TORRANCE, Calif. – (Jan 27, 2025) — GITAI USA Inc. (GITAI), the world’s leading space robotics startup, is excited to announce the successful launch and full mission success of its in-house developed 16U-sized satellite. The satellite was launched into low Earth orbit aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 at 3:34 AM (PST) on December 21, 2024. The mission achieved “Full Success” by meeting all three predefined success criteria for the satellite’s technical verification.
Revolutionizing Space Operations: GITAI’s Mission
To achieve its goal of reducing the cost of space operations by 100 times, GITAI is developing cutting-edge technologies, including robotic satellites for on-orbit services, lunar robotic rovers for infrastructure construction, and inchworm-type robotic arms capable of operating in both domains. All of these technologies are developed entirely in-house.
Since its inception, GITAI has established a robust system for the in-house production of space-grade robotic systems. This includes the development of a robotic arm that achieved full mission success during demonstrations inside the ISS in 2021 and outside the ISS in 2024.
In January 2024, GITAI expanded its focus to include the in-house development of satellite technology, including major components, to enable comprehensive on-orbit services. As part of this effort, the company developed and successfully launched its first satellite demonstration, the 16U-sized SC1, at 3:34 AM (PST) on December 21, 2024, via SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rideshare mission (Bandwagon 2).
Mission Accomplishment: Full Success
The satellite demonstration achieved “Full Success” by meeting all three of the following success criteria:
1. Reliable Communication: Establishing reliable communication between the GITAI satellite and the Mission Control Center at GITAI’s Torrance, California office.
2. System Functionality: Confirming the proper functionality of all onboard sensors, actuators, and computers, including attitude control via reaction wheels and orbital maneuvers using propulsion systems.
3. Data Acquisition: Successfully capturing and transmitting image and video data from the satellite.
Key Outcomes of the Demonstration
Through the successful development and demonstration of the 16U satellite, GITAI has acquired the following key capabilities:
1. Capability to Develop Robotic Satellites for On-Orbit Services
With the success of this satellite demonstration, combined with the 2024 robotic arm demonstration outside the ISS, GITAI has proven its ability to develop satellites equipped with robotic arms for on-orbit services. This milestone positions GITAI to provide cost-effective and efficient on-orbit services to U.S. government agencies and private sector clients.
Looking ahead, GITAI plans to demonstrate rendezvous and docking capabilities in its upcoming Space Demonstration Experiment (S3) in 2026. This mission will involve a 500kg-class satellite equipped with a robotic arm and a target satellite, further validating GITAI’s on-orbit service capabilities.
2. Capability to Develop and Sell Space-Qualified Satellite Bus Components (TRL-9)
The successful demonstration of the SC1 satellite has validated GITAI’s ability to develop and produce space-qualified (TRL-9) satellite bus components in-house. These components will not only support GITAI’s on-orbit service missions but also be offered to customers for low Earth orbit constellation applications. Although some components of the SC1 satellite were procured externally, GITAI is actively developing high-cost, long-lead-time components in-house, including electric and chemical propulsion systems, reaction wheels, magnetorquers, and star trackers. By completing this development by 2025, GITAI aims to further reduce costs, shorten lead times, and enhance profit margins.
3. Capability to Act as a Prime Contractor for Independent Spacecraft
This demonstration establishes GITAI as a prime contractor with end-to-end capabilities, including the design and in-house development of spacecraft, launch coordination, payload delivery, and spacecraft operations from its control center. With these capabilities, GITAI is poised to secure contracts from U.S. government agencies and accelerate its role as a leader in the space robotics industry.
Commitment to the Future
GITAI remains committed to its mission of reducing the cost of space operations by 100 times through continued advancements in in-house development and its efforts to deliver on-orbit services and lunar infrastructure construction solutions.
For more information about this groundbreaking project and our future plans for lunar exploration, please visit gitai.tech.
About GITAI GITAI aims to reduce the cost of labor in space by 100 times, thereby providing a safe and affordable means of work in space. GITAI operates in two business areas: on-orbit services and lunar infrastructure construction. For more on GITAI’s products, services, and upcoming missions, visit gitai.tech.
