In March 2020, the awards of the Fourth Space Exploitation Prize hosted by the Cabinet Office were announced. The Space Exploitation Prize is a commendation system to praise successful projects that greatly contributed to promoting space exploitation. Among the wards, JAXA President Award is presented to a project whose outstanding achievement is recognized from the perspective of space exploitation technology. For the award, JAXA selected a joint project between Hokkaido University and Tohoku University named "Education of CubeSat technology for Asian nations and establishment of an actual utilization network."

In this project, the two universities supported the development of the Philippines' first satellite "DIWATA-1" and the No.2 satellite "DIWATA-2" and led them to success in launch and operation. Mr. SUZUKI Yusuke, Director of the Chief Engineer Office and a member of the selection committee, evaluated the project as follows:

"First of all, it is a great achievement in terms of international contribution to lead the Philippines' first satellite to success in launch and operation. What is especially excellent in technology is the high-resolution telescope and multi-wavelength imager that were mounted on DIWATA-1 and DIWATA-2. As a 50kg-class microsatellite, the telescope has the world highest resolution, and its performance is delivered to the fullest through cooperation with the advanced attitude control technology. Moreover, this project led to the creation of the Philippine Space Agency, the establishment of a satellite image utilization system, and the improvement of Japan's technological presence. In this way, the project achieved results in a variety of aspects, and I highly appreciated it."

Hokkaido University and Tohoku University are currently working to expand the network into other Asian nations in addition to the Philippines. For example, in September 2019, they commenced a satellite development project with Myanmar.

"I have heard that they are planning to establish a high frequency earth observation system with high accuracy by increasing the number of satellites in the future. I hope that they will widen the range of activities and build win-win relationships with nations in Asia."

The Space Exploitation Prize has widened the scope of target projects from this time to welcome applications from newcomers including venture businesses. Consequently, many projects that can lead to the expansion of methods and areas for space exploitation, including innovative ideas and initiatives in new fields, were applied for the Prize.

"Many venture businesses have now entered the space exploitation field, and I feel that the range of the field has been expanding," said Mr. SUZUKI.

"I think that the Space Exploitation Prize provides an opportunity to inspire these newcomers. I hope that many venture companies will achieve commercialization starting from a novel idea and that the industrial scale of space exploitation will increase dramatically."