency Launches
● Overview:
This project is part of Japan’s comprehensive space policy, a ten-year roadmap designed to accelerate progress in rocket and satellite technology, enhance space security, foster industrial innovation, and strengthen international partnerships.
● Excerpts from the Basic Space Program:
In view of anticipated growth in future launch demand from private companies and local governments, spaceport development—including facilities for suborbital flights and other emerging transportation businesses—will be pursued. Necessary measures will be studied and implemented, taking into account the assurance of space system functionality, regional development, and the nurturing of private small-rocket businesses.
● Overview:
As part of the Basic Space Program’s implementation strategy, we have identified technologies that require focused research and development in three key areas: transportation, space utilization, and space science and exploration.
● Excerpts from the Space Technology Strategy:
Acquiring foundational technologies that can be commonly and cost-effectively utilized in privately led rocket development and operations is essential. Important areas of development include technologies for standardizing interfaces between rockets and launch sites to accommodate multiple launch vehicles; technologies to enhance the accuracy of environmental predictions at launch (such as those related to weather, wind, and freezing layers along launch pads and flight paths); compact, portable, and low-cost telemetry technologies that are versatile and broadly applicable across multiple rockets; and cryogenic propellant control technologies enabling the safe and efficient storage, fueling, and discharge of cryogenic fuels.
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HOSPO is a commercial spaceport open to all companies and organizations. Leveraging its ideal location for launches, this next generation launch site will accommodate a wide range of spacecrafts, from small to large, including reusable vehicles, and enable frequent, liable launch operations.
To enable high-frequency launches, multiple rockets must be able to share the same launch pads with minimal hardware reconfiguration. This will be achieved by standardizing equipment, unifying specifications, and improving reliability to reduce maintenance frequency and maximize operational availability. Research and development efforts will focus on creating standardized connection systems for cryogenic fluids and high-pressure gases, as well as advancing designs that lower maintenance requirements.
For ground stations to be shared across multiple launch vehicles, it is essential to enable easy configuration changes without altering hardware while ensuring flexible placement options that can support diverse flight trajectories. To address this issue, we aim to develop a ground station that is mobile and can be equipped with a wireless data processing system to be developed using software radio technology.
Developing cryogenic propellant systems that are common to multiple launch vehicles demands (i) adaptable systems that can accommodate each vehicle’s specific needs for storage, capacity, flow, temperature and pressure and (ii) scalable infrastructure that allows straightforward expansion or downsizing. To achieve adaptability and scalability, research and development efforts will focus on a unitized cryogenic propellant management system that consolidates functions such as storage, fueling/supply, pressurization, temperature regulation, and exhaust-gas handling into modular units for flexible deployment.
High-frequency launch operations require (i) weather forecasting technologies that can deliver accurate predictions under all seasonal and environmental conditions and (ii) systems that ensure broad and proper accessibility for multiple operators. Leveraging emerging observation technologies such as drones and LiDAR, efforts will focus on enhancing the accuracy of weather prediction models essential for launches while simultaneously developing a platform that delivers integrated risk information reflecting meteorological constraints.
Applied Meteorological Engineering Consulting Services Co.,Ltd
To prepare launch sites for high-cadence operations, we will develop core technologies (e.g., flow instability prevention technologies and AI-driven systems for highly accurate propellant-usage forecasting) and methods (e.g., rapid cryogenic refueling and methods to reduce boil-off gas production) that shorten turnaround times and improve propellant efficiency.
The Space Strategy Fund was created to empower startups, private companies, and universities to pursue bold, long-term technology development projects. Guided by Japan’s Space Technology Strategy, which identifies priority technologies for Japan’s developmental support, the fund is committed to providing 1 trillion yen in support over the next 10 years. Its focus spans three core areas: space transportation, satellites, and exploration. A key performance goal is to achieve roughly 30 domestic launches per year, including both government and privately developed rockets, by early 2030s.
December 10, 2025
December 9, 2025
As part of the Space Strategy Fund’s Phase 1 theme, “Ground-Based Technology for Launch Sites and Spaceports to Support High-frequency Launches,” SPACE COTAN has begun collecting meteorological data in Taiki Town to support the development of advanced weather environment forecasting technologies.
August 5, 2025
SPACE COTAN has released the August 2025 edition of the Activity Report for the Space Strategy Fund project.
By August 2025, SPACE COTAN had held the quarterly progress review meeting for the project, and Mr. Masayasu Ishida, Program Director (PD) of the Fund, visited HOSPO for an on-site inspection. Furthermore, SPACE COTAN had opened its Tokyo office.
January 17, 2025
SPACE COTAN Co., Ltd. has been selected for the Japanese government’s Space Strategy Fund. SPACE COTAN will use this funding to develop ground-based technologies that support high-frequency launches of various launch vehicles.
SPACE COTAN is looking for pioneers to work towards a next generation launch site capable of high-frequency launches.
We are actively seeking a wide range of partnerships.
We collaborate with businesses, educational institutions, and technology innovators
and offer opportunities for site visits and joint development projects.