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Interstellar Technologies

In 1997, space lovers nationwide gathered, and studies of the smallest rocket which can be launched by the private low-cost satellite started. Spacecraft engineers, science journalists and writers gathered and formed an organization "Natsu no Rocket Group" aiming for private space development in the country, and started activities. As a result, it has led to the development of the present rocket, which led to the concept of a micro-rocket with a launch weight of several hundred kilograms that orbits tens of grams of satellites. Originally they did not have any experimental equipment, repeated the combustion experiment of the first rocket engine in the bathroom of the apartment where the member lived, afterwards the base to Hokkaido Akabira Town. And now in Hikkaido Taiki Town.

In 2006 SNS Co., Ltd. joined and started to develop rocket engines as one of its businesses. In 2007 they started development of combustion test facilities with development base in Chiba prefecture. The development base moved to Akpyi city in Hokkaido in 2009 and started developing 90kgf class engine.

In March 2011 they successfully launched the launch test of "Harukoban", the first demonstration launch vehicle in Hokkaido Taiki Town. In July 2011 came the successful launch test of Unit 2 "Natsu Festival" at Taiki Town. And December 2011 saw the successful launch test of Unit 3 "Yuki Akari" at Taiki Town.

Interstellar Technologies, Inc., which succeeded SNS Corporation's rocket development business and specialized in space development, was established in January 2013 in Taiki-cho, Hokkaido. In March the launch test of Unit 5 'Hinamatsuri' at Taiki Town failed. In August 2013 they conducted a successful launch test of Unit 6 "Suzukase" at Taiki Town.

And on 11 November 2013 came the successful launch of Japan's first private private commercial rocket "Pocky" in Taiki Town. - Pocky ... total length: 3.3m, Weight: 23kg, 11 hours 11 minutes launch, reaching altitude: 1,126M - Prydz ... total length: 3.3m, Weight: 19kg, 12 hours 11 minutes launch, reaching altitude: 1,160 m

In June 2015 they were commissioned research and development project of Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. In January 2016 started development of 10 kN (1 tonf class) engine for 100 km launch machine. As a joint research with the University of Tokyo, conducted a 1200 N engine combustion test.

The company re-engineered and re-imagined the Space Launch Vehicle from the ground up using the latest materials and technologies, in often innovative ways. The result is a Space Launch Vehicle that provides the same levels of reliability, but at a lower cost. By reducing the cost, Interstellar Technologies claims to provide an economic benefit to existing consumers and make space flights accessible to many new customers and applications.

Developed by Interstellar Technologies Inc. to provide a low cost launch service, the MOMO sounding rocket is capable of launching a 20kg payload to outer space (an altitude in excess of 100km). Providing a microgravity environment for approximately 4 minutes, the payload can then be recovered at sea. The rocket has a wide range of applications, including observations of the upper atmosphere and microgravity experiments, space observations with infrared and X-rays, technical experiments which require high acceleration environment during launch, business application such as PR activities for products, and entertainment.

“Momo” is a liquid-fuel rocket which propellants are fed by Helinum gas pressure. With liquid fuleled rocket engines that use ethanol (EA) for fuel and liquid oxygen (LOX) as an oxidizer, Momo provides much gentler acceletion and vibration environment for the payload compared to solid fuel rockets. The rocket's pitch and yaw are controlled through thrust vector control via the movement of engine gimbals. Roll is controlled with cold gas jets.

Everything from rocket construction, payload preparation, launch and operations for recovery are carried out at IST facilities located in Taiki, Hokkaido. One of IST's advantages is the fact that rocket components such as engines, fuselages, various types of mechatronics, avionics, radio equipment, and simulation programs are all produced by our selves. By utilizing the comprehensive engineering technologies developed within the company, we are able to respond flexibly to users' needs. To perform best, the first few launches will be carried out as technical experiment to demonstrate establishment of ballistic flight technology.

The sub-orbital rocket "Momo" was planned for launch by Interstellar Technologies, Inc. in the summer of 2016, reaching an altitude of 100 km or more. With support for 734 people during the 2 months until 31 July 2017, they achieved total support amount of 22,710,333 yen. Interstellar Technologies launched the launch test of the first MOMO observation rocket MOMO at Taki Town on 30 July 2017 It was carried out. After rocket flight for 66 seconds, telemetry from the aircraft was disrupted, we made an emergency stop. In addition, the rocket dropped to the scheduled falling area. Many achievements were obtained in this launch experiment and it was a big step forward for future rocket development.

The Japanese space company Interstellar Technologies failed in the launch 27 July 2019 its fourth Momo sounding rocket, two months after a successful launch of the Momo-F3. The one-ton, 10-meter-long vehicle took off from its launch pad in Taiki, on the island of Hokkaido, but didn’t reach the intended altitude of 100km. Instead, the onboard computer shut down the rocket’s engine after detecting abnormality some 13km in the air. It safely fell into the ocean. The Momo-F4, which was fueled by liquid oxygen and ethanol (apparently sake from a local brewery), was meant to deploy several origami paper planes after reaching apogee. The fourth launch marks a third failure for the company after one success in May 2019. The first two Momo rockets were tested in 2017 and 2018.