The Space Strategy Fund, established by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), aims to support the development and commercialization of advanced space technologies by providing strategic and flexible funding. One of the projects is an Optical observation satellite system with high resolution/high frequency.

Prerequisites:

• Identify key stakeholders such as the government, industry, and academia, and build relationships with them.

• Encourage involvement in the consortium.

• National space policy/strategy with clear lead agency and budget line

• Access to technical/business experts to support private entities applying for funding

• Lead agency & budget

• Procurement pathway

• Partner support as needed

Cost:

• Ballpark: USD 50k–250k (does not include cost for the fund)

• Includes: partnership setup, fund design and governance, technical assistance, monitoring & evaluation, administrative support. 

In the use case illustrated, the funding to be provided in 10 years is approximately 6.7B USD

Timeframe:

• Overall 12-60 months

• Includes: scoping and design (6-12 mo), pilot launch and funding phase (6-24 mo), optional expansion & multi-year funding cycles (12-48 mo)

Pros:

• Mitigating Cost - Reduces individual financial burdens and make large-scale projects more feasible.

• Improved Access - Provides access to new markets and opportunities through shared networks and partnerships.

Considerations:

• Articulation - Managing and coordinating multiple stakeholders with different objectives and priorities can be challenging and may require robust governance/operating structures.

• Timeline and Distant ROI - EO R&D projects often require extended timelines, which can be challenging for organisations seeking quick returns on investment.