SpaceX strengthens its position under Trump

Asia’s largest satellite operator, Japan’s SKY Perfect JSAT, sees the strengthening position of SpaceX under a possible second term of Donald Trump not as a challenge, but as an opportunity to expand cooperation. The company’s president Eiichi Yonekura said this during a quarter-end briefing.

Eiichi Yonekura during a quarter-end briefing.

Yonekura said SpaceX remains a key partner for JSAT, as its satellites are launched into orbit specifically by Ilon Musk’s rockets. The company recently announced $230-million investment in the Planet Pelican project, which will strengthen JSAT’s position in satellite imaging.

Why is SpaceX important to JSAT?”

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Yonekura emphasized that SpaceX’s momentum plays a positive role for his company rather than creating problems. The high reliance on Falcon 9 rockets makes the partnership with the US giant strategically important.

And that’s why SpaceX is important to JSAT.

That said, Trump’s possible return to the White House could further increase Musk’s influence. According to Reuters, the Trump administration may abolish the National Space Council after lobbying by SpaceX, which would likely open up new prospects for private space companies, including JSAT.

The Trump administration could abolish the National Space Council after lobbying by SpaceX, which would likely open up new prospects for private space companies, including JSAT.

JSAT is SpaceX’s largest customer in Asia

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The Japanese operator actively utilizes SpaceX’s launch services, including for the launch of the iQPS radar satellites, in which JSAT holds a stake.

«We are probably SpaceX’s largest Asian customer, and Planet Pelican satellites are almost always launched on Falcon 9»,” Yonekura noted.

“We are probably the largest Asian customer of SpaceX, and Planet Pelican satellites are almost always launched on Falcon 9»,” Yonekura said.

Now JSAT has 17 geostationary communications satellites in orbit, making it the leader in Asia. However, by 2027 the operator plans to establish a constellation of 10 low-orbit satellites Planet Pelican, expanding its satellite monitoring business.

At the same time, the operator is planning to build a group of 10 low-orbit satellites Planet Pelican, expanding its satellite monitoring business.

Ambitious plans: 6x revenue growth by 2030

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The company forecasts that by 2030 fiscal year its satellite data revenues will reach 23 billion yen ($151 million), a sixfold increase over current figures. The main customers are entities working in the national security field.

SpaceX has made a major change in the launch market by making it more affordable with the multi-mission Falcon 9 carrier. This has allowed thousands of satellites, including Starlink vehicles, to reach orbit.

SpaceX has made a major change in the launch market by making them more affordable with the Falcon 9 launch vehicle.

Alternatives: Mitsubishi and Arianespace

Despite its dependence on SpaceX, JSAT has alternatives. If the company loses access to Musk’s launches, it could partner with Europe’s Arianespace or Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The latter is developing the H3 rocket, which Yonekura says will become cost-competitive in the next four to five years.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.