Mitsubishi Electric Corporation announced that it acquired a stake in Synspective Inc., a Tokyo-based startup company that develops and operates small synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites and provides solutions based on satellite data, on December 16. The companies recently signed a strategic partnership memorandum to build a satellite constellation and sell satellite images for national security purposes.
Going forward, Mitsubishi Electric aims to sell satellite images for security purposes obtained from Synspective's constellation of small SAR satellites, which observe Earth's surface by emitting electromagnetic waves to the ground and analyzing the reflected waves. By leveraging the synergies between the two companies, the partnership is expected to contribute to safety and security in Japan and throughout Asia by providing services to security agencies in other countries.
As the performance of defense equipment improves worldwide, Japan is increasingly emphasizing its stand-off defense capabilities to effectively counter external attacks from a distant position outside the threat range. Specifically, the country aims to utilize satellite constellations to acquire and analyze satellite images stably to detect and track targets. On June 13, 2023, Japan's Strategic Headquarters for Space Development introduced the Space Security Initiative, which established Japan's space security goal as "to promote the peace and prosperity of Japan and the safety and security of our citizens through outer space, together with our ally, like-minded countries, and others to maintain the stable use of and free access to outer space." The primary approach to achieving this goal is "Radically Expand the Use of Space Systems for National Security (security from space)," as stated in the initiative.
Mitsubishi Electric's defense business is engaged in the development and manufacture of equipment, as well as the joint development, equipment transfer, and participation in overseas supply chains with governments and companies of various countries, in accordance with the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology set out by the Japanese government in 2014. Additionally, the company's space business has established itself as a leader in Japan's space development through a long history of developing and manufacturing satellites in both domestic and international markets.
Synspective is one of the world's few solution providers that possesses its own SAR satellite constellation. Since its establishment in 2018, the company has been developing and operating small SAR satellites, building a constellation, and generating and delivering SAR data. In addition, using its unique data-analysis capabilities, Synspective provides SAR data-based solutions to address various global challenges.
Dr. Motoyuki Arai, Founder and CEO of Synspective said: "Synspective is very pleased to announce the strategic partnership with Mitsubishi Electric. Mitsubishi Electric is a leading company with extensive experience in both the space and defense industries and its solid technological capabilities and reliable global network bring immense value to us. By integrating our technologies and services, we will strive to create new infrastructure that enables the next generation to understand the Earth and achieve a resilient future."
Tomonori Sato, Mitsubishi Electric's Executive Officer, CTO (In charge of Technology Strategies), Group President, Defense & Space Systems said: "We expect that our strategic partnership with Synspective will promote the use of small SAR satellite images in the security field. By combining Synspective's small SAR satellite solutions with our expertise and experience in the defense business, we will work to meet the new needs of our customers and make the society we live in safer and more secure."
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