ElevationSpace Inc., a Japanese space company developing in-orbit demonstration and Earth-return services, and SSC Space, a global provider of advanced space services, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a framework to explore long-term cooperation in microgravity research, payload development, suborbital and orbital launch services, atmospheric re-entry and recovery, and ground station services.From left: Hiramatsu Takashi, Deputy Director at METI, Space Industry Division, Manufacturing Industries Bureau; Ryohei Kobayashi, Co-Founder & CEO at ElevationSpace; Charlotta Sund, CEO & President at SSC Space; Viktoria Flodöö Li, Ambassador of Sweden to Japan;The MoU was signed at the Swedish Ambassador’s Residence in Tokyo on 14 October 2026, ahead of a reception celebrating the establishment of the Japanese SSC Space subsidiary, attended by the company’s CEO Charlotta Sund.Under the MoU, the two companies will explore joint opportunities in research and technology development in Japan, Sweden and internationally – combining ElevationSpace’s development of in-orbit demonstration, re-entry, and recovery mission capabilities, with SSC Space capabilities in sounding rockets, payload development, launch and ground station services. Opportunities include the utilization of Esrange Space Center in Sweden, owned and operated by SSC Space, as well as business development.Comment: ElevationSpace Co-Founder & CEO Ryohei KobayashiWe are deeply honored to announce our collaboration with SSC Space, a leading provider of European space infrastructure. Through this MoU, by combining SSC Space's extensive infrastructure with our in-orbit demonstration, atmospheric re-entry, and recovery capabilities, we will be able to offer flexible, high-value options for space environment utilization to global customers. Under this strong partnership, we look forward to laying a solid foundation for our future missions in the European market while continuing our push toward realizing our mission of ‘Create a world where everyone can live in space.Comment: SSC Space CEO & President Charlotta SundSSC Space and ElevationSpace bring complementary strengths to space operations, research and technology development. By working together, we hope to connect our capabilities, networks and expertise to expand opportunities for future scientific and demonstration missions, while building a lasting partnership between the emerging space communities in Sweden and Japan.Comment: SSC Space Country Manager Japan Mac KanazawaThis MoU creates the necessary framework for our companies to explore joint business opportunities in Japan, Sweden and internationally. We look forward to utilizing our combined expertise and infrastructure to help researchers and businesses realize their ideas.About SSC SpaceSSC Space (formerly Swedish Space Corporation) is a leading global provider of advanced space services, with more than 50 years of experience. We help space organizations, research institutes, commercial and institutional actors from all over the world to get access to space. With local presence on all continents and about 750 committed employees, we offer specialist expertise in satellite communications and satellite control services, spacecraft operations, rocket and balloon systems, launch services and flight test services, as well as engineering, operations and consultancy services for space missions. We enable successful space projects within Earth observation, telecommunications, security, meteorology, navigation and positioning, scientific research and other applications. Among our strongest assets are Esrange Space Center in northern Sweden, set out to be a leading provider of satellite launch services from mainland Europe, as well as one of the world’s largest commercial ground station networks for satellite communications. For more information, visit www.sscspace.com. About ElevationSpaceElevationSpace 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 a microgravity environment back to Earth, visit https://elevation-space.com/en.