DENVER (Apr 8, 2025) – Ursa Major and Sirius Technologies, the United States subsidiary of Tokyo-based Innovative Space Carrier (ISC), reached a significant milestone today by entering into an agreement for the procurement of ten Ursa Major Hadley, small launch, engines and collaboration on the development of a medium-launch engine scaled from Ursa Major’s Arroway model.
The agreement follows the approval of a technical assistance agreement by the United States Department of State, permitting the export of certain technical data related to the Hadley engine - purchased by ISC and delivered to Sirius Technologies in March 2024 – a landmark approval between American and Japanese space technology companies that is among the very first of its kind in over a generation.
“The partnership ISC/Sirius and Ursa Major have forged is a truly special and powerful collaboration between two young, but incredibly agile and innovative companies working together to further safe, cost- effective access to space,” said Ursa Major CEO Dan Jablonsky. “Our teams in Berthoud, Colorado and our advanced manufacturing center of excellence in Youngstown, Ohio are proud to deliver our signature Hadley engines to our ISC/Sirius partner as well as advance the development of medium-launch propulsion technology.”
ISC/Sirius selected Ursa Major as a key enabler to rapidly provide affordable solutions for the development and testing of their ASCA reusable space vehicle in the United States with an expected test launch later in 2025 The proposed development of a medium-launch engine – scaled from Ursa Major’s Arroway model – will take place through 2028. During the subsequent phases of development, ISC/Sirius and Ursa Major will incorporate manufacturing improvements, leading toward additional testing activities.
“We’re pleased to announce this milestone agreement with our partner, Ursa Major, as a result of the deepened technical collaboration over the past year since signing a partnership agreement in Japan last April,” said Kojiro Hatada, CEO of Innovative Space Carrier and Kei Shimada, CEO of Sirius Technologies, Inc. “This aligns with the commitment made during the U.S.-Japan summit in February between the two governments to strengthen cooperation in the commercial space sector. We truly believe that advancing concrete collaboration between private companies like ours will deepen the U.S.-Japan relationship further. Moving forward, we will work closely with Ursa Major to achieve our goal of conducting a flight test of ASCA 1.0 in the U.S. later this year.”
About Innovative Space Carrier Inc.
Innovative Space Carrier Inc. (ISC), founded in 2022 and based in Tokyo, Japan, is a forward-thinking space start-up with the mission of making space accessible to everyone by 2040. Initially focusing on the development of a small rocket for Low Earth Orbit (LEO), ISC's ultimate goal is to create a Single-Stage- to-Orbit (SSTO) vehicle capable of transporting people and cargo to space, or enabling point-to-point travel anywhere on Earth in under 90 minutes.
About Sirius Technologies, Inc.
Sirius Technologies, Inc., based in Boulder, Colorado, was founded in March 2024 as the U.S. technology and development arm of ISC. The company oversees the development, integration, and test launches of the ASCA reusable rocket series, manufactured in Japan, while also promoting the importance of U.S.-Japan collaboration in the space industry.
About Ursa Major
Ursa Major is an aerospace and defense company, providing products and solutions for hypersonic, tactical missile, and space mobility systems. The company applies state-of-the-art digital and additive manufacturing techniques to rapidly produce the most advanced, cost-effective solutions. Ursa Major has category-leading hypersonic, on-orbit, and solid rocket motor propulsion capabilities. Ursa Major’s customers range from commercial space technology providers to enterprise-level aerospace and defense leaders as well as the U.S. government. The company employs the most sought-after engineers from top aerospace programs and universities, united in the core values of disruptive innovation, flying faster, and providing reliable and cost-effective systems. Headquartered in Berthoud, Colorado, with additive manufacturing facilities in Youngstown, Ohio, Ursa Major was named one of the best places to work by Built in Colorado three years in a row.
For questions or to schedule an interview, please contact: media@ursamajor.com
