IHI Corporation (“IHI”), the leading Japanese aerospace manufacturer, has begun initial assembly, integration and testing (AIT) activities for two synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites at its newly established Pilot Lab in Tokyo in late October 2026, marking a significant milestone in the development of Japan’s domestic satellite manufacturing capabilities and IHI’s planned sovereign Earth-observation constellation.

The milestone builds on IHI’s partnership with ICEYE, a Finnish global leader in space-based SAR intelligence, and represents a further step towards IHI’s ambition to establish a sovereign Earth-observation constellation of up to 24 SAR satellites. Under the agreement, IHI is procuring four SAR satellites, two of which are already operational in orbit and have been providing data to IHI since April 2026. The remaining two are now undergoing initial assembly and testing activities in Japan ahead of their planned launch in the first quarter of CY2027

The work is taking place at a newly established Pilot Lab for satellite assembly and test at IHI’s Toyosu headquarters in Tokyo, which can accommodate AIT activities for two SAR satellites simultaneously. To prepare for the work, five IHI engineers and technicians completed a five-week training programme at ICEYE’s facilities in Finland, acquiring the technical expertise needed to carry out satellite assembly and testing activities in Japan and build IHI’s domestic industrial capabilities over time.

The start of domestic AIT activities marks an important step in IHI’s commitment to developing Japan’s sovereign satellite capabilities. By combining technical expertise from trusted international partners with growing domestic industrial capabilities, IHI aims to strengthen Japan’s ability to develop and sustain its own space-based intelligence infrastructure, while supporting closer security and industrial cooperation with allies and like-minded nations.

The new Pilot Lab will play an important role in IHI’s longer-term industrial ambitions. Building on the initial AIT activities and deepening its collaboration with ICEYE, IHI plans to expand its capabilities to undertake the full assembly and testing process domestically, while developing in-house technical expertise and supporting the certification of IHI engineers as trainers by ICEYE. The experience gained will also inform IHI’s future plans to establish a larger-scale SAR satellite manufacturing facility in Japan, supporting the development of a domestic satellite supply chain and strengthening the industrial foundations of Japan’s sovereign space capabilities.

The SAR satellites will form the first layer of IHI’s broader planned multi-sensor Earth-observation constellation, which is expected to integrate optical, radio frequency (RF), infrared, hyperspectral and VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) capabilities. By combining data from complementary sensors, IHI aims to enhance the detection and tracking of activity across land and maritime domains, supporting 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: “Beginning the assembly and testing of SAR satellites in Japan is an important milestone in our ambition to build a sovereign Earth-observation constellation. By strengthening these capabilities, we aim to contribute to the security and resilience of Japan, its allies and like-minded nations.”

Yasuhiro Tsukahara, CEO, ICEYE Japan commented: “ICEYE acknowledges the immense strides taken by IHI as they rapidly develop a world-class manufacturing capability in Japan, bringing the latest generation of ICEYE satellites to the domestic market in response to an urgent challenge facing Japan.”

[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 1,500 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

22 July 2026 - IHI advances domestic satellite assembly and testing capability in Japan
- Joint training program with ICEYE deepens international collaboration and supports transfer of know-how to Japan –
https://www.ihi.co.jp/en/all_news/2026/aeroengine_space_defense/1202145_13820.html

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