Consortium Led by Axelspace Selected for Japan’s Space Strategy Fund Project “Technology to Enhance Capability of Next Generation Earth Observation Satellites”
- ANA Space Team
- 9 hours ago
- 7 min read
~ Creating Climate Solutions and New Market Opportunities through Source-Specific CO2 Emission and Uptake Monitoring via Satellite Constellation and Aircraft ~
TOKYO, Feb. xx , 2026 – Axelspace Corporation (“Axelspace”), Meisei Electric Co., Ltd.(“Meisei Electric”), ANA HOLDINGS INC.(“ANAHD”), and JIJ Inc.(“JIJ”) are pleased to announce that their jointly proposed technology development project has been selected for Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)’s Space Strategy Fund under the theme “Technology to Enhance Capability of Next Generation Earth Observation Satellites.”
Project Summary (Planned)
· Technology Development Theme: Technology to Enhance Capability of Next Generation Earth Observation Satellites
· Project Title: Source-Specific CO2 Emission and Uptake Monitoring through Satellite Constellation and Aircraft Observations
· Lead Organization: Axelspace Corporation (Principal Investigator: Akihiko Kuze)
· Partner Organizations:
o Meisei Electric Co., Ltd. (Co-Investigator: Hajime Murao, Hisato Iwashita)
o ANA HOLDINGS INC. (Co-Investigator: Ayako Matsumoto)
o JIJ Inc. (Co-Investigator: Daisuke Makino)
· Funding Opportunity: JAXA Space Strategy Fund
Background and Objectives of the Technology Development
Addressing climate change — one of the most pressing global challenges — has accelerated efforts worldwide to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and achieve net-zero targets. Governments, corporations, and municipalities across Japan and around the world are advancing technological innovation while strengthening their emissions reduction initiatives. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are a primary driver of climate change that directly impact our daily life negatively (e.g. disasters). GHG emissions and their climate impacts are also assessed from an economic perspective.
However, the fair and objective evaluation of GHG emissions and mitigation efforts requires internationally recognized quantitative methodologies, supported by robust and detailed data on emissions and reductions. With “greenwashing” — the practice of overstating environmental responsibility without substantive action — emerging as a global concern, the need for transparent and reliable observation data has never been greater.
Major space agencies in the world, including JAXA, have conducted global monitoring of atmospheric CO2 concentrations. However, GHG information that is critical for effective GHG mitigation — such as the amount of CO2 amount emitted from particular source sectors and uptaken by vegetation — remains limited and is only available for select regions or particular emission and uptake sources. To effectively support climate action, it is essential to establish advanced, precise and accurate measurement methodologies capable of generating granular GHG information to enable reliable, actionable decision-making.
Looking ahead, upon completion of this technology development, we envision establishing a new satellite constellation*1 in coordination with aircraft and ground-based sensors. This integrated system aims simultaneous, multi-point observations at different times of day — morning, noon, and afternoon — particularly in regions that house major urban areas. Leveraging these data, we will analyze and provide CO2 emission and uptake information by source sector, time, and location.
We believe that such objective and transparent information should provide a basis for an international benchmark for GHG reductions and contribute to the development of globally harmonized evaluation frameworks that incorporate economic incentives for emissions mitigation.
*1 A system in which multiple satellites operate in coordination as a single system.
Technology Development Plan
A key enabler for achieving time- and source-specific CO2 monitoring through a coordinated satellite constellation, aircraft, and ground-based observations is the miniaturization and cost reduction of spectrometers.
Spectrometers measure gas concentrations by leveraging the property that atmospheric constituents absorb light at specific wavelengths, quantifying concentrations based on the degree of absorption. Under this Space Strategy Fund initiative, we will develop a new compact sensor that can be commonly deployed across satellites, aircraft, and ground-based observations. Unlike conventional high-precision spectrometers designed for government-operated satellites — which are typically large and costly — the new sensor will incorporate advanced domestically developed detector technologies to achieve both compactness and affordability.
Following a series of aircraft-based validation tests, we plan to launch a demonstration satellite equipped with the newly developed compact sensor between FY2030 and FY2032, with the aim of acquiring in-orbit observation data.
Future Outlook
Leveraging the results of this project, we will advance commercialization efforts beyond estimating CO2 emissions and uptake at the individual operator level. To strengthen data credibility, we will accompany CO2 emission and uptake estimates with the underlying datasets used for their derivation and validation. These datasets include nitrogen dioxide (NO2) from fossil fuel combustion, solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) from vegetation, meteorological parameters such as wind direction and speed, and measurements from aircraft and ground-based meteorological networks. Through this comprehensive data integration, we aim to contribute to the establishment of internationally recognized benchmarks and standards for CO2 monitoring.
By harnessing the innovative satellite technologies developed through this initiative, the four companies will work in close partnership with stakeholders across industry, government, and academia to tackle pressing climate challenges, drive new market creation, and enhance Japan’s competitiveness on the global stage.
