Mitsubishi Electric announced that it has been awarded a subsidy under the Technology for Realizing Flexible Mobility in Space program, which is financed through the second phase of the Space Strategy Fund managed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The company had previously been selected as the representative organization for the initiative and will lead development efforts under the project.
The funding supports the development of orbital transfer vehicles (OTVs), which are expected to play an important role as the commercial space economy expands. The growth of on-orbit services, including assembly, manufacturing, refueling, inspection, repair, and parts replacement, is expected to increase demand for efficient transportation and logistics capabilities in space.
Mitsubishi Electric plans to leverage technologies developed through previous spacecraft programs, including the H-II Transfer Vehicle KOUNOTORI, the next-generation HTV-X cargo vehicle, the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon, the Martian Moons Exploration spacecraft, and various geostationary satellites. Using navigation, guidance, and control technologies refined through these missions, the company aims to develop an orbital transfer vehicle capable of moving freely between orbits to transport satellites and other payloads.
The company said the project is intended to help support the broader utilization of outer space by providing the mobility infrastructure needed for future on-orbit activities and services.
