Chiaki Mukai and Masanori Sugiyama Appointed as External Directors of Axelspace Holdings

Axelspace Holdings Corporation is pleased to announce that it welcomed Chiaki Mukai and Masanori Sugiyama as external directors, and established a new management structure.

Background of External Director Appointments

Through Axelspace Corporation, its consolidated subsidiary founded in 2008, the company has been expanding space business utilizing microsatellites. We have successfully developed, manufactured, and operated a total of 10 satellites, including WNISAT-1, the world’s first observation satellite of Arctic sea ice, and RAPIS-1, the first satellite that Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) entrusted to a space venture for both development and operation. “AxelGlobe” is the first commercial Earth observation constellation in Japan, and has been providing satellite imagery data to hundreds of client companies via our partner companies across approximately 30 countries worldwide.

In 2022, we announced the “AxelLiner” business, which evolved from its original dedicated satellite business. AxelLiner offers a one-stop solution for microsatellites, covering everything from initial feasibility study to design, manufacturing, launch, and on-orbit operation. In July of this year, we started a new service called “AxelLiner Laboratory (AL Lab),” focusing on on-orbit demonstration for space components.

With the appointment of these two new external directors, we aim to further strengthen our management team and accelerate the growth of both the AxelGlobe and AxelLiner businesses, bringing space utilization services employing microsatellites to broader society.

Please visit the following website for a list of our management team: https://www.axelspacehd.com/company/

Profiles and Comments of New External Directors

Chiaki Mukai
“I am deeply honored to take on this crucial role and feel a great responsibility. It is expected and anticipated that satellite utilization will see increasing demand and international competition will intensify. I want to contribute to the further growth of Axelspace’s business and its shareholders.”

（Profile）
Born in 1952 in Tatebayashi City, Gunma Prefecture. Selected as an astronaut in 1985. In 1994, she became the first Asian female astronaut to board the Space Shuttle “Columbia,” conducting life sciences and space medicine experiments. In 1998, she flew again on the Space Shuttle with astronaut John Glenn. She became Vice President of Tokyo University of Science in 2015 and has served as a specially appointed Vice President since 2016.

Masanori Sugiyama
”I am truly honored to be part of Axelspace, a pioneer in developing microsatellites, which is becoming increasingly important in space development and business. I resonate deeply with the vision of “Space within Your Reach,” I am honored to have been appointed as an outside director.
Although it is a great responsibility, I am committed to contributing to the further enhancement of the company’s value.”

（Profile）
After graduating from university, he participated in the management of several IT and content-related companies.
In 2004, he was appointed President and CEO of Zappallas, Inc. The company was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers market the following year, and in 2009, it was listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. After stepping down from Zappallas, he became President and CEO of enish, Inc. in 2011, and in 2013, the company achieved its second listing on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
After resigning from enish, he has served as an outside director at companies such as ROXX, Inc. and Nikkatsu Corporation while also working as an angel investor, fostering young entrepreneurs.

Axelspace CEO Yuya Nakamura

“We are delighted to announce the new management structure with the appointment of Dr. Mukai and Mr. Sugiyama as external directors. As we continue to pursue our vision of ‘Space within Your Reach,’ we will remain committed to expanding space utilization by providing various microsatellite solutions. Our management team and members will continue to work diligently to achieve these goals.”

About Axelspace Holdings Corporation

Location: Tokyo, Japan
President and CEO: Yuya Nakamura
Established: March 2020
Main business: Providing a one-stop service for microsatellites through “AxelLiner,” and offering the Earth observation platform “AxelGlobe.”
The company handles the design, manufacturing, launch arrangement, and post-launch operation support for microsatellites and related components and offers satellite solutions.
Website: https://www.axelspacehd.com/en/