Munetaka UENO
Research Director of the Space Exploration Innovation Hub Center
JAXA

Munetaka Ueno is the Research Director of the Space Exploration Innovation Hub Center at JAXA, and also holds professorships at Osaka University and Kobe University. He earned his Ph.D. in physics from Kyoto University in 1994. Afterward, he joined the Department of Astronomy at the University of Tokyo, and in 2009, he moved to the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), JAXA. At JAXA, he has held several key positions, including Head of the Mission Instrument Technology Group, Director of the Space Science Program Office, and Chief Engineer.

His research interests span observational astronomy, solar system science, scientific instrumentation, and systems engineering in space development. He has contributed to several major space missions, including AKARI (an infrared astronomical satellite), AKATSUKI (a Venus orbiter), and the HAYABUSA asteroid mission. He has also served as a Director of the Astronomical Society of Japan and as Chair of the Standing Space Agency Subcommittee under the International Project Management Committee.

Dr. Ueno is actively involved in supporting space-related startups in Japan. He currently serves as a Senior Advisor to ArkEdge Space, ispace, and Letara.

He is deeply involved in supporting space startups in Japan. He currently serves as a Senior Advisor to ArkEdge Space, ispace, and Letara, and is also a co-founder and board member of Power Laser Inc.