IQPS

About IQPS

The Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS) is a Japanese space-tech company that manufactures and operates a constellation of small Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites for Earth observation. It was founded in June 2005 by Kyushu University Emeritus Professors Tetsuo Yasaka and Akira Sakurai, along with Kunihiro Funakoshi, a rocket developer from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The company originated from over two decades of small satellite development at Kyushu University with the initial goal of establishing a space industry in the Kyushu region of Japan. In 2013, as the original founders were considering closing the company, graduate student Shunsuke Onishi joined with a business plan to build small SAR satellites for real-time Earth observation, subsequently becoming the CEO in April 2014.

iQPS develops and builds the QPS-SAR, a high-resolution small SAR satellite that weighs approximately 100kg, which is significantly lighter and less costly than conventional SAR satellites. This was achieved through the development of a patented, lightweight, and highly foldable 3.6-meter diameter antenna. The satellites can capture high-resolution imagery day or night and through any weather conditions. The system offers two imaging modes: a stripmap mode with 1.8m resolution and a spotlight mode with a high resolution of 46cm. The company's business model involves providing high-resolution SAR imagery and data-related services. Clients can place new observation orders and purchase archived data through a provided console and API. Its customer base includes government entities, with a significant portion of its current revenue coming from Japanese government contracts, including a recent award from the Ministry of Defense for its Satellite Constellation Project.

The company's ultimate vision is to establish a constellation of 36 QPS-SAR satellites. This constellation aims to provide a "Near-Real-Time Data Provisioning Service," enabling the observation of almost any point on Earth with an average interval of just 10 minutes. This capability will allow for the monitoring of both stationary objects and moving targets like vehicles and ships. The company went public on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market in December 2023. It has raised capital through a Series A funding round of $20.6 million in November 2017 and subsequent stock offerings. iQPS collaborates with over 25 partner companies, primarily in northern Kyushu, for its satellite manufacturing and development.