Serious about realizing space solar power in the future Space Venture Company Momoko Fukunaga, CEO of cosmobloom Inc. Cosmobloom Inc.

Tokyo Metropolitan Enterprise Location Consultation Center (Location: Ota-ku, Tokyo), a space venture company, and published the interview with Ms. Momoko Fukunaga, CEO of cosmobloom Inc. on September 10, 2024 on the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Corporate Location Consultation Center website.

Momoko Fukunaga, Representative Director and CEO of cosmobloom Co.

Pioneer of the "Gossamer Structure" in the challenge of space solar power generation

The term "space business" used to be synonymous with state-sponsored projects. In recent years, however, the driving force has been replaced by a number of venture companies. The government has established the "Space Strategy Fund" to provide a total of 1 trillion yen over the next 10 years to private companies and universities that develop cutting-edge technology in the space field. Japan's space business is expected to further accelerate in the future.

cosmobloom Corporation, which started its business in April 2023, is one of the space venture companies that are expected to gain momentum. We interviewed Ms. Momoko Fukunaga, CEO, about the company's business, its prospects, and the attractiveness of its location in Ota-ku, Tokyo.

Contributing to space exploration with "NEDA," a unique numerical analysis simulation tool

cosmobloom's predecessor was the Miyazaki Laboratory, Department of Aerospace Engineering, College of Science and Engineering, Nihon University (currently the Space Structure Systems Laboratory of JAXA). The company's strength lies in the analysis, design, and development of flexible structures (gossamer structures) such as membranes, films, cables, and mesh fabrics.

As space development advances in the future, "big" structures will become indispensable. For example, the space station will be the base for research and development, and the antennae will be indispensable for the generation of electric power and communication. The only way to deliver the materials that make up such huge structures to space is by rocket. Since space in a rocket is limited, materials must be as light as 1g and as small as 1mm. The Gossamer structure is attracting attention because of its superior lightness, deployability, and storable characteristics. However, because the Gossamer structure is extremely flexible, it is directly affected by air and gravity on Earth, making it difficult to conduct experiments on the ground before launch. This is where our knowledge of numerical analysis and design technology of the Gossamer structure comes into play.

The company's core technology that Fukunaga describes is NEDA, a numerical analysis simulation tool developed by cosmobloom co-founder and CTO Yasuyuki Miyazaki. This tool was used in the development of IKAROS, a small solar-powered sail launched by JAXA in 2010, which became the world's first successful interplanetary spacecraft powered primarily by a solar-powered sail.

Despite the success of IKAROS, space development by the private sector was not as active at that time as it is today, and there were few attempts to commercialize solar-powered sails. However, with the recent increase in the number of space venture companies, the need is expanding, and with it, the potential for cosmobloom's business expansion is rapidly increasing."

Conceptual diagram of the Gossamer structure

Reducing "space waste" with a special device that can be installed on nano-satellites

The membrane surface antenna being developed by cosmobloom is designed to be modular. If seven modules are combined, a planar antenna with a maximum diameter of approximately 500 cm can be constructed with a storage area of approximately 60 cm x 60 cm.

We then asked about the company's current business activities.

First of all, we analyze flexible structures using NEDA at the request of clients who have ideas for such structures. We also use the results to support the design of structures. We are increasingly being approached by companies not only in Japan but also in Europe, which may lead us to explore avenues for joint development and funding."

The second is a solution for space waste, which has been a problem in space development in recent years.

Some companies specialize in the recovery and removal of small satellites that have become space junk after their operations have ended. To address this problem, we are developing a deorbit device called the "Deorbit Device," which will allow satellites to enter the atmosphere and burn up before they are turned into trash. Actually, this device itself has been around for some time, but it has not been widely used because of its size and weight.

The company's Deorbit device is characterized by its small size. When stowed, the device measures only 8.1 cm x 9.6 cm x 2.5 cm and can be installed in the 3U and 6U (1U = a cube of 10 cm on each side) microsatellites that have been on the rise in recent years, while when unfolded, it measures 2.86 m2 and is able to firmly take the resistance of the atmosphere, which exists in space in minute quantities, It can be put into a disposal orbit. The design is almost complete, and the plan is to load it onto a rocket in the next fiscal year or later for demonstration tests in space.

Third is the development of a membrane surface antenna that can be mounted on a small satellite, which will contribute to the realization of the Space Solar Power System (SSPS).

