Asset Finance & Alternatives in APAC & Beyond
Aviation Finance, Alt Asset Finance in APAC & Beyond
Your exclusive gateway to the latest developments across transportation and space, and most importantly, how to finance it all - debt, equity, and defi! We follow and forecast where the money’s at.
Join us as we navigate through the latest roundup to uncover key developments across the region.
**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**
Summary
Financing & Investments: Australia’s Aware Super Invests $300M in Vantage Data Centers APAC; Indonesia’s J&T Global Express Plans $596M Convertible Bond to Fund Expansion; Maybank Commits $2.5B to AI and Digital Banking Over Five Years; Malaysia’s LGMS Berhad Buys 27% Stake in Singapore Cybersecurity Firm Antarex; Singapore’s Toku Raises $12.65M in IPO, First 2026 Listing on SGX Catalist; AI Startup Level3AI Secures $13M Seed Funding to Expand in APAC; and Google Cloud Launches $1B Thailand Region to Boost Local AI Services
Environmental Sustainability: UN Calls for Financial Reforms to Drive Nature-Positive Investments; Indonesia Joins Global Coalition to Grow Carbon Markets; Inpex Withdraws Bonaparte CCS Project in Australia Amid Regulatory Uncertainty; Singapore Expands Emission Factors Registry to Strengthen Carbon Reporting; and Vietnam to Roll Out Biofuel-Blended Petrol Nationwide from June
Aviation: Topsoe to Supply SAF Technology for 300K-Ton Facility in China; India’s NRL Partners with TotalEnergies on 200K-Ton SAF Project; Hong Kong Pushes for Regional SAF Hub Amid Local Constraints; Malaysia’s Teleport Raises $50M Ahead of IPO to Expand Air Cargo Network; Singapore Introduces Fully Autonomous Baggage Tractors at Changi Airport; and Korean Air and Hanjin Carriers Ban In-Flight Power Bank Use Over Safety Concerns
Advanced Air Mobility: EU and Japan Strengthen Cooperation on Uncrewed Aircraft Safety and Regulations; India’s SASMOS HET Technologies Secures Long-Term eVTOL Wiring Contract with SkyDrive; Japan’s Unifly Validates Drone Detect-and-Avoid Standards for BVLOS Operations; and NextAVIAN to Host APAC AAM Leadership Summit at 2026 Airshow
Marine: Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Reports First Verified Carbon Removals, Targets 2.2M Tons by 2030; Malaysia’s OMS Group Orders Two Sustainable Cable-Laying Vessels from Norway’s Ulstein; Singapore’s Michael Kum Acquires $17M Stake in Marco Polo Marine; Singapore Launches All-Electric Hydromover 2.0 for Port Cargo Operations; and Vietnam Assigns Offshore Areas for Wind Surveys to EVN and Petrovietnam
Space: China Completes First Metal 3D Printing in Space; InterstellOr Plans Suborbital Flights for Private Passengers; India’s Aule Space Raises $2M for Autonomous Satellite Jetpacks; Japan’s Interstellar Technologies Secures AU$130M Series F to Advance Zero Rocket; and L3Harris to Provide Imaging Payload for Korea’s GEO-KOMPSAT-5 Weather Satellite
Financing & Investments
Investments across Asia-Pacific show a clear focus on AI, cloud, and digital infrastructure, with both large funds and startups driving growth. Cross-border deals and local expansions highlight strong confidence in tech-led transformation and regional market opportunities.
Australia-APAC
Australian fund Aware Super announced a $300 million investment in Skyline JV, which indirectly owns Vantage Data Centers APAC, a provider of hyperscale data centers with more than ten assets across Australia, Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. The investment builds on Aware Super’s relationship with DigitalBridge Group, following their 2023 co-investment in Switch Data Centers in the U.S., and brings the fund’s total digital infrastructure holdings to over AUD 6 billion ($4.04 billion), more than a quarter of its infrastructure portfolio.
💡The funding will support Vantage APAC’s expansion across the Asia-Pacific region, projected to require up to 20GW of data center capacity by 2030 driven by hyperscaler cloud deployments and AI workloads.
Indonesia
Indonesian courier company J&T Global Express said it plans to raise about HK$4.65 billion ($596.4 million) through the issuance of convertible bonds, according to a stock exchange filing on Friday. Based on an initial conversion price of HK$14.55 per share, and assuming full conversion, the 2026 convertible bonds could be converted into up to about 319.6 million new shares.
