Following Virgin Orbit's bankruptcy filing, Japan's ambitious plans to build a domestic space industry have been put on hold, as reported by Reuters.
(Photo: by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
Virgin Orbit signage is displayed outside the company's headquarters in Long Beach, California, on April 4, 2023. - Virgin Orbit, the satellite launch company founded by Richard Branson, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and will sell the business, the firm said in a statement Tuesday.
Japan has plans for a spaceport in Kyushu to attract tourism. However, due to the lack of funding, the plans are now put on hold. The Oita prefecture is home to Japan's largest number of hot springs and has partnered with Virgin Orbit in 2020 to build the first Asian spaceport at Oita Airport using a Boeing 747 to accommodate horizontal rocket launches.
The initial goal was to launch small satellites from Oita as early as last year, but it never happened. It was another setback for Japan in its attempts to become a player in commercial satellite launches following two rocket launch failures.
ANA Holdings' All Nippon Airways Trading Co. and IQPS Inc emerged as two of the top six creditors when Virgin Orbit filed for bankruptcy. ANA owed $1.65 million and was a key partner for the Oita spaceport. It entered a provisional deal with Virgin Orbit in 2021 for 20 flights of its LauncherOne rocket.
On the other hand, iQPS paid a $5.2 million deposit to launch its small constellation satellites.
There Is Still Hope
Oita prefecture estimated the airport would produce economic benefits worth around 10.2 billion yen in the region over the five years from the initial launch. It expects 240,000 tourists rising the site.
Locals remain hopeful that a spaceport will emerge. Also, Oita prefecture is adamant about pushing through with efforts to attract a spaceport.
Japan's Space Plans
Japan has a long history in space exploration and has been actively pursuing its space ambitions for decades. The country has made significant contributions to the international space community, including the development of the Kibo laboratory on the International Space Station (ISS) and the launch of a number of satellites for both commercial and scientific purposes.
In recent years, Japan has been looking to expand its space capabilities even further. The country's space agency, JAXA, has set ambitious goals for the coming years, including the launch of a lunar lander and rover as part of the Artemis program and the development of a new space station in orbit around the moon.
Japan is also looking to increase its international collaborations in space. The country has established partnerships with a number of other spacefaring nations, including the United States, Europe, and Russia.
In addition, Japan has been working to strengthen its space relationships with countries in the Asia-Pacific region, such as Australia, India, and Vietnam.
However, the recent bankruptcy of Virgin Orbit, a key partner in Japan's space plans, has cast a shadow over the country's ambitions. Virgin Orbit had been working with JAXA to develop a small satellite launch system, and the bankruptcy has put this collaboration in doubt.
Nevertheless, Japan is expected to continue pushing forward with its space aspirations, seeking new partnerships and pursuing innovative technologies to advance its space capabilities.
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