Aeronext Enters into Contract with JAXA for Development of a Drone to Support Recovery of Marine Floating Objects

Aeronext Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President & Group CEO: Keisuke Toji; hereinafter “Aeronext”) announces that it enters into contract with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) for the research and development case titled “Design and Development of a Drone to Support Recovery of Marine Floating Objects.”

This case supports JAXA’s space exploration missions and involves the development of a drone capable of locating marine floating objects at sea—such as scientific observation balloons and small devices including the RATS (Reentry and Recovery Module with Deployable Aeroshell Technology for Sounding Rocket Experiment), which collect experimental data from sounding rockets returning from space—and assisting in subsequent recovery operations.

【Background of the Development】

Until now, JAXA has relied primarily on GPS information and visual searches to recover floating objects at sea. However, this approach has presented challenges in terms of time efficiency and reliability. To enable faster and more reliable recovery operations, JAXA initiated this development case to create a drone capable of:

・Safely taking off and landing at sea
・Conducting wide-area search operations
・Autonomously returning to a moving vessel

By deploying a drone, search operations can be conducted from a higher vantage point than that of a ship’s deck, enabling broader visual coverage. In addition, mapping technology allows the search area to be quantified, and the drone can serve as an alternative method when GPS-based searches are insufficient.

【Aeronext’s Experience and Resources】

Aeronext will leverage its technical expertise, operational know-how, and research resources in undertaking this case.

・In November 2022, through a joint project with the National Institute of Technology, Hiroshima College, Aeronext successfully achieved Japan’s first drone landing on an autonomously navigating vessel, using the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) “Michibiki” to coordinate control between the vessel and the drone.

・Aeronext continuously pursues efficient and stable flight performance by optimizing aerodynamic characteristics. The company conducts advanced research and development utilizing in-house facilities and personnel capable of performing wind tunnel testing and CFD analysis.

【Case Overview】

1. Case Title
Design and Development of a Drone to Support Recovery of Marine Floating Objects

2. Case Period
January 2026 – March 2026

3. Case Scope
Design and development of a drone specialized for maritime operations, intended to conduct aerial wide-area searches and support recovery operations through equipment deployment at sea.

4. Performance Requirements and Target Specifications
The drone is expected to meet the following conditions and performance goals:

・Autonomous wide-area mapping via aerial imaging and real-time video transmission to the operator
・Capability to float on water and take off from and land on the ocean surface
・Ability to release payloads from the aircraft to the sea
・Autonomous return to a moving operator position, assuming operation from a vessel

Through this contract, Aeronext will further leverage its advanced technologies and expertise to contribute to solving societal challenges and advancing the creation of next-generation aerial infrastructure.

Reference

【About Aeronext Inc.】

Aeronext’s mission is “Building a new social infrastructure for the 100-year life era, ensuring prosperity reaches every corner of society.” The company pioneers new value creation using low-altitude airspace. Aeronext provides 4D GRAVITY^®—its proprietary airframe structural design technology that optimizes gravity and aerodynamic characteristics to enhance basic industrial drone performance and improve logistics drone transport capabilities—through its technology licensing business and joint development projects.

Through its strategic subsidiary NEXT DELIVERY Inc., Aeronext also promotes SkyHub^TM, a next-generation smart logistics platform integrating existing ground logistics and drone delivery, as well as a drone operation business led by one of Japan’s most experienced professional teams. SkyHub^TM is already socially implemented across multiple regions in Japan, helping solve local logistics challenges.

*Company profile: https://aeronext.com/about/company/

*Aeronext and the Aeronext logo, NEXT DELIVERY, “4D GRAVITY^®“, and “SkyHub^®” are trademarks of Aeronext Inc. 

*Other company and product names mentioned in this press release are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective companies.