SSC Space, a global provider of advanced space services, and ElevationSpace Inc., a Japanese space company developing in-orbit demonstration and Earth-return 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.
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 SSC Space capabilities in sounding rockets, payload development, launch and ground station services, with ElevationSpace’s development of in-orbit demonstration, re-entry, and recovery mission capabilities. Opportunities include the utilization of Esrange Space Center in Sweden, owned and operated by SSC Space, as well as business development.
“SSC 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,” says Charlotta Sund, President and CEO, SSC Space.
“This 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,” says Mac Kanazawa, Country Manager Japan, SSC Space.
“We are 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 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 ‘creating a world where everyone can live in space’,” says Ryohei Kobayashi, Co-founder and CEO, ElevationSpace.
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Media contact: Philip Ohlsson, Press & PR, +46 70 721 70 26, philip.ohlsson@sscspace.com
