Warpspace

Warpspace is a Japanese space communications company developing WarpHub InterSat, an optical inter-satellite data relay network. Spun off from the University of Tsukuba in 2016, the company builds medium Earth orbit relay satellites that receive data from low Earth orbit satellites via laser communication and forward it to ground stations in near real-time. The system targets Earth observation operators who need to downlink large volumes of imagery data without waiting for direct ground station passes.

The company launched its first satellite, WARP-01, from the International Space Station in March 2021 to demonstrate optical communication technology. Its operational constellation will use Mynaric CONDOR Mk 3 laser terminals conforming to the Space Development Agency's Transport Layer standard. Warpspace was selected for Japan's SBIR program in 2023 and for JAXA's Space Strategy Fund in 2026 to develop interoperability technologies for optical communication terminals. The company completed a Series C funding round in January 2026, bringing total funding to $12 million.