On Thursday, August 28th, the Mansfield Foundation convened the 9th meeting of the U.S.-Japan Space Forum to discuss the issue of orbital debris and how the United States and Japan can cooperate to ensure the sustainable use of space through scientific research and international norm-setting. Dr. Moriba Jah of the University of Texas at Austin and Mr. Susumu Yoshitomi of the National Space Policy Secretariat of the Government of Japan gave excellent presentations of the current challenges facing stakeholders as they seek to expand, maintain, and decommission their satellite fleets.
Afterwards, Major-General John E. Shaw and Lieutenant-Colonel Toshihide Ajiki offered their assessment of orbital debris and space traffic management as facets of national security and as potential sources of conflict in the new space age. This was the first time the Forum has welcomed members of the U.S. Armed Forces and the Japan Self-Defense Force, and we look forward to future opportunities for collaboration.
These meetings would not be possible without the gracious support of our sponsors: Boeing, IHI Corporation, Marubeni America Corporation, MELCO, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, NEC, L3Harris Corporation, and Raytheon.