iQPS

iQPS, formally the Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc., is a Japanese satellite developer and Earth-observation operator based in Fukuoka. Its company record dates its establishment to June 2005 and names Tetsuo Yasaka, Akira Sakurai and Kunihiro Funakoshi as founders. The company traces its technical roots to satellite development at Kyushu University; it is a commercial company rather than a university laboratory.

The business builds and operates QPS-SAR synthetic aperture radar satellites and supplies imagery. Radar observations can be acquired through cloud cover and at night, unlike ordinary optical imagery. The World Meteorological Organization’s OSCAR catalogue independently identifies iQPS as a Japanese operator and lists its radar satellite programme. As of November 2026, iQPS’s website targets 24 satellites by May 2028, with additional deployments through 2030; this is a deployment plan rather than an operational fleet count.

The company’s history includes losses as well as launches. Its QPS-SAR-3 and QPS-SAR-4 satellites were aboard Epsilon-6 when the Japanese rocket failed on October 12, 2022. JAXA documented the failure and commanded destruction after judging that the vehicle could not reach orbit. IHI’s account identifies the two iQPS payloads as AMATERU-I and AMATERU-II.

Rocket Lab subsequently became a dedicated launch provider for the constellation. Its Sea God Surveys mission delivered WADATSUMI-II on November 3, 2026, New Zealand time, in the tenth Electron launch for iQPS. The operator reported first ground contact after separation and then parabolic-antenna deployment. Its antenna notice still placed calibration before acquisition of the first Earth-observation data, so those initial checks do not establish completed imaging operations.

iQPS’s company record lists QPS Holdings Inc. as its sole shareholder and describes a transition to the holding-company structure in December 2025. It identifies Shunsuke Onishi as president and chief executive. The operating company’s satellite development and imagery activity should therefore be distinguished from the listed holding company when interpreting financial disclosures.

What they build and operate

• QPS-SAR · Constellation · Operational
  Small synthetic aperture radar satellites used to supply Earth-observation imagery in day, night and cloudy conditions.^[2][6][9]

Milestones

• June 2005
  Established in Fukuoka with roots in Kyushu University satellite development.^[1]
• December 2019
  Launched its small radar satellite IZANAGI from India.^[1]
• 12 October 2022
  Lost AMATERU-I and AMATERU-II aboard the failed Epsilon-6 launch.^[7][8]
• December 2023
  TSUKUYOMI-I launched on Electron’s The Moon God Awakens dedicated mission.^[1]
• December 2025
  Transitioned to a holding-company structure under QPS Holdings.^[1]
• 03 November 2026
  WADATSUMI-II reached orbit on Sea God Surveys; iQPS reported first contact and antenna deployment.^[5][3][4]

Leadership

• Shunsuke Onishi
  President and Representative Director CEO (as of 04 November 2026)^[1]

Sources

1. iQPSCompanyi-qps.net↗
2. iQPSEnglishi-qps.net↗
3. iQPSQPS-SAR-20 “WADATSUMI-II” was launched and made the first communication successfullyi-qps.net↗
4. iQPSSuccessful Antenna Deployment of QPS-SAR-20 ‘WADATSUMI-II’ Confirmedi-qps.net↗
5. Rocket LabThe Sea God Surveysrocketlabcorp.com↗
6. Space.comRocket Lab launches Japanese Earth-observing satellite on 99th mission to date (video)space.com↗
7. JAXAEstablishment of response headquarters following Epsilon-6 launch failurejaxa.jp↗
8. IHILaunch failure of Epsilon-6ihi.co.jp↗
9. World Meteorological OrganizationSpace Agency: iQPSspace.oscar.wmo.int↗