Aerospacelab, in partnership with Mitsui Bussan Aerospace (MBA), proudly announces its selection by the Japan Exploration Agency (JAXA) to supply the platform that will host JAXA’s SAMRAI payload as part of a demonstration mission—this contract represents an important step in showcasing innovative international satellite solutions.
This first partnership with both MBA and JAXA highlights Aerospacelab’s expansion into new markets and underscores its emergence as a trusted global partner in high-performance, cost-effective satellite platforms, further strengthening its position in the growing Japanese space market. This commercial agreement was made possible through the strategic support of Mitsui Bussan Aerospace, whose deep market knowledge and facilitation were key to establishing this partnership.
This partnership with Mitsui Bussan Aerospace and JAXA represents a major milestone for us”, said Benoît Deper, CEO of Aerospacelab. “Being selected and recognized as a trusted partner by JAXA is a tremendous honor and a clear endorsement of our technology, innovation, and commitment to delivering competitive, high-performance spacecraft. We’re especially grateful to Mitsui Bussan Aerospace for their invaluable support in enabling this mission. We are beyond excited to embark on this journey.”
Morihiro Aoki, CEO of Mitsui Bussan Aerospace, said, “We are honored to provide our service with Aerospacelab to JAXA playing a great role in the space development here in Japan. By combining our expertise with innovative technology and experience by Aerospacelab, we will dedicate all our strength to achieve success in this groundbreaking project.”
Further details regarding this contract between Aerospacelab, MBA and JAXA and its broader scope will be disclosed in the coming months as additional aspects are unveiled. This initial announcement serves as the foundation for what promises to be a pioneering endeavor in the field of space technology.
Aerospacelab, founded in 2018, develops, manufactures, and operates cutting-edge Earth Observation and Telecommunications satellites at scale. In 2024, the successful acquisition of AMOS marked an important milestone, further enhancing optical capabilities and introducing high-end payloads to Aerospacelab’s growing portfolio, while strengthening its global position.
With operations strategically positioned, including its Headquarters in Belgium and a factory in the U.S. (California), Aerospacelab is able to deliver innovative solutions to an expanding customer base worldwide. In 2026, Aerospacelab is set to unveil The Megafactory, Europe’s upcoming largest satellite manufacturing facilities, demonstrating its ambitious vision to shape the future of the aerospace industry.