Media Contact Company: GITAI USA Inc. (Headquarters) / GITAI Japan, Inc. (Japan Subsidiary) CEO: Sho Nakanose URL: https://gitai.tech/ Contact Us: info@gitai.tech
https://gitai.tech/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/01_SC1_photo_session-scaled.jpg17102560gitaitechhttps://gitai.tech/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/gitai-logo.svggitaitech2025-01-27 23:01:322025-05-06 15:12:03GITAI Successfully Completes Space Demonstration of In-House Developed 16U Satellite
TORRANCE, Calif. – (Nov 13, 2024) — GITAI USA Inc. (GITAI), the world’s leading space robotics startup, is pleased to announce that GITAI has raised an additional US$15.5M as part of its Series B Extension round in October 2024. This follows US$30M raised in May 2023 and US$15M raised in August 2023, bringing the total in the Series B Extension round to US$60.5M.
The lead investor in this round is Maezawa Fund Inc., a venture capital fund established and operated by Japanese billionaire entrepreneur and commercial astronaut Yusaku Maezawa.
Yusaku Maezawa commented, “GITAI’s monumental challenge to reduce space development costs by 1/100 holds vast potential to expand the boundaries of our future. Achieving this will bring space closer to our daily lives and business, transforming it into a more accessible domain. We are genuinely excited to support GITAI in pioneering this new frontier.”
To reduce the cost of space operations by 100 times, GITAI is developing robotic satellites for on-orbit services, lunar robotic rovers for infrastructure construction, and inchworm-type robotic arms that can be used in both areas. All of these technologies are being developed in-house.
With this additional funding, GITAI aims to further advance on-orbit services and lunar infrastructure construction in the U.S. space and defense market and will continue to pursue reducing the cost of space operations by 1/100th of the current cost.
List of Investors in this Funding Round:
Existing Investors:
MSIVC 2023V Venture Capital Investment Limited Partnership (Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Venture Capital Co., Ltd.)
Mitsubishi UFJ Capital Ⅸ, Limited Partnership (Mitsubishi UFJ Capital Co., Ltd.)
Green Co-Invest Investment Limited Partnership
New Investors:
Maezawa Fund Inc. (Venture capital fund of Japanese billionaire entrepreneur and commercial astronaut Yusaku Maezawa)
GITAI aims to reduce the cost of labor in space by 100 times, thereby providing a safe and affordable means of work in space. GITAI operates in two business areas: on-orbit services and lunar infrastructure construction. For more on GITAI’s products, services, and upcoming missions, visit gitai.tech.
Media Contact
Company: GITAI USA Inc. (Headquarters) / GITAI Japan, Inc. (Japan Subsidiary) CEO: Sho Nakanose URL: https://gitai.tech/ Contact Us: info@gitai.tech
https://gitai.tech/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/01_S2robot_small.jpg10051280gitaitechhttps://gitai.tech/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/gitai-logo.svggitaitech2024-11-13 22:59:182025-05-06 15:12:03GITAI Raises an Additional US$15.5 Million in Funding
TORRANCE, Calif. – (Oct 23, 2024) — GITAI USA Inc. (GITAI), the world’s leading space robotics startup, is pleased to announce that GITAI’s Inchworm-type Robot Arm has successfully passed all tests and achieved Technology Readiness Level 6 (TRL6) following an integrated test conducted in a thermal vacuum chamber simulating the lunar South Pole environment.
To reduce the cost of space operations by 100 times, GITAI is developing robotic satellites for on-orbit services, lunar robotic rovers for infrastructure construction, and inchworm-type robotic arms that can be used in both areas. All of these technologies are being developed in-house.
As the final stage of our lunar environment testing, we conducted an integrated test of the GITAI Inchworm-type Robot Arm in a thermal vacuum chamber simulating the lunar South Pole.
During the test, the GITAI Inchworm-type Robot Arm operated continuously, simulating extreme temperature variations from the intense cold of permanently shadowed regions to the warmer temperatures experienced during lunar daytime.
