First, I would like to refer to the unauthorized access that occurred at JAXA, as announced in the press release issued on July 5.
As stated in the report, the attacker seems to have exploited a vulnerability in the VPN to gain the initial access to some of JAXA’s internal servers and computers, further expanded the scope of unauthorized access to steal JAXA’s user account information, and used it to illegally access the information managed on JAXA’s Microsoft365 service, posing as its legitimate user. We have confirmed that some of the information managed by JAXA has leaked due to this cyberattack.
While we cannot disclose the details of the leaked information in light of our relationship with the third parties related to the information, we have already provided explanations and apologies to those affected. We can at least reassure you that the information systems and networks compromised in this incident do not handle sensitive information on launch vehicle and satellite operations.
Up to the present, JAXA has not received any reports from related parties at home or overseas on significant disruption to their business activities, but we deeply regret any inconvenience this incident may have caused, taking it seriously as a matter that could undermine trust in JAXA. We will continue to further step up our information security measures to prevent a recurrence.

The next topic is on the Advanced Land Observing Satellite-4 (ALOS-4), or DAICHI-4, aboard the third H3 Launch Vehicle launched from the Tanegashima Space Center on July 1. As stated in the press conference on the launch day, the H3 Launch Vehicle flew as planned, injecting DAICHI-4 into the designated orbit. Meanwhile, DAICHI-4, following its separation from the launch vehicle, proceeded with a series of operations including the deployment of its solar array paddles, sun acquisition controlling, and deployment of the antennas for the satellite’s mission payloads, the Phased Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar-3 (PALSAR-3) and the SPace-based Automatic Identification System Experiment3 (SPAISE3) that demonstrates the performance of the Automatic Identification System (AIS) installed on individual vessels. Upon confirmation of these operations having been executed, the so-called critical operation phase, a transitory period for a satellite to be in an operational state, was completed for DAICHI-4 on July 3. DAICHI-4 will move on to the initial functional verification operation phase to verify the functions of its entire satellite system and onboard instruments, such as observation sensors, over a period of about three months.
I would like to express my respect for the commitment made by the DAICHI-4 and H3 Launch Vehicle project team members and all the companies and organizations engaged in these projects, including Mitsubishi Electric Corporation and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
JAXA will continue to steadily operate DAICHI-4 through concerted efforts with Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, which is also supporting the initial operation of DAICHI-4, and NEC Corporation, which collaborated with JAXA in the development of SPAISE3, and many other related companies.

Lastly, I would like to share information on the S-520-34 sounding rocket experiment to be conducted next month on August 11.
In the flight experiment on S-520-34, we will use a liquid propellant detonation engine system. Detonation engine system (DES) is a rocket engine technology that safely and efficiently converts the compression waves (detonation waves) generated by the explosive reaction of a fuel-oxidizer gas mixture into thrust.
Three years ago in July 2021, we conducted a flight experiment on S-520-31 using a DES, and successfully demonstrated the world's first DES-adopted space flight. In that flight demonstration, we used methane and oxygen gases for the engine’s propellant.
Based on the results of that experiment, we have further developed the DES and produced a detonation engine using ethanol, which is a liquid fuel, and oxidizer, and will load it on S-520-34 in the upcoming experiment, to operate the engine in space and evaluate its propulsion performance. The experiment, led by Prof. KASAHARA Jiro of Nagoya University, will be conducted as joint research among the Institute of Materials and Systems for Sustainability, Nagoya University; Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University; Keio University; Muroran Institute of Technology; and JAXA, as with the previous experiment on S-520-31.
Detonation engines are considered as applicable to various space propulsion areas, including launch vehicles’ first and second stage engines and kick motors, as well as engines for small satellites and space probes, and are therefore under research and development at universities and research institutes in Japan. Also, seeing detonation engines as the subject of studies for practical applications, proactive research is underway on those engines in Europe, the U.S., Japan, and in the rest of Asia.
JAXA will commit itself to working on the demonstration experiment scheduled to be performed in August.

On July 5, JAXA opened a public call for applications to 5 of the 22 technology development themes designated for research and development to be implemented under the Space Strategy Fund allocated to JAXA in the government’s FY2023 supplementary budget. The deadline is August 30. The funded entities will be determined through rigorous and fair examinations and evaluations conducted by a third-party body composed of external experts.

The public calls for the remaining 17 themes will successively open from mid-July onward. Refer to JAXA’s Space Strategy Fund website for the lists of themes to be open for applications in mid-July, late July, and early August, with four themes provided for each of the open dates. Further information can be found on the website.

JAXA is determined to play its role in technological development management and other responsibilities, being an industry-academia-government nodal point of technological developments and demonstrations, as well as of human resources, both at home and overseas. We hope that many people will consider applying for and utilizing the Fund.