H3 rocket rideshare service
Space BD sells and integrates seats for small satellites on Japan's H3 rocket. Its first commercial rideshare flew on H3 Flight 6 on June 12, 2026, carrying four customer payloads.
Why it matters
Small-satellite builders mostly depend on SpaceX rideshares. A regular rideshare on H3 gives Japanese and Asian customers a second route to orbit from Japan, with export and logistics handled locally.
How the technology works
Space BD holds a 2019 agreement with JAXA to resell spare H3 capacity. It handles technical coordination for every payload, built an interface plate with CHUO Engineering so several satellites can share one port, and adapted ISISPACE's deployment sequencer for H3.
It also arranges dangerous-goods shipping for battery-carrying payloads.
Sources
Updated Oct 22, 2026 · How we source facts · Suggest a correction