Japan Manned Space Systems Corporation
Corporate brand
UnclaimedJapan Manned Space Systems Corporation (JAMSS) is a Japanese private space-services company supporting human spaceflight, International Space Station operations, space experiments, astronaut training, payload integration, and commercial space utilization.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Japan Manned Space Systems Corporation, commonly known as JAMSS, is a Japanese private company established to provide the technical capabilities and operational support required for human spaceflight. Its origins lie in Japan's decision to participate in the International Space Station program and in the need for an organization that could complement the capabilities of the National Space Development Agency of Japan, or NASDA, the predecessor of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Founded in May 1990 with private-sector funding, JAMSS initially supported the development and operation of Japan's Experiment Module, later named Kibō, the Japanese laboratory attached to the ISS. JAMSS's work extends well beyond hardware development. The company supports JAXA's operation of Kibō and contributes to the operation of the H-II Transfer Vehicle and its successor, HTV-X. Its personnel include astronaut-training instructors, flight directors, experiment coordinators, and specialists responsible for preparing payloads and procedures for work in orbit. JAMSS provides ground training for astronauts from Japan and other nationalities who are assigned to conduct experiments in Kibō, including astronauts from the United States, Russia, Europe, and Canada. It has also supported candidate selection and training for JAXA's 2023 astronaut group and was selected in 2020 to provide health-management operations for Japanese astronauts staying aboard the ISS. The company operates across the broader space-services value chain. Its quality-assurance activities include analysis of materials, components, and software destined for spaceflight. It develops and supplies operational equipment such as Multi Protocol Converters, which adapt video and Ethernet data for ISS communications, as well as Cargo Transfer Bags and waste bags used in Kibō and cargo transportation systems. JAMSS also coordinates or enables commercial use of orbital facilities. Its Kirara service transports experimental materials to the ISS and returns them to Earth, with a particular emphasis on protein-crystallization research, educational activities, and promotional projects. JAMSS has pursued commercial and international partnerships through its United States subsidiary, JAMSS America, Inc., and through agreements with organizations such as Rocketplane Kistler, Satellite Applications Catapult, Axiom Space, Space Applications Services, AWS, and Vast. Its projects have included the GLASS maritime-traffic experiment, satellite deployment for Brazilian universities and research organizations, and the JAFDIS automated file-downlink demonstration using AWS hardware aboard the ISS. In 2023, the company began assisting Toyota with development of the Lunar Cruiser crewed lunar rover, expanding its role from low-Earth-orbit operations toward future lunar mobility. The company has also applied space-derived data and operational knowledge to terrestrial industries. Its Remo Farm application combines satellite imagery, weather information, geographic data, and field observations to help farmers monitor crop conditions and make data-supported decisions. The service originated in an agricultural pilot project in Yamagata and was later selected for an Ehime Prefecture digital-technology initiative. In 2024, JAMSS announced joint research with Science Co., Ltd. on a space shower concept intended for demonstration in the ISS environment, showing the company's interest in practical products and services for future commercial stations and human habitats. JAMSS remains an active participant in the transition from government-led orbital infrastructure to a more commercial and multi-operator space economy. Its agreement with Vast in March 2025 made it the first payload partner from Asia for Vast's Haven-1 commercial space station, where the company's KLABOX payload locker is planned for installation. Overall, JAMSS's positioning combines Japanese human-spaceflight operations, ISS and Kibō expertise, astronaut and payload support, space-environment research, and commercialization of orbital and space-derived services.
