Interstellar Technologies (IST) is a Japanese private spaceflight company established in 2013, aiming to reduce the cost of space access. They develop, manufacture, and launch rockets, including the MOMO sounding rocket and the ZERO orbital launch vehicle, targeting the small satellite market. IST is pursuing a vertically integrated business model combining rocket launches with satellite communications, and has partnered with companies like Toyota to leverage expertise in mass production for scalable and cost-effective rocket development.
All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.
Woven by Toyota committed ¥7 billion to Interstellar Technologies’ Series F in January 2025.
In 2024 the Japanese government granted a ¥4.63 billion SBIR award to launch startup Interstellar Technologies.
Interstellar Technologies secured just over $34.2 million in debt financing, including loan facilities with stock acquisition rights provided by the Japan Finance Corporation.
Interstellar Technologies closed a Series F funding round totaling just under $130 million through a third-party allotment of new shares with investments from SBI Group, Nomura Real Estate Development, B Dash Venture, SMBC Edge, and existing shareholders.
Woven by Toyota led an investment that raised $95.5 million through a third-party allotment of preferred shares in Interstellar Technologies’ Series F round.
Interstellar Technologies will use the funds raised in the Series F round primarily for development of the first ZERO orbital launch vehicle, strengthening its manufacturing system toward commercialization, and research and development of satellites.
Satoshi Nakayama will serve as a co-Representative Director alongside Interstellar Technologies’ Representative Director CEO Takahiro Inagawa.
Satoshi Nakayama joined Interstellar Technologies in January 2021, served in avionics development, reliability design, and quality assurance, became General Manager of the development department in September 2021, and became Director VP of Launch Vehicle in May 2024.
Interstellar Technologies' small satellite launch vehicle ZERO first flight vehicle is in its final stages of development.
Interstellar Technologies will allocate the ¥20.1 billion financing to development of the ZERO first flight vehicle, strengthening manufacturing for commercialization, and research and development of satellites.
Interstellar Technologies will accelerate parallel efforts toward commercializing the ZERO vehicle and strengthening its manufacturing capabilities for commercialization.
Interstellar Technologies reorganized its management to clarify responsibilities between the rocket business and the communications satellite business and to enable faster decision-making.
On January 29, 2026, Interstellar Technologies resolved that Satoshi Nakayama, then Vice President of Launch Vehicle, will become Representative Director President effective February 1, 2026.
Interstellar Technologies is transitioning its management structure to clarify responsibilities between its rocket business and communications satellite business to enable faster decision-making.
On January 28, Interstellar Technologies appointed Satoshi Nakayama, then Vice President of Launch Vehicle, to become Representative Director President effective February 1.
Satoshi Nakayama worked for 12 years at Mitsubishi Precision on rocket and satellite payload development before joining Interstellar Technologies in January 2021.
On January 16, Interstellar Technologies completed a large financing of ¥20.1 billion (201億円).
Satoshi Nakayama has led Interstellar Technologies' rocket development since 2021.
LC1 is scheduled for completion in September 2026 and is planned to host rocket launches by Interstellar Technologies and other operators.
SBI Group participated as an investor in Interstellar Technologies' Series F funding round.