IHI Corporation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kuva Space, a Finnish space-technology company developing hyperspectral Earth-observation satellites and AI-powered intelligence solutions, to explore the development and use of hyperspectral satellite capabilities as part of IHI’s planned multi-sensor constellation. The collaboration will support IHI’s ambition to strengthen Japan’s sovereign Earth-observation and intelligence capabilities, while creating opportunities for dual-use applications across national security, economic security, resilience and civil use cases.
A signing ceremony for the MoU was held on July 17, 2026 at Kuva Space. Kuva Space is a Finland-based leader in hyperspectral satellite technology developing satellites and AI-powered analytics designed to turn spectral data into actionable intelligence. Following the launch of its first satellite, “Hyperfield-1A” in 2024, and its second satellite “Hyperfield-1B”, the company plans to start launching its next-generation hyperspectral satellites “Hyperfield-2” in 2027. Hyperspectral satellites capture data across a wide range of spectral bands, enabling users to detect and analyze materials, vegetation health, environmental conditions and other characteristics that may not be visible through conventional optical imagery. This makes hyperspectral data relevant first to national and economic security, while also supporting civil and commercial applications such as agriculture and food security, marine monitoring, forest management and carbon credits.
Also Read: How AI-Driven Imagery Technology is Revolutionizing Satellite Network Operations?
Since last year, IHI has been conducting trials and verification of Kuva Space’s hyperspectral satellite data and AI-powered analysis methods. Under this MoU, IHI and Kuva Space will assess priority use cases, define data and system requirements for a future hyperspectral satellite constellation, and explore the optimal business structure for developing hyperspectral satellite capabilities in Japan, including domestic satellite manufacturing. The MoU also reflects the deepening Japan-Finland relationship in security, economic security and advanced technologies, including space and satellite data. In the 2025 Joint Statement on Strengthening Cooperation in the Future, Japan and Finland recognized the increasingly challenging international security environment and the inseparable nature of European/Atlantic and Indo-Pacific security. In February 2026, the two governments also signed a Joint Statement on Strengthening Cooperation in Dual-Use and Advanced Technology Fields, including space and satellite data.
IHI’s partnership with ICEYE has already transformed its satellite constellation ambitions into operational capability, with SAR data acquisition underway since April 2026. The newly signed MoU with Kuva Space marks the next phase of that strategy, broadening IHI’s capabilities from all-weather SAR imaging to multi-sensor intelligence. In parallel, IHI is preparing to assemble and test two additional ICEYE SAR satellites in Japan from around September 2026, further strengthening its domestic space capabilities in collaboration with ICEYE. In November 2025, IHI launched the small hyperspectral satellite IHI-SAT2 and is working to improve its hyperspectral satellite image analysis and satellite operation capabilities. The collaboration with Kuva Space will further accelerate its efforts in hyperspectral satellite development and data exploitation.
Also Read: What is Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Satellite Imagery?
IHI’s planned constellation envisions the future integration of multiple satellite types, including optical satellites, VDES (Next Generation Automatic Identification System), radio frequency infrared, hyperspectral and SAR satellites. By combining complementary sensor types, IHI aims to provide more persistent and resilient intelligence for Japan, including target detection and tracking required for land and maritime operations, while supporting deeper cooperation with allies and like-minded nations through the mutual sharing of satellite data and imaging capacity.
Atsushi Sato, Representative Director and Senior Executive Officer, and President of Aero-Engine, Space & Defense Business Area, IHI, comments: “A secure and resilient space capability is increasingly important for Japan’s national security. Hyperspectral satellite data can provide insights that conventional imagery cannot, supporting both security and wider dual-use applications. This MoU with Kuva Space is an important step in strengthening Japan’s access to hyperspectral intelligence through cooperation with a trusted partner.”
Jarkko Antila, CEO of Kuva Space, comments: “Kuva Space is building hyperspectral satellite and analytics capabilities designed to turn spectral data into actionable intelligence. By working with IHI, we can help bring this capability into Japan’s emerging sovereign Earth-observation architecture and support the pathway from demonstration to operational hyperspectral intelligence”.
