Strengthening Nordic–Japan Space Cooperation: ECAPS at Osaka Nordic Space Day
Osaka, Japan – September 2025
ECAPS participated in the panel discussion “Building Commercial Partnerships in Space” at Nordic Space Day in Osaka, an event bringing together Swedish and Japanese leaders to strengthen cooperation in space.
ECAPS highlighted Sweden’s role in propulsion, with its propulsion systems already deployed on important international missions supporting both defense and space applications.
The discussion also emphasized how infrastructure, launch services, and on-orbit technologies, alongside propulsion, are strengthened through international partnerships and localisation, ensuring capabilities can be adapted to support both civil and defense applications in Japan and beyond
Odysseas Christofi, CEO of ECAPS, joined by leadership from SSC, Astroscale, and Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) on stage. The panel focused on unlocking opportunities for cross-border collaboration and commercial partnerships in the evolving space economy.
The agenda brought together leaders from government and industry, including Dr. Ella Carlsson, Director General at SNSA, who opened Nordic Space Day with welcoming remarks, and Sweden’s astronaut Marcus Wandt, now Chief Innovation Officer at Saab, who shared his perspective on international cooperation alongside JAXA astronaut Dr. Satoshi Furukawa. Contributions also came from Dr. Olle Norberg, Director General of the Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF), and Christian Hånberg, Head of Industrial Policy and Telecommunications at SNSA.
Other prominent participants included representatives from ESA, Andøya Spaceport, Beyond Gravity, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT), all contributing to panels on defense and security, launch services, and innovation. Together, these discussions addressed themes ranging from cross-border commercial partnerships to lunar exploration and the future of satellite-based services.
ECAPS thanks Business Sweden and the Swedish National Space Agency (SNSA) for their support in making Nordic Space Day possible, and for advancing Swedish–Japanese dialogue in space and defense.
Background on ECAPS
ECAPS is a Swedish leader in advanced chemical propulsion systems, with over two decades of heritage in developing and delivering high-performance green propulsion. Building on the success of the LMP-103S propellant and a proven track record in orbital and defense missions, ECAPS is strengthening Sweden’s position as a trusted propulsion authority for both European and international partners.
More on the Nordic Circle at the Nordic Pavilion.