Additional Investment in Commercial Space Station Business and Acquisition of Experimental Module Usage Rights

TOKYO, Japan, Jan 13, 2026 –Mitsubishi Corporation (”MC”) is pleased to announce that it has made an additional investment in Starlab Space LLC (“Starlab”), a leading candidate for participation (*1) in the Commercial SpaceStation Program (*2). As part of this investment, MC has also acquired the usage rights to the experimental module associated with the Commercial Space Station.

Since 2008, the Japanese government has actively operated and utilized the Japanese Experiment Module Kibo aboard the International Space Station (“ISS”), continuously dispatching astronauts and fostering research and development across government agencies, private enterprises, and academic institutions. Kibo has played a pivotal role in advancing high-quality protein crystal generation experiments, contributing to the development of orphan drugs and biopharmaceuticals. It also enabled research into semiconductor materials that cannot be produced on Earth, establishing itself as a hub for technological innovation across diverse industries.

Meanwhile, the ISS is expected to retire in the 2030s due to aging equipment. To ensure that Japan’s government, industry, and academia can continue space-based activities, it is essential to secure access to a new commercial space station. This station is being developed by U.S. private companies, under NASA’s leadership as the successor to the ISS. Strengthening collaboration with these U.S.-based space companies, which are potential operators of the new station, is an urgent priority for Japan.

With this additional investment, MC will appoint a director to participate in the management of Starlab.

Furthermore, by acquiring usage rights for the space station experimental module from Starlab, MC will continue to advance the development and expansion of space station utilization across various industries, such as semiconductors and life sciences, which have been key focus areas for MC since its investment in Starlab in April 2024. The use of this module will accelerate space-based research and development by Japanese research institutions and private companies. This includes progress in cancer and rare disease treatment through drug discovery and nanomedicine, the development of new materials, next-generation semiconductor manufacturing in a low-gravity environment, and innovations such as space-based computing technologies.

Through additional investment in Starlab and the acquisition of usage rights for the space station experimental module, MC will contribute to the advancement of Japan’s manned space activities, as promoted by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Additionally, by leveraging MC’s experience in creating new businesses and building industrial interfaces, new opportunities will emerge for various industries to utilize the new Commercial Space Station, contributing to the development of Japan’s space industry and broader space development efforts. MC also aims to address social challenges on Earth through space-based research and business activities.

Source: Mitsubishi Corporation