| SPACE ONE CO., LTD. | |
| Native Name: | スペースワン株式会社 |
| Type: | Privete KK |
| Industry: | Space industry |
| Predecessor: | New Generation Small Rocket Development Planning Co., Ltd. |
| Foundation: | (de jure) (de facto) |
| Location: | Landmark Shibakoen 6F, 1-2-6 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0011 Japan |
| Area Served: | Japan |
| Key People: | Masakazu Toyoda (President) |
| Products: | Launch vehicles |
| Services: | Commercial space transportation services |
, or Space One (スペースワン), is a Japanese aerospace manufacturer, orbital launch service provider, and spaceport operator. It is a private spaceflight company developing and operating the KAIROS orbital launch vehicle for small satellite launches; KAIROS flew its unsuccessful maiden flight in March 2024.[1] The company was founded by investments from (a listed subsidiary of Canon), IHI Aerospace (a subsidiary of IHI Corporation), Shimizu Corporation and the Development Bank of Japan in July 2018.[2]
See main article: KAIROS (rocket). The namesake of the KAIROS rocket, or Kii-based Advanced & Instant Rocket System,[3] is the Greek word Kairos, which means 'time' and is also an alternate spelling of the name of Caerus, the Greek deity of luck and opportunity.[4]
Shimizu Corporation constructed Space One's own launch site for KAIROS, named Spaceport Kii, as Japan's first-ever private sector spaceport, in Kushimoto, Wakayama, Japan between 2019 and 2021. The launch site provides access to various orbit inclinations.[5]
This spaceport is accessible from Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport) via Nanki–Shirahama Airport in approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes, and from Kansai International Airport in approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
On March 13, 2024, Kairos rocket exploded moments into its maiden voyage, aiming to become the first Japanese private company to deploy a satellite into orbit. The 59-foot solid-fueled rocket disintegrated shortly after liftoff from the Kii peninsula in western Japan, leaving behind debris and a cloud of smoke; there were no immediate reports of injuries.[6]