Letara

Letara is a pioneering Japanese Deep Tech startup revolutionizing satellite mobility through high-safety hybrid chemical propulsion. Spun off from Hokkaido University in 2020 by Co-CEOs Shota Hirai and Landon Kamps, the company utilizes solid plastic fuel combined with liquid oxidizers to deliver high thrust without the volatility of traditional rocket fuels. Their proprietary CAMUI (Cascaded Multistage Impinging-jet) technology ensures stable combustion and repeatable restarts, which is critical for complex orbital maneuvers. By May 2026, Letara has transitioned into its In-Orbit Demonstration (IOD) phase, backed by a major ¥1 billion NEDO grant. Through strategic partnerships with entities like Innovative Space Carrier (ISC), Letara is scaling its modular propulsion units to support everything from CubeSats to large-scale launch vehicles. As a key enabler for NIF Freedom of Operations and Mobility and NIF Security of Critical Technologies, Letara provides a safe, cost-effective, and "plug-and-play" propulsion solution that grants satellites the agility needed for debris avoidance and mission longevity.

Keywords: chemical propulsion, small satellites, hydrocarbon fuels, hybrid propulsion, aerospace, cost-efficiency, safety, thrust, R&D, optimization software.