(Joint release)
International Day of Human Space Flight
12 April 2023
SPACE WALKER Inc.
JALUX Inc.
SPACE WALKER Inc. (Location: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Akihide Manabe; hereinafter “SPACE WALKER”) and JALUX Inc. (Location: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director & CEO: Satoru Takahama; hereinafter “JALUX”) hereby announce that the two companies entered into a capital and business alliance agreement (hereinafter “the Alliance”) on March 31st, 2023, in order to establish a business partnership in the space industry and other fields, with the aim of realizing a space transportation system.
SPACE WALKER Inc. is an aerospace startup affiliated with the Tokyo University of Science. A wide range of research is conducted to develop winged reusable rockets, with a vision of sustainable space transportation for all, similar to air travel today. SPACE WALKER also develops, manufactures and sells next-generation composite vessels, utilizing lightweight technology used in space development to promote decarbonization on Earth.
JALUX is a trading company of the JAL Group, and has strengths in the aviation and airport-related businesses, including the aircraft parts domain and overseas airport operations, as well as business creation and product sales in a wide range of domains including airport shops and EC site operations. The Alliance is an opportunity for JALUX to actively participate in the space industry in earnest.
The two companies will hold discussions on a wide range of operations with the aim of creating new businesses and expanding horizons, by utilizing each other’s strengths where mutual cooperation is possible. Discussions will include space transportation systems and the component business including composite vessels, to transform society.
Comment from Akihide Manabe, CEO, SPACE WALKER
We are very pleased to announce a capital and business alliance agreement with JALUX, a JAL group company. Our winged reusable launch vehicle not only contributes to nextgeneration space transportation, but also pursues sustainability on earth and in space, as a highly economical and environmentally low-impact mobility. Through the Alliance, we will combine the technologies and expertise of both companies to create advanced space businesses and new social values to promote decarbonization on Earth. We will continue to take on challenges and promote space development that will give dreams and hope to people around the world.
Comment from Satoru Takahama, Representative Director & CEO, JALUX
JALUX will leverage the expertise and knowledge it has accumulated in the aviation and airport-related industries to enter the space industry through this capital and business alliance. In the future, JALUX will collaborate with SPACE WALKER not only in the space industry but also in the components market, including composite vessels developed by SPACE WALKER, to develop a wide range of business domains, from earth to space. Through this Alliance, the two companies will combine their strengths to contribute to the development of Japan’s space industry and the realization of a sustainable future.
SPACE WALKER Inc.
SPACE WALKER is a Tokyo University of Science startup developing winged reusable suborbital spaceplanes through an open innovation system involving industry, government and academia, along with JAXA and major heavy industry manufacturers.
Company name: SPACE WALKER Inc.
Head office: 3F, 3-16-12 Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Representative: CEO Akihide Manabe
Business: Design and development of winged reusable rockets (spaceplanes). Design, manufacturing and sales of related components and peripheral parts. Planning and proposal of space related events and other related businesses.
URL: https://space-walker.co.jp/en
JALUX Inc.
JALUX is a trading company of the JAL Group, with strengths in aviation and airport-related business, including the aircraft parts business and overseas airport operations.
JALUX operates the BLUE SKY airport shops at 24 airports nationwide and JAL Shopping, JAL’s official mail-order website.
Company name: JALUX Inc.
Head office: Shinagawa Season Terrace, 1-2-70 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Representative: Representative Director & CEO Satoru Takahama
Business: Aviation and airport-related business, life service business, retail business, food and beverage business
URL ：https://www.jalux.com/en/profile/
Further media enquiries:
JALUX Inc.
Corporate Planning Department, Corporate Communications & Sustainability Team
TEL: 03-6367-8822 / Email:kkr@jalux.com
SPACE WALKER Inc.
Corporate Planning Office, Public Relations
TEL: 03-6435-7359 / Email:pr@space-walker.co.jp