💡The company said the proceeds will be used to expand its overseas business and advance technology development, as well as to optimize its capital structure, including potential share repurchases, and for general corporate purposes.
Malaysia
Maybank said it will invest MYR 10 billion ($2.5 billion) over the next five years in technology, data and artificial intelligence as part of its long-term digital strategy. The lender said the funding will be used to modernize core banking systems, adopt cloud and AI architecture, and improve productivity and user experience. The program is intended to support growth beyond 2030 and strengthen operational resilience.
💡Maybank is targeting a return on equity of 13% to 14% by 2030 while balancing technology spending with cost and balance sheet management.
Malaysia
Malaysia-based cybersecurity firm LGMS Berhad has completed the acquisition of a 27% stake, or 3.09 million shares, in Singapore-based cyber defense technology company Antarex Holdings for MYR 22.68 million (about $5.66 million). The company said the deal was funded entirely through internal cash reserves, reflecting its current liquidity position. The investment is aimed at expanding AI-driven cybersecurity capabilities and strengthening LGMS’ presence across Southeast Asia.
💡Following the transaction, LGMS plans to integrate its StarSentry vulnerability management platform with Antarex’s defense technologies, including Managed XNI, DarkShield and Managed XOC+. The collaboration will support real-time threat detection, automated incident response and compliance-focused security services for enterprise and critical infrastructure clients. LGMS also intends to scale its Security Operations Center-as-a-Service offering using Antarex’s Managed XOC+ platform.
Singapore
Singapore-incorporated Toku Ltd., an AI-powered customer experience platform, raised S$16.25 million ($12.65 million) in its initial public offering, selling invitation shares at S$0.25 each. The company will list on the Catalist Board of the Singapore Exchange (SGX-ST), marking the first IPO on the exchange in 2026. The offering gives Toku a post-IPO market capitalization of S$142.56 million ($111.01 million).
The IPO drew participation from institutional investors including Lion Global Investors, Amova Asset Management Asia, Asdew Acquisitions, and Ginko-AGT Global Growth Fund. Toku plans to use the proceeds to scale its platform globally, expand AI capabilities, and pursue strategic partnerships and acquisitions.
Singapore
Artificial intelligence startup Level3AI raised $13 million in seed funding in a round led by Lightspeed, with participation from BEENEXT, 500 Global, Sovereign’s Capital and Goodwater Capital. The Singaporean company will use the proceeds to expand across Asia Pacific and invest further in research and development as it targets enterprises seeking to improve customer engagement using AI.
💡Founded in July 2024, Level3AI develops enterprise AI agents for voice, email and chat interactions. Its platform combines large language models with deterministic controls to deliver consistent and auditable outcomes, while guaranteeing performance metrics such as customer satisfaction or conversion rates.
Thailand
Google Cloud has launched a new cloud region in Thailand backed by a $1 billion investment, marking its first in-country infrastructure deployment for the market. The Bangkok region will provide local organizations with access to Google Cloud and AI services while addressing data residency and regulatory requirements, including Thailand’s Personal Data Protection Act.
Google said the facility includes three availability zones and is designed to support secure, high-performance computing for enterprises, startups and the public sector. Over the next five years, the company estimates the region will contribute about THB 1.4 trillion ($41 billion) in economic value and support an average of 130,000 jobs annually.
💡The new region is integrated with Google’s global network, including subsea and terrestrial cables connecting more than 200 countries, enabling lower latency and improved application performance in Thailand. Google said regulated industries such as financial services will benefit from in-country data storage and encryption, supporting broader cloud adoption.
Environmental Sustainability
Global and regional efforts show a shift toward nature-positive finance, carbon markets, and cleaner energy, with governments and businesses enhancing data, regulation, and incentives for sustainable investments. Policies range from carbon trading and biofuel adoption to improved emissions reporting, reflecting a growing focus on measurable climate and biodiversity outcomes.
Global
The United Nations has called for financial reforms to steer global markets toward people- and planet-friendly outcomes, highlighting a major imbalance in investment. The State of Finance for Nature 2026 report finds that for every dollar spent on protecting nature, $30 is directed to activities that degrade it. Major contributors include utilities, industrials, energy, and basic materials, as well as sectors benefiting from environmentally harmful subsidies such as fossil fuels, agriculture, water, transport, and construction.
