Launch of Joint Research with Tohoku University toward the Realization of Manned Space TransportationElevationSpace Inc. (Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture; Founder / CEO: Ryohei Kobayashi, hereinafter “ElevationSpace”) is pleased to announce that our proposal has been selected under the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s (JAXA) Innovative Space Transportation Programs – 4th research’s request for proposal (RFP).Following this selection for the RFP, ElevationSpace will advance a joint research initiative with JAXA and Tohoku University on “Post-Launch Abort Operational Scenarios and Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) for the Return of a Capsule-Type Manned Spacecraft.”OverviewFunding Agency: JAXA Research and Development DirectorateSelected Project: Innovative Space Transportation Programs – 4th research’s request for proposal (RFP)Solicitation Topic: Research on Post-Launch Abort Operational Scenarios and Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) for the Return of a Manned SpacecraftResearch Theme: Research on Post-Launch Abort Operational Scenarios and Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) for the Return of a Capsule-Type Manned SpacecraftResearch Category: Feasibility StudyResearch Period: In principle, up to one year (12 months); however, the period may be extended by up to 12 months depending on the progress of the research.Co-proposer: Tohoku UniversityInitiatives toward the Realization of Manned Space Transportation in the 2030sElevationSpace has set forth a new vision of ‘building an in-orbit transportation network to connect cargo, crew, and all orbital operations.’ Based on a re-entry vehicle capable of returning to Earth, the company is expanding its business domain to include cargo and crew transportation to orbital facilities as well as inter-orbital transportation, and is taking on the challenge of establishing an in-orbit transportation network.This collaborative research project represents an important step in advancing the atmospheric re-entry and recovery technologies that our company has cultivated in the unmanned domain toward future manned space transportation technologies. By strengthening collaboration with JAXA and Tohoku University, we aim to realize manned space transportation in the 2030s and to establish safe, reliable, Japan-originated manned return technologies.Business Roadmap toward the Realization of Manned Space TransportationStatement of Ryohei Kobayashi, Founder & CEO of ElevationSpaceWe are honored to have been preliminarily selected for JAXA’s Innovative Space Transportation Programs. Guided by our vision of ‘building an in-orbit transportation network to connect cargo, crew, and all orbital operations,’ we have been advancing the commercialization of re-entry and recovery technologies. This preliminary selection represents an important step in evolving the technologies we have cultivated in the unmanned domain toward future manned space transportation. In collaboration with JAXA and Tohoku University, we will take on the challenge of establishing safe, reliable, and Japan-originated manned return technologies.About ElevationSpace:ElevationSpace is a space startup with the vision of "Building an in-orbit transportation network to connect cargo, crew, and all orbital operations." In collaboration with Tohoku University and JAXA, ElevationSpace is leveraging Japan's world-class re-entry technology to develop a space transportation service that facilitates the return of goods from space to Earth. The company is focused on creating small spacecraft capable of transporting items that have been experimented on, developed, and manufactured in the microgravity environment back to Earth. More information: https://elevation-space.com/enThe International Space Station (ISS), which has been used for a wide range of purposes from basic scientific experiments to industrial applications, has been scheduled to cease operation at the end of 2030 due to structural lifespan and other factors, and securing a continuous "place" for utilizing the space environment has become an issue. With an eye on the "post-ISS era," ElevationSpace aims to provide a space environment utilization platform called "ELS-R” and “ELS-RS,” a high-frequency recovery capsule designed for return missions from space stations. "ELS-R" is the first service of its kind in Japan to use an unmanned small satellite to conduct experiments and demonstrations that take advantage of the zero-gravity environment, and then return it to Earth and to customers.Concept movie showing the image of the "ELS-R" service%3Ciframe%20width%3D%22560%22%20height%3D%22315%22%20src%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fembed%2F_2m_GXSDvdI%3Fsi%3Dxgts_ryJnp4D06sd%22%20title%3D%22YouTube%20video%20player%22%20frameborder%3D%220%22%20allow%3D%22accelerometer%3B%20autoplay%3B%20clipboard-write%3B%20encrypted-media%3B%20gyroscope%3B%20picture-in-picture%3B%20web-share%22%20referrerpolicy%3D%22strict-origin-when-cross-origin%22%20allowfullscreen%3D%22%22%3E%3C%2Fiframe%3E