Power was primarily supplied by four wireless power transmission systems installed around the chamber. At the lowest temperatures, the environment reached -140℃, and the vacuum level was less than 1E-5 Torr. We also tested the robot’s ability to operate solely on battery power in the event of a power failure.
Even under these extreme conditions, the GITAI Inchworm-type Robot Arm successfully performed continuous inchworm-type locomotion for 29 hours, covering a distance of approximately one mile (1,503 steps).
Additionally, we conducted an experiment simulating the docking of a target satellite for on-orbit servicing. The robot arm successfully attached a dedicated end effector using its tool changer function and captured the target satellite’s separation ring.
Through these integrated tests in the thermal vacuum chamber simulating the lunar South Pole, the GITAI Inchworm-type Robot Arm has now reached TRL6.
GITAI will continue to improve the TRL of its products, aiming to carry out a variety of tasks through the provision of on-orbit services and lunar infrastructure construction, with the ultimate goal of reducing the cost of space operations by 100 times.
For more information about this groundbreaking project and our future plans for lunar exploration, please visit gitai.tech.
GITAI aims to reduce the cost of labor in space by 100 times, thereby providing a safe and affordable means of work in space. GITAI operates in two business areas: on-orbit services and lunar infrastructure construction. For more on GITAI’s products, services, and upcoming missions, visit gitai.tech.
Media Contact
Company: GITAI USA Inc. (Headquarters) / GITAI Japan, Inc. (Japan Subsidiary) CEO: Sho Nakanose URL: https://gitai.tech/ Email: info@gitai.tech
https://gitai.tech/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/GITAI_robot_13.jpg10801920gitaitechhttps://gitai.tech/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/gitai-logo.svggitaitech2024-10-23 22:02:402025-05-06 15:12:03GITAI’s Inchworm-Type Robotic Arm Achieves TRL6 in a Thermal Vacuum Chamber Test Simulating the Lunar South Pole Environment
GITAI Successfully Completes Space Demonstration of In-House Developed 16U Satellite
NEWSTORRANCE, Calif. – (Jan 27, 2025) — GITAI USA Inc. (GITAI), the world’s leading space robotics startup, is excited to announce the successful launch and full mission success of its in-house developed 16U-sized satellite. The satellite was launched into low Earth orbit aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 at 3:34 AM (PST) on December 21, 2024. The mission achieved “Full Success” by meeting all three predefined success criteria for the satellite’s technical verification.
Revolutionizing Space Operations: GITAI’s Mission
To achieve its goal of reducing the cost of space operations by 100 times, GITAI is developing cutting-edge technologies, including robotic satellites for on-orbit services, lunar robotic rovers for infrastructure construction, and inchworm-type robotic arms capable of operating in both domains. All of these technologies are developed entirely in-house.
Since its inception, GITAI has established a robust system for the in-house production of space-grade robotic systems. This includes the development of a robotic arm that achieved full mission success during demonstrations inside the ISS in 2021 and outside the ISS in 2024.
In January 2024, GITAI expanded its focus to include the in-house development of satellite technology, including major components, to enable comprehensive on-orbit services. As part of this effort, the company developed and successfully launched its first satellite demonstration, the 16U-sized SC1, at 3:34 AM (PST) on December 21, 2024, via SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rideshare mission (Bandwagon 2).
Mission Accomplishment: Full Success
The satellite demonstration achieved “Full Success” by meeting all three of the following success criteria:
1. Reliable Communication: Establishing reliable communication between the GITAI satellite and the Mission Control Center at GITAI’s Torrance, California office.
2. System Functionality: Confirming the proper functionality of all onboard sensors, actuators, and computers, including attitude control via reaction wheels and orbital maneuvers using propulsion systems.
3. Data Acquisition: Successfully capturing and transmitting image and video data from the satellite.
Key Outcomes of the Demonstration
Through the successful development and demonstration of the 16U satellite, GITAI has acquired the following key capabilities:
1. Capability to Develop Robotic Satellites for On-Orbit Services
With the success of this satellite demonstration, combined with the 2024 robotic arm demonstration outside the ISS, GITAI has proven its ability to develop satellites equipped with robotic arms for on-orbit services. This milestone positions GITAI to provide cost-effective and efficient on-orbit services to U.S. government agencies and private sector clients.