💡The report identifies economically viable “nature-positive” solutions, including greening cities, integrating nature into infrastructure, and producing emissions-negative building materials. While $7.3 trillion was spent on nature-harming activities in 2023, only $220 billion supported nature-based solutions, mostly public-funded. Investment in biodiversity and landscape protection rose 11% year-on-year, with international public finance for nature-based initiatives up 22% from 2022 and 55% above 2015 levels.
Indonesia
Indonesia has joined the Coalition to Grow Carbon Markets, a government-led initiative aimed at strengthening global carbon trading and channeling private investment into nature-based climate solutions. The Ministry of Forestry became the coalition’s eleventh national member, endorsing a shared agenda to expand high-integrity use of carbon credits and support emissions reduction and environmental conservation.
💡The coalition, co-chaired by Kenya, Singapore, and the UK, promotes Shared Principles for Growing High-Integrity Use of Carbon Credits, first published at COP30. Current members include Canada, France, Panama, Peru, Switzerland, New Zealand, and Zambia. Indonesia’s participation leverages its experience in forest-based carbon projects, mangroves, and tropical peatlands, helping attract private investment into verified climate action initiatives.
Japan-Australia
Japanese energy company Inpex has withdrawn its Bonaparte carbon capture and storage (CCS) project from Australia’s federal environmental review, citing changes to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. The project, jointly owned with Woodside and TotalEnergies, is designed to store up to 300 million tons of CO₂ captured from the Ichthys offshore gas field, with construction initially planned for 2028 and operations targeted for 2031. Inpex intends to resubmit the project once the revised regulatory framework comes into effect, expected in February.
💡The withdrawal highlights regulatory uncertainty for large-scale offshore CCS in Australia, alongside economic and technical challenges. Environmental groups have raised concerns about potential leakage and marine impacts, while analysts note that existing financial incentives may not cover the high capital costs. If approved, Bonaparte could store up to 10 million tons of CO₂ annually, making it one of the country’s largest proposed carbon storage hubs.
Singapore
The Singapore Emission Factors Registry (SEFR) has expanded with 94 new emission factors (EFs) to strengthen local carbon data infrastructure and support more accurate business reporting. The additions include three new EFs for cleaning, security, and professional services; five for information and communications technology (ICT); and 86 for industrial processes, refrigerants, purchased energy, and building materials, bringing SEFR’s total to 319 EFs covering all Scope 1 and 2 emissions and four Scope 3 categories.
💡A*STAR and the Singapore Business Federation developed the service-specific EFs using local business activity data, providing actionable insights for companies to reduce carbon emissions. Recommended measures include using greener supplies and energy-efficient machinery in cleaning, electrifying security fleets, and extending IT asset lifespans in professional services. The registry also offers a carbon calculator for ICT emissions, helping businesses compare cloud and on-premise options. SEFR now serves as a key tool for companies advancing Singapore’s net-zero transition.
Vietnam
Vietnam will adopt biofuel-blended petrol nationwide from 1 June, replacing conventional fossil fuels. The move aims to cut road transport emissions, strengthen energy security, and support the domestic agricultural sector, while aligning with international climate commitments. Biofuels, made from renewable biological sources, are compatible with existing vehicles and fuel infrastructure, and authorities confirm supply is ready for a smooth transition.
💡The policy is expected to boost domestic biofuel production, create opportunities for farmers, and support rural economic development.
Aviation
Asia-Pacific aviation is seeing a strong push toward sustainable fuels, automation, and safety enhancements, with SAF projects, autonomous airport operations, and stricter in-flight safety measures gaining momentum. Investment and collaboration across countries highlight the region’s focus on green aviation, operational efficiency, and risk mitigation.
Denmark-China
Danish cleantech developer Topsoe has been selected by Tangshan Jinlihai Biotechnology to supply its Hydroflex® technology and services for a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel facility at the Tangshan Jinlihai industrial hub, with an annual feedstock capacity of 300,000 tons. Once operational, the project is expected to avoid roughly 700,000 metric tons of CO₂e each year—equivalent to emissions from about two million passengers flying from Beijing to Copenhagen.
💡The plant, located in Caofeidian Petrochemical Base in Hebei, China, will use waste oil as feedstock, with construction set to begin in late 2026 and operations targeted for late 2028. The agreement strengthens Topsoe’s SAF presence in China and marks its sixth contract in the country.