SSPS is a system that transmits power generated by solar power in space as microwaves or lasers to the ground and reconverts it into electricity. It is said that to generate power equivalent to one nuclear power plant, it is necessary to build a huge flat surface about 2.5 km by 2.5 km in size. The membrane surface antenna we are developing also serves as the basic technology for the SSPS and measures 20cm x 20cm when stored and 200cm in diameter when unfolded, making it possible to build a larger antenna by combining them. We are confident that our technology will be needed by the Japanese government, which is aiming to become carbon neutral by 2050.

The 0.25U size deorbit device developed in the past had a rectangular membrane surface and was restricted in its position when attached to the satellite body. On the other hand, the deorbit device being developed by cosmobloom has a triangular membrane surface, which allows for a greater degree of freedom in installation.

It is likely that cosmobloom will make a significant contribution to the realization of the Space Solar Power System (SSPS = Space Solar Power System)(1).

■Advantages of locating in Ota and Tokyo: Diverse support for management, subsidies, networking, etc.

Finally, we asked about the appeal of Rokugo BASE, the Ota Ward-based business start-up support facility where cosmobloom is based.

In fact, I have a very close relationship with Ota Ward (laughs). My great-grandfather used to run a metalworking factory in the ward, my grandfather worked at the Jonan Shinkin Bank in Rokugo for many years, and before I started my own business, when I worked for a game development and sales company, I had relationships with various manufacturing plants in Ota Ward.... I had a lot of connections with various manufacturing plants in Ota Ward.... And above all, we are a fabless company, so it was attractive for us to be in an environment where there are many factories and companies that manufacture high quality products in close proximity to us. For these reasons, we searched within Ota Ward and found Rokugo BASE.

Rokugo BASE offers a variety of attractive features, including very low rent, a prototype room with a 3D printer and laser cutter, and regular meetings with the community manager, Fukunaga said.

We can have meetings once a month if we want, or once every three months at the most, to reconfirm our business progress, share information related to finance, and even arrange exhibitions. Also, since all of our members were amateurs when it came to business management, the support during the start-up phase, such as checking the contents of contracts and specific methods of registering trademarks, was really helpful. Exhibitions gave us the opportunity to participate in "Meet New Solution in OTA" and "Venture Pitch in HANEDA 2023" (both organized by Ota City Industrial Promotion Association) in February 2024, which led to introductions to investors and contacts from metal processing factories. Through a person introduced to us through Rokugo BASE, we will soon be joining the local Kamata Industrial Association, and we look forward to expanding our network even further.

Another essential aspect of Rokugo BASE's location is its easy accessibility.

I often fly to participate in academic conferences or on regional business trips, so I really appreciate the fact that I can get to Haneda in about 20 minutes from the Keikyu bus stop right in front of Rokugo BASE," he said. Another advantage is that JAXA is located in the Kanto region, in Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture, and Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture, so we can take the Keikyu train right to the center.

Due to the timing of the month of establishment, he has not yet applied for a grant from Ota Ward, but he is definitely interested in applying for and receiving various subsidies from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. In addition, he says he is encouraged by the variety of business support available from the Tokyo Metropolitan Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion Agency.

Expectations are high for cosmobloom to make great strides in space development by taking advantage of the rich environment provided by Rokugo BASE, Ota Ward, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

It is likely that cosmobloom will make a significant contribution to the realization of the Space Solar Power System (SSPS)(2).

■Company Profile

Company name: cosmobloom Inc.

Location: Rokugo BASE 229, 3-10-16 Minami-Rokugo, Ota-ku, Tokyo

Representative ： Momoko Fukunaga, CEO

Establishment ： April 2023

Business : Design, development, and sales of membrane surface antennas and deorbit devices

　　　　　　　 Analysis and design support business for space flexible structures

　　　　　　　 Consulting business for space flexible structures

　　　　　　　 Space industry engineer training business

Website: https://cosmo-bloom.com/

■Information Source

Tokyo Metropolitan Enterprise Location Consultation Center

Home Page:https://ilsc.tokyo/

What is the Tokyo Metropolitan Consultation Center for Companies Location?

The Tokyo Metropolitan Corporate Location Advisory Center provides free consultation for companies and sole proprietors in search of a "location" to establish or expand their business. We will ask you about your desired conditions and make a simultaneous inquiry to private real estate businesses that handle offices, stores, factories, and business sites.

We also provide information on public property information and support systems of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and municipalities in Tokyo.

(The Tokyo Metropolitan Government's Consultation Center for New Business Location is operated by the Bureau of Industrial and Labor Affairs, Tokyo Metropolitan Government.)

Articles

Interviews with companies that have located and are active in Tokyo and persons in charge of corporate support from the municipalities are posted on the website of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's Consultation Center for Investors in New Business Facilities.

URL: https://ilsc.tokyo/voice/048.html