Selected for JAXA's Space Strategy Fund

NTT Data Xam Technologies (the "Company"), led by Shimane University as the representative organization, together with Hokkaido University and Aisan Industry Co., Ltd., has been selected for the Space Strategy Fund (Phase 2) of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

In this project, the team aims to commercialize a fully domestic thruster engine (a device that propels and controls aircraft/spacecraft) that improves fuel efficiency (specific impulse) by 5%. The project will focus on the alloy design of high-melting-point tantalum (Ta), the process of additive manufacturing (a manufacturing technology using 3D printers) including heat treatment conditions, and the development of proprietary ultra-high-temperature oxidation-resistant coating technology.

Through this initiative, the goal is to enhance the performance, reduce costs, and extend the lifespan of domestic thruster engines, thereby breaking away from foreign dependency and contributing to the strengthening of international competitiveness in the field of space development. In the future, this technology is expected to be applied to spacecraft, probes, and satellites targeting the Moon and Mars.

[Project Overview] Thruster engine systems require combustion chambers made of heat-resistant alloys that can withstand high-temperature environments. Conventional manufacturing methods for combustion chambers using niobium (Nb) alloys face challenges such as prolonged procurement lead times due to foreign dependency and increased costs. Furthermore, as engine thrust increases, combustion chambers are required to be more resistant to higher temperature environments.

To solve these issues, this project will undertake the alloy design of tantalum—a high-melting-point metal—as well as the development of additive manufacturing processes and heat treatment conditions, and the development of proprietary ultra-high-temperature oxidation-resistant coating technology. The practical application of this technology will enable the realization of high-performance, low-cost, long-life domestic thruster engines, aiming to strengthen international competitiveness in the space development sector and break free from reliance on foreign sources.

This project is supported by the Space Strategy Fund, with Shimane University acting as the representative organization. NTT Data Xam Technologies is participating as a collaborative institution and is responsible for tantalum alloy design and the development of additive manufacturing processes including heat treatment conditions.

Additive manufacturing technology has significant advantages in terms of cost reduction, performance improvement, shortening of procurement lead times, and reduction of environmental impact. Compared to conventional methods of cutting materials from ingots (blocks of material solidified in a mold), additive manufacturing forms shapes by melting and solidifying metal powder in layers, which offers superior material utilization efficiency, suppresses resource consumption, and contributes to reducing environmental impact.

Business Name: Space Strategy Fund Business Technical Development Theme: SX Core Area Development Research Technical Development Task Name: Development of Ta alloy additive manufacturing and oxidation-resistant coating contributing to high specific impulse and long-life propulsion technology Representative Organization: Shimane University Collaborative Organizations: NTT Data Xam Technologies, Hokkaido University, Aisan Industry Co., Ltd. Development Period: Scheduled from May 2026 to November 2028

[Technology Details] While the melting point of established niobium alloys is approximately 2350°C, tantalum alloys are materials with extremely high melting points reaching near 3000°C. To date, niobium alloy combustion chambers have achieved 10 hours of durability at a base surface combustion temperature of 1400°C. In this project, the goal is to achieve 50 hours of durability at 1600°C, aiming to improve specific impulse by 5%. By raising the practical operating temperature of the combustion chamber to 1600°C, the project aims to establish fundamental domestic technology for combustion chambers that achieves a specific impulse of 325s or more and a thrust of 500N or more while ensuring longevity.

If this goal is achieved, it will be possible to realize heat resistance comparable to combustion chambers made of platinum-rhodium (Pt-Rh) alloys and iridium-rhenium (Ir-Re) alloys currently used by major Western aerospace companies, while maintaining a significant cost advantage through tantalum alloys. Meanwhile, conventional tantalum alloys were designed without sufficiently considering the specific challenges associated with additive manufacturing. Therefore, the Company will design proprietary tantalum alloys in this project that overcome these specific challenges and maximize the benefits of additive manufacturing, while simultaneously developing optimal additive manufacturing processes and heat treatment conditions.

[Future Outlook] The Company has been cultivating material and process development technologies in the field of metal additive manufacturing. In this project, these insights will be deployed for next-generation thruster engine applications to promote research, development, and demonstration. Moving forward, the Company will further strengthen collaboration with relevant institutions and partner companies, aiming to contribute to the strengthening of Japan's space industry foundation and the improvement of international competitiveness with an eye toward future social implementation.