Looking ahead, GITAI plans to demonstrate rendezvous and docking capabilities in its upcoming Space Demonstration Experiment (S3) in 2026. This mission will involve a 500kg-class satellite equipped with a robotic arm and a target satellite, further validating GITAI’s on-orbit service capabilities.
2. Capability to Develop and Sell Space-Qualified Satellite Bus Components (TRL-9)
The successful demonstration of the SC1 satellite has validated GITAI’s ability to develop and produce space-qualified (TRL-9) satellite bus components in-house. These components will not only support GITAI’s on-orbit service missions but also be offered to customers for low Earth orbit constellation applications. Although some components of the SC1 satellite were procured externally, GITAI is actively developing high-cost, long-lead-time components in-house, including electric and chemical propulsion systems, reaction wheels, magnetorquers, and star trackers. By completing this development by 2025, GITAI aims to further reduce costs, shorten lead times, and enhance profit margins.
3. Capability to Act as a Prime Contractor for Independent Spacecraft
This demonstration establishes GITAI as a prime contractor with end-to-end capabilities, including the design and in-house development of spacecraft, launch coordination, payload delivery, and spacecraft operations from its control center. With these capabilities, GITAI is poised to secure contracts from U.S. government agencies and accelerate its role as a leader in the space robotics industry.
Commitment to the Future
GITAI remains committed to its mission of reducing the cost of space operations by 100 times through continued advancements in in-house development and its efforts to deliver on-orbit services and lunar infrastructure construction solutions.
For more information about this groundbreaking project and our future plans for lunar exploration, please visit gitai.tech.
< Press Kit >
About GITAI
GITAI aims to reduce the cost of labor in space by 100 times, thereby providing a safe and affordable means of work in space. GITAI operates in two business areas: on-orbit services and lunar infrastructure construction. For more on GITAI’s products, services, and upcoming missions, visit gitai.tech.
Media Contact
Company: GITAI USA Inc. (Headquarters) / GITAI Japan, Inc. (Japan Subsidiary)
CEO: Sho Nakanose
URL: https://gitai.tech/
Contact Us: info@gitai.tech
GITAI Raises an Additional US$15.5 Million in Funding
NEWSTORRANCE, Calif. – (Nov 13, 2024) — GITAI USA Inc. (GITAI), the world’s leading space robotics startup, is pleased to announce that GITAI has raised an additional US$15.5M as part of its Series B Extension round in October 2024. This follows US$30M raised in May 2023 and US$15M raised in August 2023, bringing the total in the Series B Extension round to US$60.5M.
The lead investor in this round is Maezawa Fund Inc., a venture capital fund established and operated by Japanese billionaire entrepreneur and commercial astronaut Yusaku Maezawa.
Yusaku Maezawa commented, “GITAI’s monumental challenge to reduce space development costs by 1/100 holds vast potential to expand the boundaries of our future. Achieving this will bring space closer to our daily lives and business, transforming it into a more accessible domain. We are genuinely excited to support GITAI in pioneering this new frontier.”
To reduce the cost of space operations by 100 times, GITAI is developing robotic satellites for on-orbit services, lunar robotic rovers for infrastructure construction, and inchworm-type robotic arms that can be used in both areas. All of these technologies are being developed in-house.
In late 2023, GITAI relocated its headquarters from Japan to the United States, with all non-U.S. national management team members obtaining permanent resident status, officially establishing GITAI as a U.S.-based company. Since then, we have expanded our space robotics business and production capabilities in the U.S. space and defense market, achieving key milestones such as selection for NASA SBIR, orders from DARPA, a successful technology demonstration outside the ISS, AS9100 and NIST SP800-171 certifications, and the expansion of our headquarters and production facilities.
