On January 16, 2023, IDDK Co., Ltd. (“IDDK”) announced a strategic partnership with Singapore Space & Technology Ltd. (“SSTL”) to advocate the use of the space environment for biological experiments. SSTL is one of the leading space organisations in the Asia Pacific, spearheading awareness and adoption of space-related technologies, and fostering partnerships between various stakeholders to accelerate the high-tech ecosystem.
Space, the vast expanse that surrounds the Earth, is perhaps a consistent source of wonder for many. Yet, the space environment has much more to offer than the nothingness that is suggested by the very definition of the word ‘space’. In fact, the space environment, being fundamentally different from Earth, offers us opportunities to push the limits of what we know.
To illustrate, space offers a unique research and manufacturing environment to a broad range of sectors because of microgravity, higher level of radiation, and its near-vacuum state. These features enable new processes or reveal new insights. For examples, microgravity alters many observable phenomena in both the physical and life sciences. Under microgravity, various phenomena, known on Earth, are significantly altered like density gradients, gravity driven convection, reduced surface and interfacial tension, hydrostatic pressure, and sedimentation. Multiple experiments have shown that organic and inorganic matter alter their characteristics in response to gravitational changes.
Space bio-experiments under the microgravity environment have been carried out on the International Space Station for a wide range of purposes, from research to industrial use. These experiments on the International Space Station over the past 20 years have demonstrated significant results, which have contributed to many areas of healthcare and food, such as the development of new drugs for muscular dystrophy. Still, there are various challenges which restrict the accessibility to space. For now, only selected countries and companies are allowed to facilitate experiments on the existing ISS platform. Moreover, unclear prices and the complicated and long process of actually conducting experiments in space drive up the operational costs of going to space, making the profilability of space for industrial use highly uncertain. There are also restrictions on the possible experiments that can be done in space, such as experiments that pose a danger to the International Space Station on which the astronauts are on board, or to the human body itself. This is crucial to ensure the wellbeing of the dedicated astronauts from all over the world.
While government-led space experiments have mostly been conducted on the International Space Station in the past 20 years, the future of space experiments is likely to be shifted to private sector initiatives. IDDK is looking to accelerate the trend of private-led space bio-experiments by developing a mini-laboratory inside a satellite. The mini-laboratory would be exceptional, featuring the patented, state-of-the-art Micro Imaging Device (MID) exclusively developed by IDDK, which allows for capturing and managing microscopic experimental data through one-chip. IDDK will receive funding from JAXA to develop an ultra-compact 3D fluorescence microscope observation device using MID technology.
The mini laboratory is intended to be operated as a space dedicated bio lab, using the Forge-Star(TM), a satellite platform produced by Space Forge. Announced by IDDK on December 19, 2022, Space Forge, a startup based in the UK, is developing manufacturing experiment platforms suited for the microgravity environment aboard sustainable artificial satellites that re-enter into the atmosphere.
SpaecForge
This initiative is one of the pivotal first steps in developing Singapore’s Space Life Science sector, which will set the stage for building new knowledge and capabilities, fostering the next generation of space science researchers as well as international collaborations. Through this partnership, by using satellites instead of the manned International Space Station as a platform for space experiments, it will be easier for research institutes and companies in the Asia-Pacific region centered in Singapore to access the space environment for experimentation. In addition, since it will be an unmanned platform, the procedure will be cheaper and easier than before, and it is expected that the range of possible experiments will be expanded.
- Kohei Yoshioka, Director and Chief Financial Officer of IDDK
KoheiYoshioka DirectorandChief FinancialOfficerof IDDK
We are very pleased that our strategic partnership with Singapore Space & Technology Ltd., one of the leading space organisations in the Asia-Pacific region, brings us one step closer to our vision. In collaboration with SSTL and Space Forge, we will build a sustainable platform for conducting bio-life science experiments in space. We aim to become the world’s No.1 space biotechnology experiment company.
- Soichiro Ueno, founder and CEO of IDDK
Soichiro ueno Director&CEO IDDK
With its own technology, IDDK aims to shift the government-led space bio-experiments on the International Space Station to a private-sector initiative. In order to realize our vision to democratize space experiments, we are going to build alliances with strategic partners around the world. As a step towards this, we believe that it is important that we were able to form a strategic alliance with the Singapore Space Technology Ltd., which is easily accessible for research institutes and companies in the Asia-Pacific region.
- Lynette Tan, Chief Executive of SSTL
Lynette Tan Chief Executive SSTL
Space research has long benefitted mankind through space technology spin-offs. As we consider deep space exploration missions, it is essential for us to understand and overcome the problems of biology of plants, animals and humans in space. Through partners like IDDK, their platform potentially allows for greater affordability and accessibility to perform experiments in space. By working with them to explore bio-experiments in space, it can possibly allow us to not only discover technologies that will positively impact mankind, but also contribute to the future space efforts to visit and colonise the Moon and Mars. From a wider perspective, this could be one of the ways Singapore can contribute to international space efforts and missions.
- Joshua Western, Co-founder and CEO of Space Forge
Joshua Western CEO Space Forge
We are thrilled to partner with IDDK and SSTL on this demonstration, which will be launched on board our Forge-Star(TM) platform. For us, opening up access to the space environment so that people can harness the benefits of space for life on earth is at the core of our mission. To push innovation and realise the true market potential of in-space manufacturing the private sector initiative is key, and we hope that our work with IDDK and this project can highlight that.
- About IDDK
IDDK was established in June 2017 by Soichiro Ueno, the founder and CEO, and has been developing business using the patented cutting-edge technology, Micro Imaging Device (MID).IDDK is working on the space bio experiment field as a social implementation of MID. IDDK democratizes space experiment. We do this with MID applying to artificial satellites, constructing mini lab inside the satellites. Space experiments carried out on the International Space Station led by the government over the past 20 years will be shifted to private sector leadership by IDDK.
Website: https://iddk.co.jp
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/iddk-co-ltd/
Twitter: @IDDK_PR
