Interstellar Technologies
Corporate brand
UnclaimedJapanese private spaceflight company developing low-cost sounding rockets and orbital launch vehicles for small satellites.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Interstellar Technologies, commonly known as IST, is a privately held Japanese aerospace and space-launch company based in Taiki, Hokkaido. Its stated business objective is to lower the cost of access to space by developing comparatively small, commercially oriented launch vehicles and by building launch infrastructure outside Japan’s traditional government-led space programs. The company’s work has centered on the MOMO sounding rocket and on the larger ZERO and DECA orbital-launch concepts. The organization traces its roots to a Japanese hobbyist rocket group formed in 1997. A predecessor company was established in 2003 with the involvement of entrepreneur Takafumi Horie, and the organization adopted the Interstellar Technologies name in 2005. Some company and secondary references use 2013 as the company’s founding year, reflecting a later corporate reorganization or the establishment of the present operating entity. This dossier therefore records 2013 as the supplied founding year while recognizing the earlier organizational history. IST’s first major development program was MOMO, a liquid-propellant sounding rocket intended to carry small research and technology payloads to the edge of space. MOMO uses liquid oxygen and ethanol, a pressure-fed propulsion architecture, thrust-vector control, and cold-gas systems for roll control. The vehicle is designed for a roughly 100-kilometre-class flight and a payload of approximately 20 kilograms to the Karman-line boundary. Its development has provided the company with experience in propulsion, avionics, guidance, launch operations, ground systems, and customer payload integration. The first MOMO flight, conducted in July 2017, failed, but it represented an important milestone as an attempt to send a privately developed Japanese rocket into space. A later launch in May 2019 successfully carried a 20-kilogram payload on a suborbital trajectory to the edge of space. Subsequent test difficulties, including problems associated with the engine nozzle and ignition system, led IST to redesign the vehicle and to distinguish the earlier configuration as MOMO v0 and the upgraded configuration as MOMO v1. The upgrade covered the engine system, airframe equipment, avionics, and ground support equipment, with changes to the nozzle, igniter, mass, length, propellant load, and thrust. Beyond suborbital testing, IST is developing ZERO, an orbital launch vehicle aimed at deploying small satellites. The publicly described concept is designed to place approximately 250 kilograms into a 500-kilometre sun-synchronous orbit and is associated with liquid biomethane propulsion. The company has also announced DECA, a larger launch-vehicle concept intended to support small-satellite constellations, larger satellite missions, and potential cargo transportation to the International Space Station. DECA is linked to the satellite-development activities of Our Stars, an IST wholly owned subsidiary. Launch infrastructure is an important part of IST’s strategy. Its facilities are located beside the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Taiki Aerospace Research Field within the Taiki Multi-Purpose Aerospace Park. Launch Complex 0 supports MOMO launches and static engine tests, while Launch Complexes 1 and 2 have been planned for ZERO assembly, testing, and higher-frequency operations. In 2021, the broader site-expansion concept was presented as Hokkaido Spaceport, including possible runway extensions and additional aerospace facilities. The company has pursued partnerships, crowdfunding, and private investment to finance its development. It formed a business alliance with Nippon Travel Agency and Space Development Corp. in 2018 and received an investment from Kushiro Manufacturing later that year. In January 2025, Woven by Toyota announced a $44 million investment in IST, providing a significant strategic-financing event for the company’s continued launch-vehicle development. IST remains an unlisted Japanese space company whose principal challenge is to convert experimental launch capability into reliable, repeatable, and economically viable orbital services.