With this additional funding, GITAI aims to further advance on-orbit services and lunar infrastructure construction in the U.S. space and defense market and will continue to pursue reducing the cost of space operations by 1/100th of the current cost.
List of Investors in this Funding Round:
Existing Investors:
New Investors:
For more information about this groundbreaking project and our future plans for lunar exploration, please visit gitai.tech.
< Press Kit >
About GITAI
GITAI aims to reduce the cost of labor in space by 100 times, thereby providing a safe and affordable means of work in space. GITAI operates in two business areas: on-orbit services and lunar infrastructure construction. For more on GITAI’s products, services, and upcoming missions, visit gitai.tech.
Media Contact
Company: GITAI USA Inc. (Headquarters) / GITAI Japan, Inc. (Japan Subsidiary)
CEO: Sho Nakanose
URL: https://gitai.tech/
Contact Us: info@gitai.tech
GITAI’s Inchworm-Type Robotic Arm Achieves TRL6 in a Thermal Vacuum Chamber Test Simulating the Lunar South Pole Environment
NEWSTORRANCE, Calif. – (Oct 23, 2024) — GITAI USA Inc. (GITAI), the world’s leading space robotics startup, is pleased to announce that GITAI’s Inchworm-type Robot Arm has successfully passed all tests and achieved Technology Readiness Level 6 (TRL6) following an integrated test conducted in a thermal vacuum chamber simulating the lunar South Pole environment.
To reduce the cost of space operations by 100 times, GITAI is developing robotic satellites for on-orbit services, lunar robotic rovers for infrastructure construction, and inchworm-type robotic arms that can be used in both areas. All of these technologies are being developed in-house.
In August of this year, we relocated our Los Angeles headquarters and space robot manufacturing facility to a new location, which is more than four times larger than our previous office, to expand our production capacity. We have also been conducting various environmental tests simulating lunar conditions, including regolith tests in our in-house regolith chamber.
As the final stage of our lunar environment testing, we conducted an integrated test of the GITAI Inchworm-type Robot Arm in a thermal vacuum chamber simulating the lunar South Pole.
During the test, the GITAI Inchworm-type Robot Arm operated continuously, simulating extreme temperature variations from the intense cold of permanently shadowed regions to the warmer temperatures experienced during lunar daytime.
Power was primarily supplied by four wireless power transmission systems installed around the chamber. At the lowest temperatures, the environment reached -140℃, and the vacuum level was less than 1E-5 Torr. We also tested the robot’s ability to operate solely on battery power in the event of a power failure.
Even under these extreme conditions, the GITAI Inchworm-type Robot Arm successfully performed continuous inchworm-type locomotion for 29 hours, covering a distance of approximately one mile (1,503 steps).
Additionally, we conducted an experiment simulating the docking of a target satellite for on-orbit servicing. The robot arm successfully attached a dedicated end effector using its tool changer function and captured the target satellite’s separation ring.
Through these integrated tests in the thermal vacuum chamber simulating the lunar South Pole, the GITAI Inchworm-type Robot Arm has now reached TRL6.
Moreover, GITAI’s S2 robotic arm, which was successfully demonstrated outside the ISS earlier this year, has already achieved TRL7. Since the Inchworm-type Robot Arm shares 80% of its core components with the S2 robotic arm, it is also considered TRL7 for low-Earth orbit operations.
GITAI will continue to improve the TRL of its products, aiming to carry out a variety of tasks through the provision of on-orbit services and lunar infrastructure construction, with the ultimate goal of reducing the cost of space operations by 100 times.
For more information about this groundbreaking project and our future plans for lunar exploration, please visit gitai.tech.
< Press Kit >
About GITAI
GITAI aims to reduce the cost of labor in space by 100 times, thereby providing a safe and affordable means of work in space. GITAI operates in two business areas: on-orbit services and lunar infrastructure construction. For more on GITAI’s products, services, and upcoming missions, visit gitai.tech.
Media Contact
Company: GITAI USA Inc. (Headquarters) / GITAI Japan, Inc. (Japan Subsidiary)
CEO: Sho Nakanose
URL: https://gitai.tech/
Email: info@gitai.tech