Mitsui & Co. is a global trading and investment company with a diversified portfolio, including a growing presence in the space industry. They act as an investor and facilitator, supporting space-related ventures through strategic investments like Spaceflight Inc. (rideshare launch services) and ATLAS Space Operations (ground station services). Furthermore, Mitsui has established Japan LEO Shachu, Inc., a subsidiary focused on developing the "Japan Module" for commercial space stations, partnering with JAXA and other companies. Keywords associated with Mitsui's space activities include space investment, satellite services, launch services, space infrastructure, and commercial space development.
All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines is using Starlink’s LEO solution onboard its fleet of car carriers to provide an additional layer of high-speed connectivity.
Mitsui and Co. acquired Spaceflight Inc. in 2020 with Yamasa Co.
Curt Blake will consult for the space group at Mitsui and Co. after supporting the transition.
ATLAS Space Operations raised $26,000,000 in Series B funding led by Mitsui & Co.
ATLAS Space Operations received $26,000,000 in Series B funding led by Mitsui & Co., Ltd.
Mitsui & Co., Ltd. acquired a minority stake in BlackSky Global in 2018.
Mitsui & Co., Ltd. will support ATLAS Space Operations’ growth in collaboration with Mitsui’s space business portfolio and by utilizing Mitsui’s industrial network.
Mitsui & Co., Ltd. acquired Spaceflight, Inc., a U.S. satellite rideshare service provider, in 2020.
Investors in the funding round include Mitsui & Co., Ltd., SBI Investment Co., Ltd., Tokyu Land Corporation, Kyushu Electric Power T&D, and Seika Corporation.
Spaceflight is based in Seattle, has successfully launched hundreds of satellites, and operates as part of the Mitsui & Co., Ltd. portfolio.
Mitsui Fudosan supported Axelspace’s office relocation and expansion in 2015.
Mitsui Fudosan participated as a lead investor in Axelspace’s Series B financing completed in 2018.
The Space Frontier Fund managed by Sparx Innovation for Future Co. provided funding to Axelspace’s Series C round alongside venture capital firms and investment funds managed by Global Brain Corp., Japan Post Investment Corp., Kyocera Corp., Mitsubishi UFJ Capital Co. Ltd., Mitsui Fudosan Co. Ltd., and Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Investment Co. Ltd.
Spaceflight Industries completed the sale of its satellite rideshare business, Spaceflight Inc., to Mitsui & Co. and Yamasa Co. on 2020-06-12.
Mitsui loaned Spaceflight Industries $26,000,000 in October.
The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States completed a national security review of the Mitsui acquisition on 2020-04-22.
Mitsui & Co. loaned Spaceflight Industries $26,000,000 on 2020-10-31.
Once Mitsui completes its purchase of Spaceflight Industries’ launch business, Spaceflight will use the sale proceeds to repay the $26,000,000 loan and use any additional proceeds to pay down an undisclosed amount of overdue payments to LeoStella.
In February Mitsui announced it was buying Spaceflight Industries’ launch rideshare business with Yamasa Co., Ltd., which will own the business in a 50/50 joint venture with Mitsui.
Spaceflight's Japanese owners Mitsui and Yamasa should help Spaceflight win additional business in Japan and elsewhere in Asia and provide closer ties with Japanese launch providers.