The space business idea contest "S - Booster 2017" with a prize of 3 million yen started soon, infiltrating the briefing session for the prospective applicants

From 9 am on June 16, 2017, an idea contest to change the material "space" to business "S-Booster 2017(Es Booster 2017) "recruitment will start. On June 15 th (Thursday), a briefing session for people and companies considering application was held in Osaka City, so we interviewed the situation.

S-Booster 2017
https://s-booster.jp/

The Space Business Idea Contest "S-Booster 2017" is a contest in which the Cabinet Office, JAXA (Aerospace Exploration Agency), ANA Holdings, Mitsui Bussan, Obayashi Corporation, and SKY Perfect JSAT become the executive committee. As space development is becoming more private as a global trend, in this contest, we will discover ideas to change "assets" to space as business, and through discussions with experts as well as experts and support through various support By doing so, it is an event to expand the footprint of the space industry in the future.


A prize of 3 million yen (funds aid) will be done when selected as a grand prize, and 1 million yen will be awarded as a sponsor award from each company. Furthermore, for excellent ideas, it is supposed to be supported for actual commercialization.


First of all, there was an explanation from Mr. Yoshihisa Arikawa, engineer who actually worked on JAXA's development of artificial satellite for ten years because "S-Booster 2017 is what it is?"


Japan's space development is proceeding with the Cabinet Office's Space Development Strategy Promotion Secretariat as the core, and JAXA is a National Research and Development Corporation jointly under the jurisdiction of the Cabinet Office, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.


In December 2016, the policy is shown in the meeting of the Space Development Strategy Headquarters established in the Cabinet, and among them, the item "creation / expansion of private space business" is included.


In the space development so far, it was a vertically divided structure that "existing large space companies" under "country" followed by "related subsidiary" under many layers, but in the future university And the company, etc., it is a policy to change the organization structure which was "△" to "◯".


S-Booster 2017 is about to start in such a situation. Entry theme is OK if anything using space, does not exist, even if it includes future technologies that will be developed in the future OK. Applications will be accepted from June 16th to July 18th, and at the end of July the first selection by the executive committee will be conducted to narrow down to about 15 pairs. Mentoring (expert advice etc.) will be held from August to September for the finalists left in the selection, and on 30th October the final selection will be held at "Nikofare" in Tokyo / Roppongi.


There are 18 people and organizations from industry, academia, and officials in the mentor, and it is said that brushing up will be done to increase the feasibility from various angles. During the mentoring period, a camp will be held targeting finalists as well.

S-Booster 2017


So what exactly, "how can any thing with the space technology, of whether the can" for, there was a description from Satoshi Matsumoto of JAXA.


Regarding space transportation using rockets, companies such as "Interstellar Technologies" which Mr. Horie Takafumi invested in, and "PD Aerospace" which ANA and HIS have invested in are promoting development in Japan .


Also, overseas, "SpaceX" by Ellon Mask, "Blue Origin" launched by CEO Jeff Bezos, "VULCAN Aerospace" by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, Virgin Governor President Sir Richard Branson 's name "Virgin Galactic" and other circumstances are scarifying.


It is also one of the aims of space technology to explore the unknown world. In Japan, "HAKUTO" is making efforts towards victory at the contest "Google Lunar X PRIZE" which makes robot move quickly to the moon and succeeds the given mission.


Also, "Bigelow" which develops an inflatable space station module bulging like a balloon ... ...


Companies such as 'Umitron', which revolutionizes the fishery industry by monitoring the state of the ocean from outer space, is working on technology development using space.


Moreover, by utilizing the microgravity space of the universe, it can be used for drug discovery by creating crystals of protein of a structure impossible on the ground ...


And of course, resource development and "unknown encounters" are also aims of space development.


In addition, it is also possible to grasp the weather and the state of the ocean by using a variety of sensors from the outer space to overlook the earth, and to use it for people's lives and science.



By monitoring the seawater temperature, we provide useful information for fishing ......


There is a way of being used that everyone is familiar, providing typhoon information and making it useful for safety.


Also, by comparing topographical data, you can catch signs of volcanic eruption ...


In the strange place, there is also a technology to extract the penguin population by observing the distribution and density of the penguin 'Hun' from outer space.


Moreover, it seems that there is also a record that observing the ancient ruins from outer space revealed the existence of an undiscovered ruin which existed theoretically.


Of course, things taken from artificial satellites are also used for the photo data of Google Maps used by many people.


In addition, positioning system using GPS and Japanese version "Michibiki" is indispensable for modern people's life.


And, what a GPS technology, technology to detect the occurrence of the tsunami is also born. This seems to capture the occurrence of the earthquake and tsunami by capturing the disturbance of the ionosphere caused by the occurrence of the earthquake through the GPS signal.


Communication infrastructure using artificial satellites is one of indispensable technologies for modern society.


All of these are technologies and services that have been born out of space development. And Japan is supposed to focus on the creation of new space business by nation.


Listen enthusiastically, the state of everyone who participated in the briefing session.


Finally, on JAXA's collaboration, Mr. Tani Miyuki of JAXA gave an explanation. Although JAXA 's collaboration is not essential in applying for this contest, there are several things that will actually be made available.


As mentioned earlier, S-Booster 2017 participates as a mentor in various fields and can receive advice from the viewpoint of industry, academia and government.


In addition, it is possible to utilize JAXA's facilities and know-how that we have cultivated so far.


The very important thing in space development is monitoring whether the launched artifacts are operating as expected, as expected. JAXA can also provide technology and know-how about this.


In addition, by opening a store jointly at overseas exhibitions etc., we can enhance our presence.


◆ To join S-Booster 2017
In applying for your own idea, firstS-Booster 2017Access to the site.


Then download the prescribed project proposal format from the site, create the document and upload the project proposal from the application form OK.


The entry period is from 9 am on June 16, 2017 (Friday), until 5 pm on Tuesday, July 18 (Tue). Primary selection by the executive committee will be held in private at the end of July.


The mentor will perform mentoring for the finalists who passed the primary review. Three months are planned from August to October, and a camp is scheduled to be held early in August and late September.


And at the final selection meeting to be held on October 30 (Monday) at "Roppongi" in Nikofare, the award is scheduled to be decided.


The briefing ended like this and entered the business card exchange party. Among the participants of about 30 people, including founders of startups and other active students, it seems that they were listening to the explanation with various thoughts. What kind of idea is going to pop out is where the contest's place is concerned.


On the official site of S - Booster 2017, it is said that new information will be released at noon at the start date of entry. The trends surrounding the space business, the possibilities as a business opportunity, and furthermore, for example on the theme of "space x IT", an event such as a leading guru of space development of Japan and a famous business person talks are scheduled It seems to be, so if you are interested please do not forget to check here as well.

S-Booster 2017
https://s-booster.jp/