Lead and Partner Organizations and Their Statements
Each participating company in this project will assume the following responsibilities:
■ Axelspace Corporation (Lead)
Role in the Project: As the lead organization, Axelspace will leverage its 17 years of experience in microsatellite development and operations to support onboard sensor development and integration, establish an aircraft-based validation framework, optimize large-scale spectroscopic data processing, develop and operate a demonstration satellite, evaluate in-orbit data, and provide overall project leadership.
Comment from Yuya Nakamura, President and CEO, Axelspace Corporation:
“Japan was the first country in the world to launch a satellite dedicated to observing greenhouse gases from space — Ibuki (GOSAT). Under this Space Strategy Fund initiative, the project will be led by Akihiro Kuze, who has been engaged in greenhouse gas observation at JAXA for many years and previously served as Project Manager of the Ibuki-2 (GOSAT-2) mission.
Climate change represents one of the most urgent challenges facing humanity. To drive effective action by governments and businesses alike, objective and transparent monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions —by specific sources— is essential. By bringing together Japan’s technological capabilities and expertise, we aim to help shape international rulemaking grounded in scientific evidence, while advancing the realization of a sustainable society and the creation of new market opportunities.”
■ Meisei Electric Co., Ltd.
Role in the Project: Building on its proven track record in instrument development for Earth observation and scientific satellites, Meisei Electric will conduct the onboard integration design and evaluation of the domestically developed detector and develop a demonstration sensor for in-orbit validation.
Comment from Masanobu Natsuake, President, Meisei Electric Co., Ltd.:
“Since its establishment, Meisei Electric has grown on the foundation of environmental measurement technologies, and in recent years has advanced greenhouse gas observation using CO2 sondes and ground-based spectroscopic measurement technologies.
In the space sector, we have also built a strong track record through the development of near-infrared spectrometers for major JAXA missions, including Hayabusa2 and SLIM.
Our experience spanning both ground-based environmental monitoring and sensor development for the space environment demonstrates our unique technological strengths and integrated capabilities.
In this project, we will bring together our broad sensing expertise to participate in the development of a new sensor system incorporating a domestically developed detector. Through this project, Meisei Electric aims to enhance transparency in greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to their reduction, while further advancing our proprietary sensing technologies and delivering innovative observation solutions.”
■ ANA HOLDINGS INC.
Role in the Project: Leveraging its commercial flight network, ANAHD will combine aircraft-based observations with satellite data to validate and refine carbon budget analysis results. ANAHD will also provide onboard testing environments within its aircraft to support ground-based validation of the newly developed satellite sensor prior to its in-orbit demonstration.
Comment from Masashi Hamade, ANA Economic Sphere, and Director of Business Strategy, ANA HOLDINGS INC.:
“We are honored to participate in what will be the world’s first greenhouse gas observation project integrating a satellite constellation, scheduled commercial flights, and a ground-based network through the Space Strategy Fund. By leveraging the expertise in aircraft-based remote sensing that we have developed through our joint research with JAXA, we look forward to co-creating with Axelspace, one of Japan’s leading space startups; Meisei Electric, which possesses advanced technologies in meteorological and spaceborne sensor development; and JIJ, a pioneer in quantum technologies. We believe this collaboration will accelerate the social implementation of space industry innovations through open innovation. Through close coordination between space- and air-based infrastructure, and by harnessing quantum computing to rapidly process vast amounts of data even under complex urban atmospheric conditions, we aim to unlock the use of high-frequency, high-resolution observation data that redefines conventional standards.
We are confident that this initiative represents a significant step toward strengthening Japan’s international competitiveness.”
■ JIJ Inc.
Role in the Project: JIJ will develop high-accuracy algorithms to quantify CO2 emissions from the acquired imaging spectroscopic data and optimize source-specific emissions estimation processing, leveraging its expertise in mathematical optimization and quantum computing.
Comment from Yu Yamashiro, Co-Founder CEO, JIJ Inc.:
“Climate change is an urgent global challenge, and addressing it requires decisive action grounded in objective, data-driven insights. We are proud to announce our participation in the Space Strategy Fund project, where we will tackle this challenge alongside visionary leaders across multiple fields.
Since its founding, JIJ has pioneered the real-world application of mathematical optimization and quantum computing to solve complex structural problems—ranging from energy management to logistics network optimization. By leveraging this deep technical expertise, we will develop a novel analytical approach to derive reliable, high-accuracy estimates of CO2 emissions and uptake. Our method will integrate multi-layered observation data collected from both satellites and aircraft.
By maximizing the potential of this advanced observation infrastructure and supporting the development of transparent, internationally trusted environmental evaluation metrics, JIJ aims to contribute to a sustainable society. We remain committed to driving global impact through Japanese innovation and the creation of new, high-value markets.”
Furthermore, this project will be carried out in collaboration with Kagawa University, MUFG Bank, Ltd., Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd., and Universities Space Research Association (USRA), advancing equipment development and the establishment of robust observation methodologies — paving the way for the establishment of a satellite constellation and the real-world application of its data.
Contact: ANA Corporate Communications, TEL +81-3-6735-1111, publicrelations@ana.co.jp
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