India-France
India’s state-run Numaligarh Refinery Ltd (NRL) will partner with France’s TotalEnergies to develop a 200-kilotonne-per-year sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) project at Paradip, Odisha, with a preliminary agreement to be signed during India Energy Week starting January 27. NRL and Oil India Ltd will also sign a preliminary deal with TotalEnergies for future LNG supplies.
💡At the same conference, Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd (BPCL) will purchase 12 million barrels of crude from Brazil’s Petrobras for fiscal year 2027, doubling 2026 volumes. BPCL’s unit, Bharat PetroResources Ltd, will also acquire stakes in oil and gas companies globally through a deal with Shell.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s Financial Secretary, Paul Chan Mo-po, urged the creation of a regional sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) hub in Asia, noting the city’s limited land, feedstock, and refining capacity make local production unfeasible. Hong Kong could participate through joint investments in neighbouring regions of China to support commercially viable SAF projects.
💡Chan also highlighted hydrogen transport trials, with 26 pilot projects approved last year, while Cathay Pacific aims to use SAF on 10% of its flights by 2030.
Malaysia
Malaysia-based logistics firm Teleport has signed a subscription agreement with funds managed by HPS Investment Partners to raise $50 million through the issuance of redeemable convertible perpetual securities as pre-initial public offering (IPO) growth capital. Teleport said the funding values the company at about $500 million on a pre-money basis and will be used to strengthen its balance sheet and expand its cross-border e-commerce network ahead of a future listing. The deal brings Teleport’s total funds raised since its 2018 launch to about $109 million.
Teleport, the logistics arm of Capital A Berhad, said the capital will support network growth with partner airlines and accelerate its asset-light air cargo model globally. The company operates an air network connecting more than 290 cities across 80 countries through over 50 partner airlines, focusing on cross-border e-commerce flows in Asia-Pacific and beyond.
💡Completion of the securities issuance is subject to conditions in the agreement. BNP Paribas and Milbank advised Teleport on the transaction, while Latham & Watkins acted for HPS.
Singapore
Changi Airport has introduced its first fully autonomous driverless tractors for airside baggage operations after nearly a year of trials. Two tractors are now operating between Terminal 1 and Terminal 4, with sensors and cameras enabling navigation in all conditions and remote monitoring allowing operator intervention if needed. Six more tractors will be deployed later this year between Terminal 2 and aircraft stands, with the fleet expected to reach 24 vehicles by 2027. The system will later be expanded for cargo and equipment handling.
💡The project, co-funded by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, aims to increase operational efficiency by allowing staff to focus on tasks beyond vehicle driving. Safety measures include designated AV zones and labelled vehicles. The rollout also supports workforce adaptation, with CAG and SATS using the program to redesign roles, implement training, and integrate automation into airside operations ahead of Terminal 5.
South Korea
Korean Air and four Hanjin Group carriers — Asiana Airlines, Jin Air, Air Busan, and Air Seoul — will ban the in-flight use of power banks from January 26. Passengers may still bring power banks onboard within existing capacity limits, but charging devices during flight is prohibited. To prevent short circuits, metal ports must be covered with tape or each battery stored separately, and all power banks must remain within personal reach, not in overhead bins.
The move follows a rise in in-flight incidents involving lithium-ion batteries. Airlines will notify passengers via websites, apps, check-in counters, boarding gates, and onboard announcements. Korean Air has also enhanced fire-prevention measures, including insulation tape at check-in, fire-containment bags, temperature-sensitive stickers on bins, and specialised cabin crew drills for battery-related fires.
Advanced Air Mobility
Advanced Air Mobility in Asia-Pacific and Europe is gaining momentum through regulatory alignment, safety validation, and industry partnerships, with eVTOL development, drone integration, and ecosystem-building events driving innovation. Cross-border collaboration highlights a focus on scalable, safe, and commercially viable low-altitude air transport solutions.
EU-Japan
The European Union and Japan are strengthening cooperation in civil aviation as uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and advanced air mobility expand. A workshop in Tokyo and Nagoya brought together authorities and industry from both regions to discuss risk-based approaches, regulatory compliance, and oversight, including practical exercises to align standards for safe and innovative UAS operations.
💡Organized under the EU–Japan Aviation Partnership Project (EU-JP APP) by EASA and JCAB, the event reinforced mutual understanding of operational safety and regulatory frameworks. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to international coordination, knowledge sharing, and supporting scalable, safe unmanned and advanced air mobility operations.
