For about 40 years, Taiki Town in southern Hokkaido's Tokachi region has been promoting itself as a "space town." In 2021, it took a steady step closer to the stars with the opening of Hokkaido Spaceport (HOSPO), a commercial spaceport open to the private sector. It sounds like something out of science fiction, but we spoke with Yoshinori Odagiri, president of SPACE COTAN, the company responsible for the development and operation of this port, about the future of Japan's space industry.

Why Hokkaido Spaceport is Needed

The space business market is expanding globally every year, with a particularly significant increase in demand for small satellite launches. Rockets are the only means of transporting these satellites. While the number of launches worldwide is rapidly increasing, led by the United States and China, Japan's rocket launches are limited to a few per year. As a result, much of the domestic demand for satellite launches is currently flowing overseas.

Furthermore, due to the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war, Japan can no longer use Russian rockets, which accounted for about 10% of global space transportation. This has created a demand for strengthening domestic space transportation capabilities.

In response, in addition to government-developed core rockets like the H3 and Epsilon, a movement to utilize private-sector rockets has begun. As part of this trend, there is a growing need for domestic rocket launch sites that private companies can use.

Against the backdrop of a growing number of private rocket companies worldwide, Hokkaido Spaceport opened in 2021. While there are currently six spaceports in Japan, Taiki Town is the only one with a vertical launch site open to any private entity. In addition, it is the only hybrid spaceport in the country, capable of both takeoffs and landings using a runway. Its vast grounds are another major advantage, allowing for the construction of new launch sites to meet future needs.

Why Was Taiki Town Chosen as the Location?

So, why was Taiki Town in Hokkaido chosen as the location for the spaceport? Mr. Odagiri explained three reasons.

First, "the sea is open to the east and south, which are the directions for rocket launches." Second, "unlike other coastal areas in Japan, Taiki Town's coastline does not have highways or railway lines, so there is no need to close roads during rocket launches." Third, "there is relatively less interference with ship and aircraft routes compared to Honshu, and the area has many clear days throughout the year, making it suitable for rocket launches."

Due to geographical and other reasons, some countries cannot have their own launch sites. Therefore, the spaceport in Taiki Town has the potential to become an "Asian hub spaceport."

The global space industry market was valued at 40 trillion yen in 2020 and is projected to grow to over 110 trillion yen by 2040. This growth is driven not only by the United States and Europe but also by the rapid expansion of the space business in countries like China and India. Traditionally, space was developed under government leadership, but now, industrialization and commercialization through private sector participation are becoming more active.

However, according to Mr. Odagiri, Japan's space industry is lagging behind other countries in terms of commercialization. That is why, he says, it is necessary to boost the business as quickly as possible.

Not Just Space Travel and Rocket Manufacturing! The Space Industry is Closer Than You Think

When people hear "space industry," they often think of rocket manufacturing and space travel. In reality, however, launching satellites, services that utilize them, and the construction of ground facilities make up the majority of the industry. From communications and GPS positioning to weather forecasting, the space industry is closely related to our daily lives.

In the not-so-distant future, rockets may be used as a means of transportation on Earth. If "Point-to-Point (P2P) high-speed transport," which involves traveling across the globe via space using rockets, becomes a reality, a 13-hour flight from Japan to the United States could be shortened to just 40 minutes. While cost is still an issue, it is expected that fares will improve as demand increases.

This P2P transport is nearing practical application in the United States, and when it does, a receiving destination in Japan will be necessary. Mr. Odagiri's vision is to have Taiki Town receive these rockets and also provide comprehensive last-mile transportation.

Image courtesy of Interstellar Technologies Inc.