Mitsubishi Electric Selected for Government Funding for Orbital Transfer Vehicle Development

Project Overview Mitsubishi Electric Corporation has officially received funding for its project, 'Development of an Orbital Transfer Vehicle (OTV),' under the second phase of the Space Strategy Fund managed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The project falls under the technical theme of 'Technologies for Realizing Freedom of Movement in Space.'

Background With the expansion of space development, the market for 'in-orbit services'—including satellite assembly, manufacturing, refueling, inspection, and repair—is projected to grow significantly. Establishing efficient logistics is crucial to the next phase of space utilization.

Mitsubishi Electric's Expertise Mitsubishi Electric has a long track record in developing spacecraft for diverse orbits, including the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) 'Kounotori,' the新型 HTV-X, the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), and the Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission.

Project Goals The company will leverage its experience in navigation and control to develop an Orbital Transfer Vehicle (OTV) capable of flexible transit between orbits. - Orbital Trajectory Planning: Optimizing paths to minimize fuel consumption. - Autonomous RPOD Technology: Utilizing physical AI and robotics to enable secure and efficient cargo loading and separation.

Future Outlook The implementation period is scheduled from April 2026 to March 2028. By completing this project, the company aims to enable efficient, private-sector space transportation services, contributing to the development of orbital infrastructure.