India-Japan
Bangalore-based aerospace and defence firm SASMOS HET Technologies has secured a long-term contract with Japanese eVTOL manufacturer SkyDrive to provide the Electrical Wiring Interconnection System (EWIS) for its eVTOL aircraft.
💡The agreement covers system design, prototyping, certification support, and serial production readiness, marking a milestone in SkyDrive’s push toward commercial deployment.
Japan
Unifly, a subsidiary of Japan-based Terra Drone Corp., has completed an FAA-supported study validating safety standards for drone detect-and-avoid systems. Conducted under Project A68 of the Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence, the research focused on “well clear” requirements that define safe separation distances between drones and crewed aircraft.
💡Using its uncrewed aircraft system (UTM) platform for simulations and flight tests, Unifly demonstrated that UTM technology can effectively support detect-and-avoid functions in beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations and high-density airspace. The findings are expected to inform regulatory frameworks and support broader integration of low-altitude airspace for drones and emerging aircraft.
Singapore
Singapore’s NexAviation, as the official partner for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and the Low Altitude Economy (LAE), will host the APAC AAM Leadership Summit at the Singapore Airshow 2026. The event aims to advance the region’s AAM and LAE ecosystem and accelerate innovation in air transport.
💡The summit on 2 February 2026 at the Singapore Institute of Technology will feature three panels—China LAE, Global AAM, and AAMI Infrastructure—with confirmed speakers from Albatross AI, Eve Air Mobility, Vertical Aerospace, Skyports Infrastructure, and other industry leaders. Discussions will focus on technology, infrastructure, and operational approaches to scaling advanced air mobility across the Asia-Pacific region
Marine
Maritime and offshore sectors are advancing sustainability and green infrastructure, from carbon removal initiatives and electric vessels to offshore wind development. Investments and partnerships across Asia highlight a trend toward low-carbon shipping, renewable energy expansion, and technologically advanced maritime operations.
Japan
Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) reported its first verified carbon removals under its Environmental Vision 2.2 plan, achieving 2,000 tons of CO₂ in fiscal 2024 and securing 53,400 tons of future removals through partnerships with Climeworks (Direct Air Capture), Captura (ocean capture), and Alt Carbon (enhanced rock weathering). The company said these measures complement ongoing emissions reduction efforts in shipping, which produces roughly 3% of global CO₂.
💡MOL is also advancing nature-based initiatives, including a 10,000-hectare forest joint venture with Marubeni in India, and collaborations with ITOCHU and Nippon Express to reduce supply chain emissions. The company aims to remove 2.2 million tons of CO₂ by 2030, combining technological and natural solutions while supporting the growth of the global carbon removal market.
Malaysia-Norway
Malaysian subsea digital infrastructure provider OMS Group has contracted Norwegian shipbuilder Ulstein to design and build two cable-laying vessels. Scheduled for delivery in 2028, the vessels are intended to support the growing demand for high-capacity submarine cable systems while incorporating sustainability features to reduce carbon emissions.
💡The vessels, designated Ulstein SX252, will measure 130 m by 22 m, with capacity for 6,500 tonnes of cable and accommodation for 75 personnel. Features include two main and two spare cable tanks, a hangar-covered cable deck, an open deck for ROVs and containers, and a 50-tonne A-frame with towing winch for ploughing
Singapore
Singaporean business magnate Michael Kum, through his investment vehicle Halom Investments, has acquired 150 million shares in offshore vessel operator and shipyard Marco Polo Marine from Apricot Capital. The shares were purchased at S$0.078 each, bringing the total transaction value to approximately S$17 million.
💡Following the sale, Apricot Capital’s stake in Marco Polo Marine declined from 16.15% to 12.16%. The firm originally became the company’s largest shareholder in 2018, investing S$20 million to support debt restructuring when Marco Polo Marine faced financial difficulties.
Singapore
The all-electric Hydromover 2.0, designed by Incat Crowther for Singapore’s marinEV, has begun transporting light cargo to vessels anchored in the Singapore Strait awaiting port entry. The 24-metre vessel carries up to 30 tonnes on its 70-square-metre cargo deck and is powered by a lithium-ion battery that can be fully charged in under two hours. It also features real-time analytics, route optimisation, collision detection, and automated vessel management systems.
💡Compared with its predecessor, the Hydromover 1.0, the 2.0 model offers 50% greater cargo capacity, 75% larger deck space, improved energy storage, and a redesigned electrical system to reduce power loss and extend operational range. Yinson GreenTech has signed a bareboat charter agreement with Yacht International UAE to deliver Hydromover 2.0 vessels to the United Arab Emirates, expected by mid-2026.
