Japan-France collaboration to strengthen space security through the development of a domestic SSA/STM data processing infrastructure. ‍

April, 1st, 2026 

SpaceData Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Koyo Sato; hereinafter “SpaceData”) today announced a business partnership with Look Up (Headquarters: Toulouse, France; hereinafter “Look Up), a French space situational awareness (SSA) company, to build a data platform for space situational awareness (SSA) and space traffic management (STM). 

Through this partnership, the two companies will leverage Look Up’s radar observation data and data processing platform “SYNAPSE” to develop a domestic SSA/STM data processing infrastructure in Japan. 

Background‍

The number of active satellites has increased from fewer than 2,000 ten years ago to more than 13,000 today and is expected to exceed 40,000 by 2030. This exponential growth has made space situational awareness (SSA) - the ability to accurately track and monitor objects in Earth orbit to assess collision risks and security threats - a growing priority worldwide. 

Currently, orbital tracking data is heavily dependent on the United States, making the development of autonomous space surveillance capabilities a critical security concern for both Europe and Japan. Japan has been accelerating its space security posture, reorganizing its Air Self-Defense Force space operations unit into a larger “Space Operations Group” of approximately 670 personnel in March 2026, with plans to further expand to approximately 880 personnel. 

Japan-France cooperation in space defense has also been deepening. In March 2026, the two countries signed a document on the dispatch of a Japan Air Self-Defense Force liaison officer to the French Space Command (Commandement de l’Espace), signaling a new phase in bilateral space security collaboration. This partnership builds on these government-level security cooperation trends, with private sector companies advancing the development of technical infrastructure in the SSA/STM domain. ‍

Partnership Overview ‍

The partnership is built around three key objectives: 

1. Supporting the sustainable use of space resources through advanced SSA and STM data and services
2. Establishing a high-performance SSA/STM data processing platform in Japan
3. Strengthening commercial cooperation between Japan and France in the space technology sector 

Areas of Cooperation and Roles 

SSA Observation Data (Look Up) 

Look Up will provide orbital data and related information generated through its proprietary ground-based radar system “SORASYS” and data processing platform “SYNAPSE.” SORASYS is a high-performance radar capable of detecting and tracking objects as small as a few centimeters in low Earth orbit. SYNAPSE fuses and analyzes data in real time from multiple sensors to assess collision risks and detect anomalous orbital maneuvers. Look Up will also contribute technical and operational expertise in orbital analysis and space environment monitoring, as well as advisory and support services for SSA system architecture and operations. 

Domestic Data Processing Platform (SpaceData) 

SpaceData will leverage its integrated technology platform “PROVIDENCE,” including digital twin technology, to develop a domestic SSA/STM data processing platform in Japan. By combining this with planetary-scale space environment simulation technology, the company aims to build an infrastructure enabling high-precision, real-time space situational awareness. SpaceData will also lead branding, promotion, and customer acquisition activities in the Japanese market. 

Joint Business Development 

The two companies will jointly identify and pursue business opportunities in SSA and STM for commercial and government organizations in Japan, including services that contribute to enhanced resilience in disaster prevention and defense. 

Future Outlook 

As the utilization of space continues to expand, managing collision risks from the growing number of satellites and debris, as well as responding to security threats, has become a challenge for the international community. Through this partnership, SpaceData aims to develop Japan’s own SSA/STM data processing infrastructure, contributing to enhanced resilience in disaster prevention and defense, and the safe and sustainable use of space. SpaceData will continue to deepen Japan-France technology collaboration to realize a society where everyone can safely utilize space. 

About Look Up Space 

Founded in 2022 by Michel Friedling, former French Air & Space Force General and first Commander of French Space Command, and Juan-Carlos Dolado Perez, member of the International Academy of Astronautics and former Head of Space Situational Awareness at CNES, Look Up is a European SpaceTech scale-up aiming to become the global leader in space security, safety, and sustainability. 

Its solution relies on three technological pillars: SYNAPSE, a digital data-fusion and analytics platform, SORASYS, a global radar network for orbital object detection & tracking and an integrated satellite operations-management service. 

Through this holistic approach and end-to-end control of the value chain, Look Up delivers comprehensive Space Safety & Ops-as-a-Service, ensuring satellite safety and operational continuity in increasingly congested orbits and amid uncertain geopolitical contexts. 

More information: www.lookupspace.com

Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/look-up-space 

Press Contacts 

Look Up: Isabelle Gariador - i.gariador@lookupspace.com – +33 6 16 98 81 02 

Image 7: 

• Stanislas de Saint Hippolyte - sdesainthippolyte@image7.fr – +33 6 25 16 04 07 
• Charlotte Le Barbier - clebarbier@image7.fr - +33 6 78 37 27 60 

About SpaceData Inc. 

SpaceData Inc. is a technology startup creating new industries and social infrastructure through the fusion of space and digital technology, driven by the vision of “making space accessible to everyone.” 

Leveraging digital twin technology that precisely recreates Earth and space environments, SpaceData aims to build digital platforms supporting the next generation of solutions — from space to urban development, disaster prevention, and national security. The company is also working toward the realization of a space-based society through the development of operational platforms for space robots and space stations. 

For the latest news and announcements, please visit: https://spacedata.jp/news 

Company Name: SpaceData Inc. 

CEO: Katsuaki Sato 

Location: Toranomon Hills Business Tower 15F, 1-17-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 

Capital: JPY 1,513 million 

Business: Investment and research related to space development 

Website: https://spacedata.jp 

News: https://spacedata.jp/news 

X: https://x.com/spacedatainc 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spacedatajp/ 

Careers: https://www.wantedly.com/companies/spacedata/projects 

Contact 

Please reach out via the contact form below: https://spacedata.jp/contact