Developing emergency abort systems for manned spacecraft by leveraging Earth-return vehicle technologies.ElevationSpace Inc. (Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture; Co-Founder / CEO: Ryohei Kobayashi, hereinafter “ElevationSpace”) has joined the “Manned Space Transportation Foundational Safety Technology” category under the Space Strategy Fund Program as a collaborating organization.Leveraging its atmospheric re-entry capsule recovery technology, ElevationSpace will conduct research and development of “Foundational technologies required for rocket-mounted safety systems to ensure crew safety during launch anomalies, specifically focusing on (1) anomaly detection and (2) abort functions.”(Theme B)This is ElevationSpace’s third initiative under the Space Strategy Fund, following the joint project with NeSTRA (Next Generation Space Systems Technology Research Association) for the "Demonstration of Deployable Aeroshell Technology for Earth Re-entry and Application to Mars Landers," and the selection of ElevationSpace’s ELS-RS service for "System Development of High-Frequency Cargo Recovery Services from Low Earth Orbit (ELS-RS)."Through participation in this project, ElevationSpace will engage in the technical development of emergency escape systems for human spaceflight and continue its commitment to advancing ElevationSpace’s human space transportation business.Solicitation OverviewUnder the Space Strategy Fund (Phase 2) technology development theme "Foundational Technologies for Ensuring Safety in Manned Space Transportation Systems", two subcategories, (A) and (B), have been established as outlined below. ElevationSpace will participate as a partner institution in Category (B).▼Objectives of the Technology Development ThemeIn alignment with the basic policy to "acquire the necessary technologies for new space transportation systems and enhance Japan’s international competitiveness," ElevationSpace aims to promote technology development with the following goals by fiscal year 2028. These efforts are intended to improve manned spaceflight predictability and facilitate early entry into the human space transportation service market.A）Establishment of foundational technologies (completion of TRL 4 or higher), verification of life support and environmental control functions for rocket-mounted pressurized cabins within an operational-equivalent environment.B）Verification of effectiveness for rocket-mounted safety systems (completion of TRL 4), verification of anomaly detection and emergency abort functions in a laboratory environment to ensure crew safety during launch anomalies.▼ Scope of Technology DevelopmentTo achieve the objectives of this technology development theme, we will implement the following:A）Development of fundamental life support, environmental control, and pressurization technologies necessary for the round-trip rocket flight of pressurized cabin systems.B)Verification of foundational rocket-mounted safety system technologies s, through verifying the following functions (1 and 2) required for safety systems to ensure crew protection during launch anomalies: １）Anomaly Detection Function: the series of functions that detect when anomalies, such as propulsion system failures or communication issues, make it impossible to ensure crew safety while attached to the rocket, subsequently issuing the command to separate the crew module. ２）Abort Function: the function that receives abort commands from the anomaly detection system and separates the crew module to a safe zone within human-tolerable limits of shock and acceleration.▼ Research PeriodA stage-gate evaluation will be conducted approximately two years after the commencement of support. Depending on the evaluation results, support may be extended for an additional period (up to approximately one year).▼ Funding Scale (Number of Selections)B) A maximum of 4 billion yen, with approximately one to two projects to be selected.▼Related Linkhttps://fund.jaxa.jp/techlist/theme2_7/Statement of Ryohei Kobayashi, Founder & CEO of ElevationSpaceWe are deeply honored to participate in the 'Foundational Technologies for Ensuring Safety in Manned Space Transportation Systems' project under the Space Strategy Fund. As human space activities accelerate globally, establishing Japan’s independent human spaceflight capability is a critical challenge—one that is essential for enhancing our autonomy and strengthening our international competitiveness. Above all, emergency escape technology, which guarantees the safety of those on board, is the most vital foundation for expanding human presence into space. By fully leveraging the expertise gained through our re-entry vehicle development, and staying true to our vision of 'Building an in-orbit transportation network to connect cargo, crew, and all orbital operations’, we are committed to contributing to the establishment of Japan’s human space transportation system.