IHI Corporation (“IHI”), the leading Japanese aerospace manufacturer developing a sovereign Earth-observation satellite constellation, is taking a further step toward building Japan-based industrial capability for sovereign Earth-observation, as its engineers and technicians start training with ICEYE ahead of the planned assembly and testing of two synthetic aperture radar (“SAR”) satellites in Japan.

International collaboration sits at the heart of IHI’s planned multi-sensor Earth-observation constellation, which aims to bring Japan and its allies closer together through shared data and industrial partnership. By working with trusted partners, IHI aims to strengthen Japan’s sovereign access to space-based intelligence while supporting closer security and industrial cooperation with like-minded countries.

This work forms part of IHI’s agreement with ICEYE, a Finnish global leader in space-based SAR intelligence, under which IHI is procuring four SAR satellites as the first stage of a planned constellation of up to 24 satellites.

Two of the four SAR satellites are scheduled to be assembled and tested at IHI facilities from around September 2026, ahead of the planned launch in the first quarter of 2027. To prepare for this work, IHI has dispatched engineers and technicians to ICEYE in Finland for a five-week training program covering the technical knowledge and practical skills required to assemble and test ICEYE SAR satellites in Japan.

The initiative marks an important shift from access to satellite data toward the domestic industrial capability needed to build and sustain sovereign Earth-observation infrastructure. By developing assembly and testing capability in Japan, IHI aims to strengthen Japan’s ability to secure essential space-based intelligence assets and prove high-quality intelligence to Japan, its allies, and like-minded nations.

SAR satellites can capture high-resolution imagery day and night, and through cloud cover, making them particularly valuable for maritime domain awareness, supply chain protection and defense operations.

With two of the four SAR satellites already operational in orbit and providing data to IHI since April 2026, the program is now entering its next phase. The assembly and testing of the remaining two satellites in Japan will advance IHI's ambition to build domestic industrial capability alongside sovereign access to space-based intelligence. IHI will continue to assess demand and develop use cases across security, public-sector and commercial applications as it works towards the full constellation.

IHI’s SAR satellites are the first layer of a broader multi-sensor Earth-observation constellation, which will integrate optical, RF, infrared, hyperspectral and VDES capabilities. By combining complementary sensors, IHI aims to support target detection and tracking across land and maritime domains, strengthening Japan’s national and economic security.

Atsushi Sato , Representative Director and Senior Executive Officer, and President of Aero-Engine, Space & Defense Business Area, IHI, commented: “Through our partnership with ICEYE, IHI is gaining the skills and practical experience needed to assemble and test SAR satellites in Japan. This is an important step toward building the domestic industrial foundations required for a sovereign Earth-observation constellation. By strengthening this capability in Japan, we aim to contribute to the security of Japan, its allies and like-minded nations.”

[ About IHI ]
IHI Corporation traces its origins to Japan’s first modern shipbuilding facility, established in 1853, and has since grown into one of the country’s leading manufacturers. It has expanded its business ever since, in recent years providing wide-ranging solutions in the four main areas of Resource, Energy and Environment; Social Infrastructure; Industrial Systems and General-purpose Machinery; and Aero Engine, Space and Defense. In the field of satellites, IHI AEROSPACE CO., LTD. provides propulsion systems and devices for space companies. IHI has also worked recently to solve its customers’ problems by engaging in business using satellite information and data.

[ About ICEYE ]
ICEYE is the world leader in sovereign intelligence from space. We deliver persistent monitoring capabilities to detect and respond to changes in any location on Earth.
ICEYE owns the world's largest and most advanced SAR (synthetic aperture radar) satellite constellation. To our customers we provide intelligence with unmatched quality, latency and revisit times, in any weather, day or night. To governments who choose to operate their own constellation we provide this proven capability as a sovereign system.
ICEYE-built constellations serve customers in defense and intelligence, environmental monitoring, insurance and emergency management. We enable fast decisions that contribute to a safer future.
Founded and headquartered in Finland, ICEYE operates globally with over 1,000 employees across Poland, Spain, the UK, Australia, Japan, the UAE, Greece, and the US.
We’re a growing international team of builders. www.iceye.com/joinus

Related Press Releases
22 May 2025 — IHI and ICEYE agree to cooperate to develop earth-observation satellite constellation
https://www.ihi.co.jp/en/all_news/2025/aeroengine_space_defense/1201450_13743.html

16 October 2025 — IHI Signs Satellite Procurement Contract with ICEYE for Earth Observation Constellation
https://www.ihi.co.jp/en/all_news/2025/aeroengine_space_defense/1201692_13743.html

28 May 2026 - IHI constellation plan gathers pace with initial data acquisition
First Two ICEYE-Developed SAR Satellites Now Operational, Marking the First Step in IHI’s Sovereign Earth-Observation Constellation
https://www.ihi.co.jp/en/all_news/2026/aeroengine_space_defense/1202053_13820.html

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