Visit U.S. SiteInfluential Global Leaders from Space and Technology Sectors Join Astroscale Holdings Board of Directors
Tokyo, Japan, Feb. 25, 2022 – Astroscale Holdings Inc. (“Astroscale”), the market leader in satellite servicing and long-term orbital sustainability across all orbits, today announced that Jan Woerner, former European Space Agency’s (“ESA”) Director General, and Yuko Noguchi, an experienced lawyer specializing in technology law and intellectual property, have been appointed to the Astroscale Board of Directors effective February 25, 2022.
“We enthusiastically welcome Jan and Yuko to the Astroscale Board at such an exciting time in our development,” said Nobu Okada, Astroscale Founder & CEO. “Jan has long been a supporter of space sustainability and has driven the development of the ecosystem in Europe. Yuko’s understanding of the legal landscape around innovative technologies is second to none. Jan and Yuko’s combined expertise in their fields and passion for our mission will benefit us as we continue to drive the on-orbit servicing market forward.”
Woerner was the seventh ESA Director General, serving from 2015 to 2021. In 2017, he appealed to space stakeholders to keep Earth’s orbital environment as clean as possible and played a key role in developing and implementing the ESA Space Situational Awareness program. Before becoming Director General, Woerner was head of the German delegation to ESA from 2007 to 2015 and served as Chairman of the ESA Council from 2012 to 2014. He has been awarded numerous prizes and has been a member of various national and international supervisory bodies, advisory councils and committees, including the energy expert group of the German Government.
“I am honored to join Astroscale in their mission to assure the long-term, sustainable use of space,” said Woerner. “It takes an international approach to solve these kinds of global issues, and I am looking forward to contributing to this important effort.”
Noguchi brings a successful track record as an in-house lawyer in technology law, intellectual property, privacy, and dispute resolution. She currently serves as Director and Head of Legal at a Japanese subsidiary of a global technology company. As Director, she oversees all company-wide legal issues for Japan, including representing Legal in the Japan management team, advising from the Japanese law perspective on product issues, regulatory inquiries, and litigation matters. She holds a Doctor of the Science of Law from Stanford Law School.
“Astroscale’s innovation is driving the future of the global space economy and I am thrilled to be part of their mission,” said Noguchi. “I have always been fascinated by the potential of innovative technologies to make the world a better place; that’s why ‘Law and Technology’ have been my focus for the past 20 years. I look forward to sharing my legal knowledge and experience and being part of the success and growth of Astroscale.”
As Board members, Woerner and Noguchi will advise Astroscale’s leadership on the growth strategies, technology roadmaps, policies, business development, and internal governance of the growing international company.
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