The Future of Space Cooperation Between the U.S. and Japan: March 7th and 8th, 2022

How Far Can We Go in Our Next Steps Out: Artemis, Space Exploration to 2050, and the Role of Public Science Education

Dr. David KIPPING

Assistant Professor of Astronomy and
Director, Cool Worlds Lab
Columbia University

David Kipping is an assistant professor of astronomy at Columbia University, where he researches extrasolar planets and moons. He leads the Cool Worlds Lab at Columbia.

He is most well-known for his work on exomoons but his research interests also include the study and characterization of transiting exoplanets, the development of novel detection and characterization techniques, exoplanet atmospheres, Bayesian inference, population statistics and understanding stellar hosts. He is the Principal Investigator of The Hunt for Exomoons with Kepler (HEK) project. He enjoys publicizing science, and runs a YouTube channel discussing his group's research and related science.

The Role of U.S. – Japan Cooperation in Astronomy and Space Exploration: Space Elevators and Sky Hooks as Options to Go Up and Out

Dr. Christian JOHNSON

Associate Information Scientist, RAND Corporation

Christian Johnson (he/him) is a physicist interested in applying quantitative techniques to public policy problems. His RAND work has involved building and analyzing machine learning and artificial intelligence systems, and using graph and network theory to improve weapons system acquisition and resiliency. Johnson received his Ph.D. in physics from UC Santa Cruz, where his research focused on novel means of using black holes as probes of dark matter physics.

Robotics—One of Japan’s Key Contributions to the Future of Humanity in Space

Mr. Sho NAKANOSE

Founder and CEO, GITAI

Sho NAKANOSE started developing a prototype of a general-purpose work robot for space in 2016 with the aim of providing an affordable and safe means of labor in space. In the same year, he founded GITAI, a space robotics startup. Nakanose was selected as one of the "Innovators Under 35 Japan 2020" by MIT Technology Review. He is also the first Japanese to be selected for the main program (Global Solutions Program) of Singularity University at NASA Ames Research Center in the US. Prior to GITAI, he founded an IT venture in India in 2013, which he sold in 2016. Before becoming an entrepreneur, he worked at IBM Japan.

What It Will Take to Reach Alpha Centauri in Our Lifetime and Why Should We Do It?

Dr. Pete WORDEN

Executive Director, Breakthrough Starshot Initiative, and
Former Director, NASA Ames Research Center (2006 – 2015)

Prior to joining the Breakthrough Prize Foundation, Pete Worden was Director of NASA's Ames Research Center. He was research professor of astronomy at the University of Arizona. He is a recognized expert on space and science issues and has been a leader in building partnerships between governments and the private sector internationally. Dr. Worden has authored or co-authored more than 150 scientific papers in astrophysics and space sciences. He served as a scientific co-investigator for three NASA space science missions—most recently the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph launched in 2013 to study the Sun. He received the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal for the 1994 Clementine Mission to the moon. Dr. Worden was named the 2009 Federal Laboratory Consortium 'Laboratory Director of the Year' and is the recipient of the 2010 Arthur C. Clarke Innovator's Award.

Dr. Scott W. HAROLD

Senior Political Scientist, RAND Corporation

Scott W. Harold is a senior political scientist at the RAND Corporation, and an affiliate faculty member at the Pardee RAND Graduate School. He specializes in the foreign and defense policies of China, Japan, North and South Korea, and Taiwan.

The Future Space Economy and the Role of Japan-U.S. Space Cooperation: Satellite Data Utilization, Space Exploration and Beyond

Mr. ISHII Yasuo

Vice-President for International Cooperation,
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

Since April 2020, Mr. ISHII Yasuo has served as JAXA Vice President responsible for strategic planning and management, public affairs, international relations and research, security and information systems, business development and industrial relations, and space education. Prior to this Mr. Ishii was Director of Strategic Planning and Management Department of JAXA. Mr. Ishii has held a number of senior management positions at JAXA, including Director of Research Strategy Department, Director of Management and Integration Department at the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), and Director of Bonn Office in Germany. Mr. Ishii joined JAXA (formerly the National Space Development Agency of Japan) in 1986 and started his career as an engineering researcher in thermal and structural engineering for space systems. He then worked as a project engineer for the development of the Manipulator Flight Demonstration on the Space Shuttle (STS-85) and the Japanese Experiment Module, KIBO. He worked as a sub-project manager of earth observation satellites, as well. Mr. Ishii received his Bachelor's Degree and Master's Degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Tokyo in 1984 and 1986, respectively.

