Manned lunar orbiter spacecraft "Orion" tracked from Japan as well; SKY Perfect JSAT eyes entry into future lunar communications

SKY Perfect JSAT successfully received radio signals from NASA’s Orion spacecraft during its crewed lunar orbit on the Artemis mission.

Using antennas at three sites in Japan, the company joined a NASA public call and worked with Fukui University of Technology on the tracking effort.

The collected data will be delivered to NASA after Orion’s return.

For a company best known for Earth-orbit satellite communications, the test provides real-world experience for a future lunar communications market and potential paid NASA partnerships.