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Innovative Space Carrier Inc. (ISC), a space startup based in Tokyo, Japan, and its United States subsidiary, Sirius Technologies, Inc., signed an operational lease at Spaceport America in May.
The two-year lease allows ISC and its Colorado-based subsidiary and technology and development arm, Sirius, to test and develop its launch vehicles and rocket motor operations.
ISC/Sirius plans to produce a reusable launch vehicle suitable for testing various launch and landing techniques before shifting focus to the creation of its single-stage-to-orbit (SSO) launch vehicle.
“We continue to see strong interest in Spaceport America,” said New Mexico Spaceport Authority Executive Director Scott McLaughlin. “As we continue to make the spaceport site ready, we are able to attract customers like Sirius who can quickly take advantage of the new infrastructure.”
ISC/Sirius Technologies is Spaceport America’s first new tenant since the agency and Sierra County signed a new 40-year land lease with the New Mexico State Land Office in March of 2025.
“NMSA would like to extend its gratitude to New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard and her team at the State Land Office for working to finalize the lease between our two agencies,” McLaughlin continued. “With the new lease, Spaceport America is well-positioned for growth, helping all of Space Valley.”
In April of 2024, ISC/Sirius announced a partnership with Colorado-based aerospace and defense provider Ursa Major in which the former would procure ten Ursa Major Hadley engines. Additionally, ISC/Sirius and Ursa Major are engaged in a collaboration to develop a medium-stage launch engine scaled from the latter’s current Arroway model.
“I am very pleased to launch our first flight demonstration, the ASCA 1.0 mission, at Spaceport America in the United States," said Kojiro Hatada, CEO of ISC. "Our aim is to begin with a small-scale takeoff and landing test and steadily build up a track record toward the realization of a round-trip space transportation system that can travel between Japan and the United States.”
“The opportunity to launch our ASCA 1.0 reusable rocket from Spaceport America represents a landmark achievement in advancing U.S.-Japan collaboration in the aerospace sector," said Kei Shimada, CEO of Sirius Technologies. "We are honored to contribute to this growing partnership and remain committed to the successful execution of the upcoming launch, as well as the continued development of the ASCA series through ongoing cooperative efforts."
The test campaign that ISC/Sirius will conduct includes construction of commodities storage, a test/launch stand, and a rocket processing building.
“The tests by Sirius are a first for Spaceport America, in terms of a multi-year sublease, specifically focused on reusability,” added McLaughlin, “And we are excited by the single-stage to orbit possibilities, which are ideal for an inland launch site like Spaceport America.”
