Japanese space technology companies have visited Space Park Leicester to assess potential partnerships with UK organisations. The delegation, made up of seven early-stage firms, travelled to the University of Leicester’s £100 million research and innovation hub as part of a wider push to build commercial links in Europe.
The visit formed part of the J-StarX SpaceTech Acceleration Programme, which aims to connect Japanese firms with businesses in the UK and France. Both markets remain central to Europe’s space sector due to their mix of commercial operators, academic institutions, and deep supply chains.
The companies represented a broad range of specialisms, including synthetic diamonds for advanced sensing, satellite-led land evaluation, microgravity research spacecraft, debris-mitigation devices, hybrid propulsion, high-performance insulation materials, and mission operations support. Each organisation is seeking routes into European programmes and opportunities for applied research and industry partnerships.
Vinay Patel, Head of Commercial and Innovation at Space Park Leicester, said: “This was a great opportunity for organisations here to develop international relationships with a variety of innovative Japanese space companies.
“One of our visitors acts as a one-stop shop for space operations, providing the tools, processes and training needed to ensure space missions are successful in the most demanding environments.
“Others are working on innovations that will support the sustainable growth of the space industry and technologies that are helping to drive the sector forward.
“It was great to see fantastic companies from the UK and Japan showcasing their work and discussing potential areas of collaboration for the future.”
Alongside formal meetings, the group toured Space Park Leicester’s laboratories and engineering facilities to understand the centre’s technical capability.
The J-StarX programme is delivered by Starburst and the Japan External Trade Organisation in partnership with Japan’s national space agency. It is designed to accelerate international market entry for Japanese companies and encourage cooperation in next-generation space technologies.
