Toyota ‘Exploring Rockets’ With $44M Investment in Japanese Firm

Funding will support Interstellar Technologies as it develops a reusable, orbital class launch vehicle.

Friday, January 10, 2025 at 01:42 PM ET

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Interstellar Technologies’ Zero is a reusable, two-stage orbital rocket for on-demand launches of small satellites. [Courtesy: Interstellar Technologies]

Key Takeaways:

Toyota's Woven by Toyota subsidiary invested $44 million in Japanese rocket company Interstellar Space to accelerate the mass production of cheap, reusable rockets for small satellite launches.
The partnership aims to leverage Toyota's manufacturing expertise to drive down costs and speed up production of Interstellar's Zero and Momo rockets.
Both companies share a broader vision: Toyota is expanding its mobility focus beyond Earth, while Interstellar seeks to become a comprehensive space infrastructure provider, similar to SpaceX, offering both launch and satellite services.

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Toyota is throwing its hat in the ring to compete with the likes of SpaceX, Rocket Lab, United Launch Alliance, and other space launch providers.

Interstellar Space—a Japanese company developing cheap, reusable rockets to launch small satellites to orbit—on Tuesday revealed that the automaker’s Woven by Toyota subsidiary contributed about $44 million to the company’s latest funding round, with the potential for further investments this year. The partners, who have been working together since 2020, believe the collaboration could speed mass production of Interstellar’s Zero and Momo rockets.

Jack Daleo

Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.