History
Interstellar Technologies developed from a Japanese amateur rocket initiative established in 1997. A predecessor company was formed in 2003 with entrepreneur Takafumi Horie associated with its creation and was intended to pursue rockets capable of launching small satellites. The organization adopted the Interstellar Technologies name in 2005. Some accounts identify 2013 as the founding year of the current company, which explains the different dates found in public descriptions. The company’s early strategy emphasized relatively small, lower-cost rockets rather than competing immediately with large national launch systems. Its first major vehicle, MOMO, was designed as a liquid-propellant sounding rocket capable of carrying research and technology payloads to approximately 100 kilometres. The program was also intended to build practical expertise in propulsion, vehicle control, telemetry, launch operations, and customer payload handling. MOMO’s first launch on 30 July 2017 failed. Nevertheless, the attempt was notable because it was described as the first effort by a Japanese private company to launch a privately developed rocket into space. On 3 May 2019, a subsequent test successfully carried a 20-kilogram payload on a suborbital trajectory to the edge of space. The flight-test program later encountered technical problems involving the engine nozzle and ignition system. In response, IST conducted a comprehensive redesign. The company subsequently referred to the earlier configuration as MOMO v0 and the upgraded configuration as MOMO v1. The changes affected the engine, igniter, avionics, airframe systems, and ground equipment, as well as vehicle mass, length, propellant quantity, and thrust. IST also expanded its commercial and institutional relationships. In March 2018 it entered a business alliance with Nippon Travel Agency and Space Development Corp. It obtained investment from Kushiro Manufacturing in May of the same year and had raised approximately ¥30 million through crowdfunding by June 2018. These activities reflected an effort to combine private capital, public interest, customer participation, and regional economic development around Hokkaido’s emerging space sector. For orbital missions, IST began planning ZERO, a small launch vehicle intended to deliver satellites into orbit. Publicly described objectives include carrying roughly 250 kilograms to a 500-kilometre sun-synchronous orbit. The concept has been associated with liquid biomethane fuel and with the company’s planned expansion from experimental suborbital missions into commercial orbital services. In January 2023, IST announced DECA, a larger vehicle intended to support satellite constellations, larger spacecraft, and possible cargo missions to the International Space Station. DECA is also connected with Our Stars, an IST wholly owned satellite-development subsidiary. The company’s launch base is located beside JAXA’s Taiki Aerospace Research Field in Taiki, Hokkaido. Launch Complex 0 serves MOMO operations and static engine testing. Planned Launch Complexes 1 and 2 are intended to support ZERO assembly, testing, and more frequent launches. In April 2021, IST announced plans associated with Hokkaido Spaceport, including potential runway expansion and additional aerospace infrastructure within the Taiki area. In January 2025, Woven by Toyota invested $44 million in Interstellar Technologies. The investment represented an important private-sector financing event as IST continued work on orbital launch vehicles and related space infrastructure. The company remains privately held and its long-term commercial success depends on completing development, obtaining the required approvals, achieving reliable launch performance, and building sufficient demand among small-satellite customers.
- 2025
Woven by Toyota investment
[1]Woven by Toyota invested $44 million in Interstellar Technologies.
- 2023
DECA development announced
[1]IST announced plans for DECA, a larger launch vehicle intended for satellite and potential space-station logistics missions.
- 2021
Hokkaido Spaceport expansion announced
[1]IST announced plans connected with expanding the Taiki aerospace area into a privately operated spaceport and completed the major MOMO upgrade program.
- 2019
MOMO completes successful suborbital flight
[1]MOMO successfully carried a 20-kilogram payload on a trajectory reaching the edge of space.
- 2018
Commercial alliance and private financing
[1]IST formed a business alliance with Nippon Travel Agency and Space Development Corp. and received investment from Kushiro Manufacturing.
- 2017
First MOMO launch attempt
[1]IST attempted to launch MOMO, but the flight failed.
- 2013
Current-company founding date used in public descriptions
[1]2013 is commonly cited as the founding year of the present Interstellar Technologies company.
- 2005
Interstellar Technologies name adopted
[1]The organization became known as Interstellar Technologies.
- 2003
Predecessor company established
[1]A predecessor company was created to develop rockets for small-satellite missions, with Takafumi Horie associated with its establishment.
- 1997
Hobbyist rocket group established
[1]The organization that eventually developed into Interstellar Technologies began as a Japanese hobbyist rocket group.
Products and positioning
A Japanese private space company focused on reducing launch costs through small rockets, reusable development knowledge, commercial launch services, and privately operated spaceport infrastructure.
