U.S. & Japan:
Future of Space Science
and Exploration

From the launching of the James Webb Space Telescope and the Perseverance Mars rover to the successful Akatsuki Venus Climate Orbiter and the return of the Hayabusa 2 asteroid sampling mission, the United States and Japan have each made enormous strides in astronomy, space exploration, and other dimensions of scientific space research in recent years. Now, as the development of the space economy of the future accelerates, the two countries have agreed to take further steps together to advance their cooperation on all aspects of space, including the uses of space for the terrestrial economy through tools such as the Quasi-Zenith Space Satellite (QZSS), and through the future development of resources in space and on celestial bodies through the Artemis Moon landing program. Please join us for a wide-ranging discussion of space exploration, space science, and the future space economy as seen by leading experts in the United States and Japan who are working to advance our understanding of, and ability to engage with, the cosmos.

Day 1: U.S. and Japanese Views of the Future of Space Science and Exploration

The first day’s program surveys how the U.S. and Japan are envisioning and preparing for the next few decades of space science, exploration and collaboration. Alongside a keynote talk by Columbia University’s Dr. David Kipping, experts from both countries will present on topics ranging from space elevators to moon bases, and even the attempt to reach Alpha Centauri in our lifetime, as well as the important role played by public science education. Speakers include Dr. Christian Johnson, Mr. Hakamada Takeshi, and Dr. Pete Worden, along with moderator Dr. Scott W. Harold.

Location
All registered participants will automatically receive a link to attend the virtual event.

• Online
• In-Person at RAND Corporation (1776 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA)

In-Person Safety Measures
RAND is following the COVID-19 safety protocols that have been established for federal contractors in the United States. In-person participants will need to be fully vaccinated or show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival.
 

Keynote Speaker

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.

Read more.

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 enjoy publicizing science, and runs a YouTube channel discussing his group's research and related science.

 

Presenters

Dr. Christian Johnson | Associate Information Scientist, RAND Corporation

Mr. Sho Nakanose | CEO, GITAI

Dr. Pete Worden | Executive Director, Breakthrough Starshot Initiative, and Former Director, NASA Ames Research Center (2006 - 2015)
 

Moderator

Dr. Scott W. Harold | Senior Political Scientist, RAND Corporation

Presented by