History
JAMSS was created in May 1990 after Japan committed to participation in the International Space Station program. NASDA possessed substantial experience with launch vehicles and civilian satellites but required additional human-spaceflight expertise and personnel. JAMSS was therefore established as a privately funded company to support the development and operation of Japan's contribution to the ISS, the Japanese Experiment Module, subsequently known as Kibō. As Kibō moved from development into operations, JAMSS developed a continuing role in mission preparation and execution. The company trained astronauts in the procedures needed to conduct experiments in Kibō, supplied instructors and flight directors, and supported activities at JAXA's Tsukuba Space Center. Its responsibilities expanded to include quality assurance for spacebound materials, parts, and software, along with operational support for Japan's H-II Transfer Vehicle cargo system. JAMSS also developed equipment used in ISS logistics and communications, including Multi Protocol Converters, Cargo Transfer Bags, and waste bags. During the 2000s, JAMSS began exploring commercial uses of human-spaceflight infrastructure. In 2005, it announced plans to conduct space experiments jointly with space tourist Daisuke Enomoto. In 2007, it signed a memorandum with Rocketplane Kistler concerning commercial launch support for Japanese ISS users. Through JAMSS America, the company later assisted Orbital Sciences Corporation with procurement of a proximity-link system made by Mitsubishi Electric for the Cygnus cargo spacecraft. This work connected Japanese industrial capabilities with international commercial cargo operations. JAMSS America also pursued research using the ISS as a platform for Earth-observation and communications experiments. In 2014, the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space awarded it a grant for the GLASS project, which sought to receive automatic identification system signals from ships through an orbital platform. GLASS hardware was delivered to the ISS in July 2016 and installed in the Columbus module. The project operated until 2022, while later commercialization activity was transferred to another company. JAMSS America separately developed the proposed GRASP facility for collecting terrestrial radio-frequency signals; a research agreement was announced in 2016, although the available material does not establish that the planned facility entered service. The company supported deployment of Brazilian CubeSats from the ISS in 2015. It also signed a cooperation memorandum with the UK's Satellite Applications Catapult in November of that year to advance space commercialization. In Japan, JAMSS applied satellite remote sensing and information technology to agriculture. A 2016 pilot project in Funagata, Yamagata, supported rice cultivation using satellite and field data and led to the development of Remo Farm. The application was later released as a product in June 2022 and selected by Ehime Prefecture in July 2022 for a digital-agriculture initiative. JAMSS expanded its commercial-station relationships during the late 2010s. It signed a 2017 memorandum with Axiom Space regarding utilization of the planned Axiom Station. In 2018, it contracted Space Applications Services to host the Kirara unit on the ICE Cubes Facility. Kirara's first mission launched in December 2019, carrying an experiment from the University of Tokyo, and a second mission launched in December 2020 with research related to Remdesivir. The service became one of JAMSS's principal mechanisms for enabling organizations to send experiments and samples to the ISS and return them to Earth. The company continued to add operational and commercial capabilities in the 2020s. JAXA selected JAMSS in 2020 to provide health-management operations for Japanese ISS astronauts. In April 2023, JAMSS demonstrated JAFDIS, an automated file-downlink system using an AWS Snowcone aboard the ISS, in collaboration with Axiom Space and AWS. From 2023, it also assisted Toyota with the Lunar Cruiser crewed lunar rover. Additional activities included support for JAMSTEC's external ISS exposure experiments, cooperation with AWS on orbital cloud services, and joint research into a space shower. In March 2025, JAMSS signed an agreement with Vast to become the first Asian payload partner for Haven-1, Vast's planned commercial space station. Its KLABOX multi-purpose locker is intended to support research, education, promotional activities, and other payloads in the station's microgravity environment. JAMSS's trajectory reflects the broader evolution of Japan's space sector: from supporting a national laboratory and government cargo missions to providing specialized operational, research, and commercial services for a growing international space economy.
- 2025
Haven-1 payload partnership
[1]JAMSS signed an agreement with Vast to place its KLABOX payload locker aboard Haven-1.
- 2023
JAFDIS demonstrated on the ISS
[1]JAMSS demonstrated its automated file-downlink system aboard the ISS with Axiom Space and AWS.
- 2022
Remo Farm product release
[1]The commercial version of JAMSS's satellite-data agricultural application Remo Farm was initially released.
- 2020
Astronaut health-management contract
[1]JAXA selected JAMSS to conduct health-management operations for Japanese astronauts living aboard the ISS.
- 2019
First Kirara mission
[1]The first Kirara unit launched to the ISS with an experiment from the University of Tokyo.
- 2016
Agricultural remote-sensing pilot begins
[1]A JAMSS project applying satellite remote sensing and information technology to rice cultivation in Yamagata was selected as an advanced-agriculture pilot.
- 2015
Brazilian satellites deployed from the ISS
[1]JAMSS-supported deployments placed Brazil's AESP-14 and SERPENS satellites into orbit from the ISS.
- 2007
Commercial launch-support cooperation
[1]JAMSS signed a memorandum with Rocketplane Kistler concerning commercial launch support for Japanese ISS users.
