Japanese company to launch 60-minute rocket from Tokyo to U.S.

Japanese travel agency Nippon Travel Agency Co. has announced an ambitious plan to launch a 60-minute transportation service from Tokyo to U.S. cities through outer space. If successfully executed, the service will begin sometime in the 2030s.

The travel agency is working with reusable rocket development startup Innovative Space Carrier Inc. on the project. A round trip using the service is expected to cost customers 100 million yen (approximately $652,000).

The transporter will be launched from a maritime location and can eventually connect any two points on Earth within 60 minutes, with an initial focus on connecting Tokyo and the United States, according to the companies.

“We hope this business can become a new starting point connecting space travel and tourism,” Japan Travel President Keigo Yoshida told a news conference in Tokyo.

Rendering of Innovation Space Carrier Inc.’s “ASCA” space travel rocket | © Innovation Space Carrier Inc.

Project Timeline and Services

The project will be carried out in phases and pre-applications will be accepted starting from Japan’s next fiscal year on April 1, 2026. Preliminary related activities, such as space food tastings and tours of space-related ground facilities, are also planned to begin at the same time.

Under the partnership, Nippon Travel will be responsible for designing and marketing related products. Innovative Space Career Inc. President Kojiro Hatada said the company will work to reduce travel costs by increasing the number of flights over the life of each vehicle.

In the 2040s, Nippon Travel hopes to launch a service offering orbital accommodation that goes beyond fast point-to-point rides to offer tourists an all-space hotel or habitat experience.

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