Innovative Space Carrier and Letara Announce Strategic Partnership to Co-Develop Japan’s First Large-Scale Hybrid Rocket Engine

― Targeting the world’s first hybrid rocket to reach space by 2028 ―

Letara Inc. (Headquarters: Sapporo, Hokkaido), a company specializing in hybrid propulsion systems, has entered into a strategic partnership with Innovative Space Carrier Inc. (Headquarters: Tokyo; hereafter “ISC”) to jointly develop a large-scale hybrid rocket engine capable of delivering payloads to low Earth orbit (LEO). The collaboration supports a long-term vision to launch the world’s first space-reaching hybrid rocket in 2028.

🔗 Click here for ISC’s official announcement (Japanese)

Partnership Background and Purpose

ISC is pursuing a bold vision of point-to-point (P2P) rocket transportation—delivering materials or humans between any two locations on Earth within minutes. To realize this future, the company requires a propulsion system with unparalleled safety, controllability, and reliability.

Letara’s hybrid engines, rooted in over two decades of R&D led by Professor Harunori Nagata at Hokkaido University’s Graduate School of Engineering (Division of Mechanical and Space Engineering, Laboratory of Space Systems), offer a proven platform. This CAMUI-type engine architecture has a strong record of successful launches. Founded in 2020 as an official university spinout, Letara aims to commercialize this technology across both launch vehicle and in-space propulsion applications, including satellites and spacecraft.

Letara’s hybrid engines use a simple architecture, plastic-based fuel, and oxidizers that eliminate many of the risks associated with liquid or solid propulsion. This results in higher safety margins, faster development cycles, and significantly lower costs—making them especially well-suited for ISC’s rapid, iterative development model.

With ISC’s aspirations for safe, high-speed, human-rated transport and Letara’s cutting-edge hybrid propulsion technology, this partnership brings together two highly complementary visions.

Together, ISC and Letara aim to accelerate the deployment of a next-generation, safe, and scalable rocket transportation system—made in Japan, for the world.

■ Key Highlights of the Collaboration

Letara brings its proven expertise in designing and manufacturing high-thrust engines with rapid turnaround—refined through numerous successful combustion tests.

ISC contributes its unique rocket architecture, flight system design capabilities, and opportunities for real-world flight validation.

Bring global attention to hybrid propulsion as an innovative launch solution that offers an ideal balance of safety, cost-efficiency, and development speed and make Japan a globally competitive launch provider.

Comment from ISC

Though ISC originally focused on a waterfall-model of linear rocket development, we have since expanded and set our sights on an agile development model, where we combine various options in pursuit of the ideal rocket. With this Letara partnership, we are very serious in our consideration to include a hybrid rocket engine as one of our options. I feel that Letara stands out from other start-ups as they are a company brimming with passion for the industry. I am very excited to see what new opportunities this partnership will bring forth for both of our companies.

Comment from Letara

At Letara, we’re proud to join forces with ISC to take on the bold challenge of building Japan’s next-generation rocket—one that will redefine the future of space access. Our hybrid engine technology is built on over two decades of CAMUI development at Hokkaido University and has already proven itself through numerous successful launches. With its exceptional safety, cost efficiency, and fast development cycle, hybrid propulsion offers a powerful path forward. Together, we aim to deliver a groundbreaking rocket by 2028 and prove that Japan can lead the world in space innovation.

■ To the Dreamers, Builders, and Changemakers

At Letara, we’re not just building rockets—we’re building the future of human mobility. Our vision is clear and uncompromising: to make it possible for humanity to reach anywhere in space within 24 hours.

Our first step? Launching Japan’s most advanced, safest, and most affordable hybrid rocket by 2028. Powered by over 20 years of cutting-edge R&D, our hybrid propulsion technology is set to revolutionize space transportation from the ground up.

But this mission is bigger than any one of us. We’re looking for bold minds and passionate hearts—engineers, entrepreneurs, marketers, students, and pioneers from every field—ready to take on a challenge that could change the course of history.

🚀 Now Hiring: Be Part of Japan’s New Space Movement

Letara is actively expanding its team across both engineering and business functions. If you believe space isn’t just the final frontier—but the next opportunity—this is your call to action.

📩 Apply now → https://letara.space/careers

Let’s build the engine that moves humanity forward—together.

■ Company Information