Other Initiatives

Kawasaki is also active in other fields of space exploration, engaged in various experimental and technological development programs.

Space Debris Removal Satellite

Reusable Launch Vehicle
View of connecting surface of debris-capturing unit (prototype)
Reusable Launch Vehicle
Artist’s rendition of space debris removal satellite capturing spent atellite
Reusable Launch Vehicle

Debris Removal Unprecedented Micro-Satellite (DRUMS)
The mission of the DRUMS is to demonstrate on-orbit technologies for removing space debris.

Demonstration* Plan for the DRUMS

Scheduled Date December 24th 2023
Scheduled Time Around 23:45 through around 23:55（UTC）
Reserved Period December 25th through December 26th 2023
TLE DRUMS
1 49401U 21102G 23354.65003749 .00004364 00000+0 29569-3 0 9995
2 49401 97.4589 42.3013 0020830 140.6913 219.5831 15.06797952115975

* Demonstration of a series of technologies related to debris removal: separating the target from the satellite, moving away from the target, approaching the target and simulated capture of the target.

Reusable Launch Vehicle

Reusable Launch Vehicle
(Photos courtesy of JAXA/Institute of Space and Astronautical Science [ISAS])
Reusable Launch Vehicle
(Photos courtesy of JAXA/Institute of Space and Astronautical Science [ISAS])

We have long been supporting efforts to develop spacecraft and flight control for future fully-reusable space transportation systems.

Stratospheric Platform Using Airship

Airship-type Stratospheric Platform

We have been conducting studies on utilizing airships as new stratospheric bases for communications and broadcasting that remain stationary approximately 20 km above the earth’s surface.