Japan a rising power in the space arena

Amid growing security anxieties, the Japanese are looking to their considerable space technology capabilities to take on a more military role.

- Ravi Velloor

Astroscale, based in Tokyo, has long been a provider of space services, including cleaning up space junk. On Feb 27, with the award of a contract to develop a "responsive space system" demonstration satellite for Japan's Ministry of Defence, it effectively became a defence contractor.

"This contract marks a significant milestone as Astroscale Japan expands into the security and defence sector," Mr Eddie Kato, Astroscale's managing director, said in a company announcement.

"Alongside our existing government and commercial business, we have established a third pillar of our operations. By leveraging our heritage in rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) technologies, we will adapt our capabilities to the unique requirements of this sector."

Time, perhaps, to wake up and smell the sencha. What does "third pillar" and "adapting capabilities to unique requirements" really mean? Clearly, Mr Kato is referring to defence applications.

When it comes to space, much of global attention has centred on Western advances in capability building. At his Nov 5 election victory speech, for instance, then President-elect Donald Trump gushed over the spectacular "chopsticks" manoeuvre performed by SpaceX's Starship during its test flight, when the massive rocket was caught by the twin arms of the launch tower upon return to Earth.

As Mr Trump recounted: "I said, 'Elon, was that you?' He said, 'Yes, it was.' I said, 'Who else can do that? Can Russia do it? 'No.' Can China do it?' 'No'.

"Can the United States do it, other than you?' 'No, nobody can do that.' I said, 'That's why I love you, Elon, that's great."