BULL and Fujitsu Sign Basic Agreement to Develop Japan's Unique High-Precision Space Situational Awareness Service

In recent years, the rapid expansion of satellite constellations, enabled by the decreasing cost and miniaturization of artificial satellites, has facilitated continuous and high-frequency Earth observation possible by launching multiple satellites into the same orbit. This trend, however, has concurrently escalated the serious risk of collisions between objects, including space debris, due to the increasing congestion of orbital environments. Consequently, establishing high-precision SSA and the subsequent implementation of STM has become an urgent imperative, particularly for national security.

BULL is dedicated to developing “HORN,” a Post Mission Disposal (PMD) device designed to be deployed to prevent rockets and artificial satellites from becoming space debris when deployed. The company also develops technology for acquiring data from rockets, artificial satellites, and their surroundings, thereby promoting practical contributions to space sustainability. Fujitsu, since the 1960s, has been actively involved in the research and development, and social implementation of large-scale data processing platforms and high-precision orbital analysis technologies for space debris and other orbital phenomena. This collaboration between BULL and Fujitsu was initiated through Fujitsu Accelerator, Fujitsu's partner co-creation program aimed at fostering innovation.

Both companies will jointly explore a comprehensive service and business model for Japan’s unique private-sector SSA service, encompassing the entire process from artificial satellite orbital data acquisition to operational support. Specifically, BULL will focus on building models for high-precision orbital analysis leveraging data obtained from HORN, while Fujitsu will explore the development of a platform for orbital and conjunction analysis compatible with HORN.

Through the development of these services, both BULL and Fujitsu aim to realize effective Space Traffic Management and thereby contribute to the development of safe, secure, and sustainable space activities.