Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration Program

The Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration Program is a series of Japanese spacecraft missions that gives universities and private companies flight opportunities to test high-risk, innovative technology and ideas in orbit. It is managed by the Research and Development Directorate of JAXA, which says the goal is to help the space industry become more competitive internationally. Its first mission, Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration-1, was launched on 18 January 2019 on an Epsilon rocket, the first multi-satellite launch of that vehicle, and carried the satellite RAPIS-1 together with six smaller satellites. Thirteen of the fourteen selected projects reached space. The third mission was lost in the failed Epsilon launch of 12 October 2022, after which all but one of its projects were offered a later flight, and further missions were selected after that.