Japan’s first private space plane

Space Walker, a startup certified by Tokyo University of Science, plans to develop Japan’s first private space plane called Eco Rocket, Interesting Engineering reported on January 9.

Previously, Japan had a space plane project but it was canceled. The project took place in the 1980s, Japan’s National Space Development Agency (NASDA) and Japan’s National Aerospace Laboratory (NAL), which developed the Hope-X experimental spaceplane . NASDA and NAL are now both part of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

Hope-X is designed to shuttle astronauts to and from the International Space Station (ISS). This will be one of Japan’s main contributions to the station. Hope-X conducted successful test flights with miniature models, but the project was ultimately canceled in 2003.

So, if all goes according to plan, the Eco Rocket could become Japan’s first operational spaceplane. Space Walker has patented the technology behind the world’s first lightweight composite cryogenic fuel tank. The company also emphasizes the value of reuse, which was demonstrated with SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. However, Space Walker will strive to increase sustainability as Eco Rocket plans to use carbon-neutral liquefied methane biofuel.

Space Walker is the first private rocket company to receive private investment from JAXA. At the CES 2025 exhibition taking place in Las Vegas, USA, January 7 – 10, the company presented an impressive development roadmap for the next two decades.

Space Walker aims to conduct its first test flight, named WIRES, as soon as 2026. In 2028, the company will launch a suborbital scientific launch called FuJin. Suborbital space trips are expected to take place in 2030. By the 2040s, Space Walker wants to realize space trips beyond orbit.

Eco Rocket was developed for suborbital tourism and scientific research. In addition to passenger flights, this space plane can be used for microgravity experiments, satellite launches, and travel from one point to another in space.