Vietnam
Vietnamese authorities have assigned sea areas to Vietnam Electricity (EVN) and Petrovietnam for offshore wind surveys. EVN received 240 sq km offshore the Long Chau archipelago and Bach Long Vi Island for the Bac Bo 1.3 and Bac Bo projects, while Petrovietnam was granted over 398 sq km off Lam Dong for the Nam Trung Bo 1 project. The survey periods are set at 36 months and are fee-free. These allocations aim to support offshore wind development while giving regulators greater control over marine space and reducing conflicts with other uses.
💡The survey assignments mark the first step in Vietnam’s offshore wind expansion. The government maintains its target of 6 GW by 2030, 17 GW by 2035, and between 113 GW and 139 GW by 2050, despite earlier proposals to delay development due to investment costs of $60–70 billion.
Space
Regional space activity is accelerating in suborbital flights, in-space manufacturing, satellite technology, and advanced launch systems, with private startups and established contractors driving innovation. Investments and experiments highlight trends in commercial space access, orbital autonomy, and high-resolution Earth observation.
China
China completed its first metal 3D printing experiment in space using a retrievable payload developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The payload was launched on the Lihong-1 Y1 suborbital vehicle from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center and produced metal components in microgravity at about 120 kilometers altitude. CAS described the mission as moving from ground-based research to in-space verification of metal additive manufacturing.
💡The experiment addressed challenges including material transport, microgravity forming, and process control. The payload was successfully recovered, providing data on melt pool behavior, material transport, solidification, and part accuracy. The vehicle, designed for reuse, also carried rose seeds for agricultural research. Planned upgrades include crew life support and escape systems to enable additional scientific experiments and commercial suborbital operations.
China
Beijing-based InterstellOr Human Spaceflight Technology has outlined plans for suborbital flights for private passengers with its CYZ-1 spacecraft. The vehicle features a crew module with six seats and a standby escape capsule, weighing approximately 8 metric tons with an internal volume of 21 cubic meters. It will be launched by a small carrier rocket, separate at around 70 kilometers altitude, and reach up to 200 kilometers above Earth, crossing the Karman Line without entering orbit.
💡The flight will provide roughly three minutes of weightlessness before descending under parachutes for a controlled landing. The company intends to complete two uncrewed test flights by the end of 2028, followed by the first crewed flight
India
Bengaluru-based spacetech startup Aule Space has raised $2 million in a funding round led by pi Ventures, with participation from angel investors including Eash Sundaram and Arvind Lakshmikumar. The capital will support the development of the company’s autonomous in-orbit “jetpacks” for satellites, which perform station-keeping and orbital adjustments without retrofitting or fuel transfer, extending operational life for high-value geostationary satellites.
💡The funding will also enable Aule to expand its engineering team, build ground infrastructure for docking trials, and advance demonstration satellites scheduled for launch next year to test rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking. T
Japan
Japanese space start-up Interstellar Technologies has raised 20.1 billion yen (AU$129.7 million) in a Series F funding round, one of the largest ever for a privately held space company in Japan. The round, led by Woven by Toyota, also included investments from SBI Group, Nomura Real Estate Development, B Dash Ventures, SMBC Edge, and existing shareholders. Combined with debt financing and secondary share transactions, the company’s total funding now stands at 44.6 billion yen (AU$287.7 million).
💡Interstellar is developing the Zero orbital rocket, selected for Phase 3 of Japan’s government-backed Small Business Innovation Research program, with seven satellites already confirmed for its first launch. The company is also advancing communications satellite R&D and building high-frequency manufacturing capabilities through a partnership with Toyota.
USA-South Korea
L3Harris Technologies has been awarded a contract by LIG Nex1 to provide the imaging payload for the Korea Meteorological Administration’s GEO-KOMPSAT-5 geostationary weather satellite. The 18-channel L3Harris Meteorological Imager includes enhanced water vapor measurement and higher resolution capabilities, aiming to improve the accuracy and timeliness of weather forecasts for the Korean Peninsula.
💡The contract continues L3Harris’ long-standing support for Korean weather satellites, following its work on GEO-KOMPSAT-2A and earlier meteorological missions. The company’s imaging technology is also used by global clients, including NOAA’s GeoXO system and Japan’s Himawari-10 satellite.
**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**