ALE to Speak at Space Business Conference 'SPACETIDE 2026' – Discussing Co-Creation Possibilities Between Space and Non-Space Industries with Five 'Starlight Challenge' Partner Companies

ALE Co., Ltd. (Eir, headquarters: Minato City, Tokyo; CEO: Riena Okajima; hereinafter 'ALE'), a startup aiming to achieve the world's first artificial shooting stars, held a panel session titled 'Why Space? Non-Space Companies Discuss Business Collaboration with Artificial Meteors' on July 7, 2026, at the space business conference 'SPACETIDE 2026,' held from July 6 (Mon) to 9 (Thu), 2026.

*Based on ALE's own research (survey period: February 2026; regarding efforts by domestic and international companies toward realizing artificial shooting stars)

On the day, CEO Riena Okajima presented the latest development status and future outlook of ALE's artificial shooting star project, 'Starlight Challenge.' She also discussed with five corporate partners participating in the project the possibilities of co-creation between the space industry and non-space companies, as well as the future expansion of space business.

From left: Hirotake Yoku (Takara Standard Co., Ltd.), Sotoi Yoshioka (au Energy & Life Co., Ltd.), Riena Okajima (ALE Co., Ltd.), Ryutaro Shimizu (Trusco Nakayama Corporation), Atsushi Hashimoto (Eguchi Iwase Shoten Co., Ltd.) (Kazuhiko Takeuchi of PR TIMES Co., Ltd. participated remotely)

Announcing the Latest Progress of 'Starlight Challenge' Toward the World's First Artificial Shooting Stars

'Starlight Challenge' is a project that creates artificial shooting stars by releasing particles (meteor sources) from a deployment mechanism aboard a satellite into space and causing them to re-enter the atmosphere.

During the session, ALE explained the mechanism of artificial shooting stars and the current development status. It also introduced that 'Starlight Challenge' aims not only at technological demonstration but also at creating new space businesses through collaboration with entertainment, tourism, and corporate partners.

ALE also announced that five companies—au Energy & Life, Takara Standard, Trusco Nakayama, Eguchi Iwase Shoten, and PR TIMES—are currently participating as corporate partners, demonstrating how collaboration with companies outside the space sector is expanding the possibilities of space business.

Third Attempt: First Public Reveal of the 'Deployment Mechanism Prototype,' Core to Artificial Shooting Stars

At this session, ALE publicly unveiled for the first time the prototype of the 'deployment mechanism,' a core technology for realizing artificial shooting stars. The deployment mechanism is a device designed to accurately release individual meteor source particles in orbit, playing a crucial role in achieving artificial shooting stars.

ALE has previously attempted missions with two satellites, ALE-1 and ALE-2, successfully achieving satellite development, launch, and basic on-orbit operation verification. However, it recalled facing challenges in the final stage—releasing the meteor sources—due to the unique environment of space.

For this third satellite, ALE announced significant improvements to the loading mechanism based on insights gained from past missions, redesigning it for more stable operation in the space environment.

From the Challenge of Artificial Shooting Stars to Expansion into VLEO (Very Low Earth Orbit)

Furthermore, ALE addressed its expansion into the VLEO (Very Low Earth Orbit) domain, explaining that as global use of low Earth orbit satellites expands, satellites must operate at lower altitudes to avoid impacting other artificial satellites while realizing artificial shooting stars.

ALE stated that it views this constraint not as a challenge but as a new business opportunity, and announced its intention to advance technological development and business expansion in the VLEO domain, centered on its 'Sky Canvas' artificial shooting star project.

Discussing Co-Creation Possibilities Between Space and Non-Space Industries with Five 'Starlight Challenge' Partner Companies

During the panel session, themed 'Why Space? Non-Space Companies Discuss Business Collaboration with Artificial Meteors,' five corporate partners participating in the 'Starlight Challenge' took the stage. Each company shared insights on their motivations for entering the space industry, decision-making processes, synergies with existing businesses, and expectations and challenges regarding the space sector.

Panelists: Sotoi Yoshioka (au Energy & Life), Hirotake Yoku (Takara Standard), Ryutaro Shimizu (Trusco Nakayama), Atsushi Hashimoto (Eguchi Iwase Shoten)

Kazuhiko Takeuchi (PR TIMES) participated remotely

Additionally, Nobuyoshi Onoda, Minister for Special Affairs (Space Policy) of the Cabinet Office, visited ALE's exhibition booth. CEO Okajima introduced ALE's 'Starlight Challenge' demonstration project, the SkyCanvas business, and VLEO initiatives, and exchanged opinions on the future commercialization of artificial shooting stars.

Minister Nobuyoshi Onoda visiting ALE's exhibition booth

Going forward, ALE will continue to steadily advance the demonstration of artificial shooting stars together with its corporate partners and work to create new possibilities within the space industry.

[Panel Session Overview]

Name: SPACETIDE 2026

Date and Time: July 7, 2026 (Tue) 13:20–14:10

Venue: Toranomon Hills Forum (within the main venue of 'SPACETIDE 2026')

Session: 'Why Space? Non-Space Companies Discuss Business Collaboration with Artificial Meteors'

Speakers:

・Riena Okajima, Representative Director, ALE Co., Ltd.

・Sotoi Yoshioka, Executive Vice President, au Energy & Life Co., Ltd.

・Hirotake Yoku, Chief Manager, New Business Strategy Division, Business Development Headquarters, Takara Standard Co., Ltd.

・Ryutaro Shimizu, Department Head, Orange Book Division & Room Head, Product DB Platform Development Room, Trusco Nakayama Corporation

・Atsushi Hashimoto, Executive Officer, Sales General Manager, and Operating Officer, Commercial Operations, Shooting Star Project, Eguchi Iwase Shoten Co., Ltd.

・Kazuhiko Takeuchi, Executive Officer, PR TIMES Co., Ltd. (remote participation)

Session Program: Opening and Latest Satellite Information Presentation (13:20–13:30)

Honest Talk: 'How Did You Get Your Proposal Approved?' (13:30–13:50)

Requests to the Space Industry (13:50–14:05)

Closing (14:05–14:10)