From the Northern Land to Space: The Latest Developments at Hokkaido Spaceport (HOSPO)
Hokkaido Spaceport (HOSPO), located in Taiki, Hokkaido, is steadily advancing its status as the northernmost spaceport in Japan with the goal of enabling regular commercial rocket launches. This article summarizes the latest topics surrounding HOSPO, based on three news releases published as of June 2025.
1. The Origins and Strengths of HOSPO
HOSPO began full-scale operations in April 2021. It is centered in Taiki Town, which has been attracting the aerospace industry for 40 years, and is valued for its geographical advantage of having vast, unobstructed sea views to the east and south, as well as the ability to secure large tracts of land. With benefits such as being accessible from Tokyo in about two and a half hours and having a relatively mild climate even in winter, it is attracting attention from industry insiders as being "highly convenient among commercial spaceports worldwide."
2. First Overseas Rocket to Land in Japan: jtSPACE "VP01" Launch Confirmed
In a press release dated June 26, 2025, it was announced that the two-stage hybrid rocket "VP01," developed by the Japanese subsidiary of Taiwan's tiSPACE, jtSPACE, will be launched on July 6.
Target Altitude: 100 km (exceeding the Kármán line)
Launch Site: Launch Complex 1 – Launch Pad 12 (LC1-LP12)
Reserve Dates: July 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27
There are two key points. First, this marks the first time a rocket launch by foreign capital will be realized in Japan. It can be said that this is the moment when HOSPO's philosophy of being a "spaceport open to the private sector" truly takes shape. Second, even though it is a sounding rocket (suborbital), it is intended to eventually lead to the development of orbital launch vehicles. An environment is being established in Japan where companies can take the typical steps of advancing technology maturity from Tier 1 (sounding) to Tier 2 (small orbital).
3. MOU with Reusable Rocket Company ISC
On June 16, it was announced that SPACE COTAN (the HOSPO operating company) and Innovative Space Carrier Inc. (ISC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding a launch site operation plan to launch the reusable rocket "ASCA 1.2" test vehicle from HOSPO.
ISC is a startup aiming to realize a manned round-trip system by 2040 and is currently developing technology to recover the first stage after launching 100kg-class small satellites. Reusable types are superior in terms of both cost and launch frequency, which aligns with HOSPO's vision of being a "high-frequency rocket port." Detailed safety reviews and facility requirements are expected to be finalized moving forward.
4. Strengthening Cooperation with Local Startup IST
Furthermore, on June 12, Taiki Town announced that it had signed a basic agreement with local rocket company Interstellar Technologies (IST) for IST to have priority use of the satellite launch site, Launch Complex 1 (LC1).
IST is developing the small satellite launch vehicle "ZERO," and this agreement will establish a system that allows them to transition to launch preparations immediately after the completion of LC1. By combining their track record of three successful space reaches with the sounding rocket "MOMO" and long-term support from Taiki Town, a fully vertically integrated model of "local origin, local launch" is becoming a reality.
5. Business Impact Demonstrated by HOSPO
Platformization Gathering Diverse Players
Overseas companies (jtSPACE), reusable rocket startups (ISC), and local leading companies (IST) will share the launch site during the same period. This will accelerate the recovery of infrastructure investment and is expected to attract related industries.
Accelerating the "Space Silicon Valley" Concept
Taiki Town and SPACE COTAN are leveraging the national Space Strategy Fund and international MOU networks to advance the international standardization and interoperability of the launch site. The day may not be far off when the name HOSPO changes from "Hokkaido" to "Japan."
Attention as a Model for Regional Revitalization
Through hometown tax donations and the participation of local companies, it demonstrates that a space industry cluster can be established even in a town with a population of 5,000.
Summary
In the summer of 2025, HOSPO is simultaneously handling three major topics—"the first overseas launch," "preparations for reusable rockets," and "orbital rocket launch plans by local companies"—finally achieving a multi-layered structure befitting a "spaceport." As an entry point for space business, the hottest place in Japan continues to evolve through a trinity of technology, business, and regional revitalization.
The next things to watch are the "accumulation of launch track records" and the "completion timing of LC1." Once these are in place, secondary businesses such as satellite services and the tourism industry originating from HOSPO will accelerate rapidly. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide you with the latest information.
List of Reference Articles
〇 Suborbital rocket from jtSPACE, the Japanese subsidiary of a Taiwanese company, to be launched from Hokkaido Spaceport on July 6 (2025/06/26)
〇 SPACE COTAN and Innovative Space Carrier Inc. sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) (2025/06/16)
〇 Taiki Town, Hokkaido, which is promoting the development of a launch site for satellite rockets, signs a basic agreement with Interstellar Technologies Inc. (2025/06/12)
〇 Nikkei: "Japan's northernmost spaceport, HOSPO, begins full-scale attraction of overseas companies" (2025/06/24)