- 1990
JAMSS is founded
[1]JAMSS was established as a private company in May to support NASDA's development and operation of Japan's ISS laboratory.
- 1985
Japan commits to ISS participation
[1]Japan finalized its decision to participate in the International Space Station program, creating demand for dedicated human-spaceflight expertise.
Products and positioning
A Japanese specialist in human-spaceflight operations and commercial space utilization, combining JAXA and ISS operational expertise with payload services, astronaut training, quality assurance, orbital experimentation, and applications of satellite data.
ISS commercial experiment service · 2019
Kirara
Kirara is a compact service for sending experiment materials to the ISS and returning them to Earth. Each unit is a roughly 10-centimeter cube containing an incubator and is hosted on the ICE Cubes Facility in the Columbus module. The service has supported protein-crystallization research, pharmaceutical-related experiments, educational activities, and promotional projects. Optional X-ray diffraction analysis can be arranged for returned protein crystals.
Commercial space-station payload locker
KLABOX
KLABOX is a modular payload locker designed for microgravity research and other activities aboard commercial space stations. Its compartments are based on 10-centimeter cubes, with a stated capacity of up to 12 units, and the system provides power and communications. It is planned for installation in the middeck locker of Vast's Haven-1 and is intended to accommodate research, education, entertainment, and promotional payloads.
Agricultural satellite-data application · 2022
Remo Farm
Remo Farm visualizes agricultural conditions using satellite imagery from Landsat and Sentinel-2 together with weather, geographic, and field-observation data. It can display vegetation indicators such as NDVI, preserve photographs and notes with timestamps, and help farmers identify uneven crop growth. The application grew from a Yamagata rice-cultivation pilot and was later used in an Ehime Prefecture digital-agriculture program.
ISS data-downlink system · 2023
JAFDIS
JAMSS Automated File Dump Innovation System is an autonomous file-downlink system developed for the ISS. It transfers files to the ground at scheduled times and uses an AWS Snowcone device located aboard the station. The system was demonstrated in April 2023 in cooperation with Axiom Space and AWS.
Space communications equipment
Multi Protocol Converter
JAMSS Multi Protocol Converters receive video and Ethernet data and convert it into formats compatible with the ISS communications system. The equipment is used not only in Japan's Kibō module but also in the US Orbital Segment and Europe's Columbus module.
Space logistics equipment
Cargo Transfer Bags
Cargo Transfer Bags, also called Soft Bags, are standardized containers used for supplies transported to the ISS by Japan's H-II Transfer Vehicle and planned HTV-X system. Besides organizing cargo, they provide cushioning and protection against vibration during launch.
Exercise and physical-therapy equipment · 2019
Pullsora
Pullsora was a compact, lightweight resistance exercise device developed from JAMSS's astronaut-training perspective. Its adjustable tension was intended for users with low muscle strength, and its design drew on similarities between microgravity and prolonged bed rest. The product was discontinued in December 2024.
Brand decisions
2025
Enter the commercial-space-station payload marketStrategyBackground
JAMSS aimed to extend its ISS payload and experiment expertise into the emerging market for privately operated space stations.
Action taken
The company signed an agreement with Vast to become a payload partner for Haven-1 and planned to install its KLABOX locker aboard the station.
Aftermath
The agreement positioned JAMSS as the first announced Asian payload partner for Haven-1, subject to the station and payload proceeding as planned.
2022
Commercialize Remo FarmProduct launchBackground
JAMSS developed a satellite-data agricultural application through a rice-cultivation pilot in Yamagata.
Action taken
The company released the product version of Remo Farm in June 2022.
Aftermath
Remo Farm was subsequently selected for an Ehime Prefecture initiative supporting digital solutions for local agricultural challenges.
2018
Expand commercial access to ISS facilitiesStrategyBackground
JAMSS sought to make orbital research more accessible to commercial and institutional users through its Kirara service and external facility partnerships.
Action taken
The company contracted Space Applications Services to host a Kirara unit on the ICE Cubes Facility in the Columbus module.
Aftermath
The arrangement supported the first Kirara mission in 2019 and subsequent experiment missions.
Recent events
Reported
InnoStudio announces international drug-development consortium[2]
InnoStudio announced the initiation of an international collaboration to develop a project combining microgravity research with drug research, development and formulation. The consortium is to include ComInnex, universities and space-technology companies.
Sources2 sources
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