Sounding rocket · 2017
MOMO
MOMO is IST’s liquid-propellant sounding rocket for suborbital research, technology demonstration, and payload flights. The vehicle uses liquid oxygen and ethanol, a pressure-fed engine, gimballed thrust for steering, and cold-gas thrusters for roll control. It is designed for a flight reaching approximately 100 kilometres and for payloads of about 20 kilograms to the edge-of-space region. MOMO has served as the company’s principal vehicle for developing propulsion, avionics, flight-control, launch-operation, and payload-integration capabilities.
Upgraded sounding rocket · 2021
MOMO v1
MOMO v1 is the substantially upgraded configuration of the MOMO sounding rocket. The redesign followed problems involving the engine nozzle and igniter during earlier test attempts. IST revised the engine system, airframe equipment, avionics, and ground-support equipment, including new nozzle and ignition hardware. The company also reported increases in dry mass, propellant mass, vehicle length, and engine thrust. Earlier versions are commonly distinguished as MOMO v0.
Orbital launch vehicle
ZERO
ZERO is IST’s planned orbital launch vehicle for small satellites. Publicly described objectives call for delivering approximately 250 kilograms to a 500-kilometre sun-synchronous orbit. The concept is associated with liquid biomethane propulsion and represents the company’s planned transition from suborbital sounding-rocket operations to commercial orbital launch services. The first launch has been publicly planned for 2027, subject to development and regulatory progress.
Orbital launch vehicle
DECA
DECA is a larger launch-vehicle concept announced by IST in 2023. The company describes it as a platform for deploying small-satellite constellations, placing larger satellites into orbit, and potentially transporting cargo to the International Space Station. DECA is also intended to support the satellite constellation activities of Our Stars, an IST wholly owned subsidiary. Public materials do not establish a completed vehicle or operational launch date.
Launch infrastructure · 2021
Hokkaido Spaceport
Hokkaido Spaceport is the broader private-sector spaceport expansion concept associated with IST’s facilities in Taiki, Hokkaido. The plan includes launch complexes, vehicle assembly and testing facilities, and potential runway improvements. Launch Complex 0 supports MOMO operations and static tests, while planned Launch Complexes 1 and 2 are intended to support ZERO assembly and more frequent orbital launches.
Brand decisions
2025
Woven by Toyota strategic investmentOtherBackground
IST required additional private capital to continue developing orbital launch vehicles and related infrastructure.
Action taken
Woven by Toyota invested $44 million in Interstellar Technologies.
Aftermath
The investment strengthened IST’s private-sector financing base; the available reference does not specify governance changes or a revised ownership percentage.
Investment. $44 million investment (January 2025)
2023
DECA development program announcedProduct launchBackground
IST’s planned orbital portfolio expanded beyond the small-satellite-focused ZERO vehicle.
Action taken
The company announced DECA as a larger launch vehicle for satellite constellations, larger spacecraft, and possible cargo missions to the International Space Station.
Aftermath
DECA broadened IST’s stated long-term scope from small launch services toward larger orbital transportation missions.
2021
Comprehensive MOMO redesign and MOMO v1 designationGeneration changeBackground
Earlier MOMO flight attempts exposed problems associated with the engine nozzle and ignition system.
Action taken
IST upgraded the engine, nozzle, igniter, avionics, airframe equipment, and ground-support systems, and began distinguishing the earlier vehicle as MOMO v0 and the revised vehicle as MOMO v1.
Aftermath
The redesign established a revised configuration for continued suborbital testing, although the available reference material does not provide a complete subsequent flight record.
2021
Hokkaido Spaceport expansion strategyStrategyBackground
IST sought to expand its Taiki facilities as it moved toward more frequent commercial launch operations.
Action taken
The company announced a private-sector spaceport concept involving additional launch complexes, vehicle assembly and testing infrastructure, and possible runway expansion.
Aftermath
The plan positioned the Taiki area as a broader regional aerospace hub supporting both suborbital and planned orbital programs.
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