SpaceData and France’s Look Up Announce Partnership to Build a Space Situational Awareness Data Platform in Japan

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

SpaceData Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Katsuaki 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.