The Commercial Market for Heavy Launch Vehicles and Satellite Payloads Over the Next Three Decades and Prospects for International Cooperation

Dr. Bonnie L. TRIEZENBERG

Senior Engineer, RAND Corporation

Bonnie Triezenberg is a senior engineer at RAND. She received her Ph.D. in Policy Analysis in 2017 from the Pardee RAND graduate school. Her dissertation, “Deterring Space War” received the 2018 Richard E. Sherwood Memorial Award to recognize innovation and excellence in foreign affairs. Previously, she was one of 60 hand-selected Senior Technical Fellows at the Boeing Company, representing the highest technical rank in the company. With expertise in agile systems and software development, she contributed to the successful deployment of over 100 space based systems, acting as Chief Engineer in leading system and software development for a wide range of complex embedded and enterprise processing systems for weather, communication, navigation (GPS) and imaging spacecraft for both government and commercial customers.

The Rise of Commercial Space Tourism: Potential Impact on U.S.-Japan Commercial Cooperation

Dr. Chad J.R. OHLANDT

Senior Engineer, RAND Corporation

Chad Ohlandt (he/his) is a senior engineer at the RAND Corporation, focusing on defense acquisition, technology policy, and Indo-Pacific issues. His work revolves around the development of requirements and acquisition of advanced aerospace systems to meet civilian, commercial, and national security needs. He also studies foreign aerospace industrial policy and programs including competition, cooperation, and global supply chains with an emphasis on Asia and China. Ohlandt has served as a senior acquisition analyst in the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology, & Logistics) providing analysis on the performance of the defense acquisition system from 2011-2013.

U.S. – Japan Cooperation on Ensuring Access to Space: The Challenge of Kessler’s Syndrome

Mr. Ron LOPEZ

President and Managing Director, Astroscale – U.S.

Ron Lopez is president and managing director of Astroscale U.S., which provides satellite life-extension and other on-orbit services for commercial operators, the U.S. government, and partner governments around the world. Lopez has over 25 years of government and industry experience, encompassing systems engineering, program management, sales and marketing, technology/research and development management, and strategy formulation.

Lopez started his career as an Intelligence Officer in the United States Air Force, serving as the focal point for Space Situational Awareness capability development at Air Force Space Command’s Space Control Division. He then joined Boeing and worked on various programs as a Systems Engineering Manager within Boeing Research & Technology and Phantom Works and led business development activities for the Network & Space Systems division throughout the Asia Pacific region. Prior to joining Astroscale, Ron led the Defense & Space Asia Pacific sales team at Honeywell Aerospace, helping the company achieve significant sales growth and expansion into new markets.

How Science Fiction and Creative Industry Workers Can Help Policymakers Imagine—and Build—the Space Economy of the Future

Mr. Isaac ARTHUR

YouTube Channel Founder and Host of Science and Futurism with Isaac Arthur

Isaac Albert Arthur is a science communication YouTuber and futurist. He is best known as producer of his YouTube channel, Science & Futurism With Isaac Arthur (SFIA), where he discusses a broad variety of topics on futurism and space colonization. After getting his degree in physics, Isaac served in the US Army, and is a veteran of the Iraqi War. He is currently the Chairman of the Ashtabula County Board of Elections.

Dr. Scott W. HAROLD

Senior Political Scientist, RAND Corporation

Scott W. Harold is a senior political scientist at the RAND Corporation, and an affiliate faculty member at the Pardee RAND Graduate School. He specializes in the foreign and defense policies of China, Japan, North and South Korea, and Taiwan.