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Toyota Partners With Japanese Space Startup Interstellar for Mass-Produced Rockets

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Toyota Expands Its Footprint in the Space Sector with Investment in Interstellar Technologies

In a significant move, Toyota’s research unit will be investing in Japanese startup Interstellar Technologies (IST) to support mass production of its rockets. This announcement comes as part of the world’s largest carmaker group’s expansion into the space sector.

A New Chapter for Toyota’s Space Exploration

The investment, worth approximately 7 billion yen ($44.4 million), is expected to be made by Woven by Toyota, a subsidiary that is working on building a futuristic city in Japan with autonomous driving technology. As part of this capital and business tie-up, Woven will appoint a director to IST’s board and support rocket production by strengthening supply chains and corporate governance.

Toyota’s Ambitious Plans for Space Exploration

This announcement follows Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda’s speech at the CES trade show in Las Vegas on Monday, where he gave updates on the company’s experimental Woven City project. The project was first announced in 2020 and aims to create a futuristic city with autonomous driving technology.

Breaking Down Barriers for Space Exploration

In his speech, Toyoda emphasized that the future of mobility shouldn’t be limited to just Earth or one car company. He also mentioned that Toyota is exploring rockets, which marks an exciting new chapter in the company’s space exploration endeavors.

Toyota’s Lunar Rover: A Key Player in the Artemis Programme

Apart from launchers, Toyota is working on a lunar rover with Japan’s space agency that can carry astronauts on the moon’s surface for the NASA-led Artemis programme. This ambitious project demonstrates Toyota’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of space exploration and its willingness to collaborate with other organizations.

The Rise of Commercial Space Companies

In recent years, there has been an accelerated commercialization of space, led by companies such as SpaceX founded by Elon Musk. The Japanese government is also actively supporting startups like IST and Space One with subsidies, aiming to make Japan Asia’s space hub by the early 2030s.

IST: Pioneers in Japanese Space Industry

Hokkaido-based IST made history in 2019 when it became the first Japanese company to send a commercially developed rocket into space. However, its orbital launcher, Zero, remains under development. In contrast, its rival Space One attempted a second flight of its orbital rocket Kairos last month but unfortunately experienced a launch failure.

A Bright Future for Japan’s Space Industry

The Japanese government is committed to supporting startups like IST and Space One with subsidies worth 8 trillion yen. The ultimate goal is to make Japan Asia’s space hub, launching 30 rockets annually by the early 2030s. This ambitious plan has sparked excitement among industry experts and entrepreneurs alike.

A New Era for Toyota in the Space Sector

The investment announced on Tuesday marks a significant milestone in Toyota’s expansion into the space sector. As the company continues to push the boundaries of innovation, it is likely that we will see more exciting developments in this area in the years to come.

Investment Figures and Timeline

  • The investment worth approximately 7 billion yen ($44.4 million) will be made by Woven by Toyota, a subsidiary working on building a futuristic city with autonomous driving technology.
  • The Series F funding is expected to close soon, marking a significant milestone in IST’s growth.

Toyota’s Commitment to Innovation

This investment demonstrates Toyota’s commitment to innovation and its willingness to explore new frontiers. As the company continues to push the boundaries of what is possible, it will be exciting to see the impact that this partnership with IST will have on the space industry as a whole.

Conclusion

The announcement by Toyota to invest in Interstellar Technologies marks an important step forward for the world’s largest carmaker group. As it expands its footprint in the space sector, we can expect to see more innovative and ambitious projects from Toyota in the years to come. With this investment, IST is poised to make a significant impact on Japan’s space industry, driving growth and innovation. The future of space exploration looks bright indeed.