CEO’s message
Space business has become a daily topic in newspapers, magazines, and other media, leading to an increasing interest. However, we also frequently hear voices like:
"I'm interested in space, but I don't know how to enter the field."
"With so many problems on Earth, what's the point of venturing into space?"
I have a unique background, starting my journey into Space business development while being involved with international organizations promoting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This has led me to consistently consider how to align space endeavors with SDGs when venturing into Space businesses. In 2020, I studied at the International Space University, focusing on the theme of employing Space-originated technologies to prevent the pandemic caused by viruses, including the new coronavirus, which was the most pressing global issue at that time. Through this experience, I came to recognize that a multitude of Space-originated technologies are already being applied to address challenges on Earth. This realization instilled in me a firm belief that the technologies and knowledge stemming from Space can be harnessed to tackle Earth's problems, further motivating me to advocate for the value of the intersection between Space and sustainability. To advance this endeavor even more, I established "Cross Space & Sustainability LLC" in April of this year.
If you are someone looking to venture into Space as a business, curious about how space can benefit our society, or facing challenges in launching a new business and expanding internationally, please feel free to reach out to me.
Cross Space & Sustainability, LLC
Satoru Cross (Kurosu), CEO
Background
Since 1983, I have been involved in overseas business development, marketing, business planning, development, and management at Yokogawa Electric Corporation. Utilizing B2B (industrial materials) marketing strategies, I contributed to expanding the overseas sales ratio to approximately 70%. In 2009, I received the award at the 1st Japan Marketing Awards for "BtoB Branding." I was stationed in the Netherlands and Singapore.
My involvement in promoting sustainability began in 2017 when I became a Council Member of WBCSD (World Business Council for Sustainable Development), and I served as the Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) from 2019 until March 2023. Until March 2019, I also held the position of Director, Executive Vice President at the company.
April 2019: Participation in the Executive Space Course at the International Space University (ISU) and started Space business development in May.
July 2020: Studied in the ISU Interactive Space Program (ISP20), which focused on utilizing Space-originated technologies to prevent pandemics, given its transition to an online format due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was during this program that I became aware of various technologies originating from Space that contribute to achieving SDGs on Earth, inspiring me to begin promoting their value.
July 2021: Established Yokogawa Electric Corporation's first dedicated organization for Space business, Space Business Development Office.
November 2021: Delivered a lecture titled “SDGs and Space at Yokogawa Electric: Space Business Opened Up by the SDGs” at the 65th Conference on Aerospace Science and Technology.
November 2022: Delivered a lecture titled “Yokogawa Electric’s Solutions for Applying Space to the SDGs: From Remote Sensing and ISS Life Sciences to the Lunar Circular Economy” at the 66th Conference on Aerospace Science and Technology.
December 2022: Delivered a lecture titled “Space & SDGs – Space Businesses for Societal Needs” at the University of Tokyo Graduate School.
April 2023: I became the Executive Mentor of Space Business Development Office and founded Cross Space & Sustainability, LLC.
April 2023: Delivered a lecture titled “Space & SDGs – Space Businesses for Societal Needs” at the International Space University (ISU) Master Class in Strasbourg, France.
July 2023: Delivered a lecture titled "How can UNISEC contribute to the Sustainability of the Earth" at UNISEC (University Space Engineering Consortium) 20th Anniversary Event.
September 2023: Delivered a lecture titled “Accelerating the Contribution to SDGs in Asia-Pacific” at APRSAF (Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum) in Jakarta, Indonesia.
October 2023: Delivered a lecture titled “Yokogawa Electric’s Solutions for Applying Space to the SDGs: From Remote Sensing and ISS Life Sciences to Environmental Control for the Lunar Circular Economy” at the 67th Conference on Aerospace Science and Technology in Tokuyama.
October 2023: Delivered a lecture titled “Introduction to YOKOGAWA Space Business Development and Water Loss Management System in Thailand” at Thailand Space Week in Bangkok.
December 2023: Delivered a lecture titled “Space × Sustainability: Solving Global Challenges through New Value Creation” at the Nikkei SDGs Festival and Space Project Forum.
January 2024: Delivered a lecture titled “Space & SDGs – Space Businesses for Societal Needs” at the University of Tokyo Graduate School.
March 2024: Delivered a lecture titled “Space: The First and Last Opportunity for New Business Entry” at the 19th New Business Development Leader Forum hosted by the Corporate Research Institute Association.
May 2024: Delivered a lecture titled “Space Development and the SDGs” in the course Space Utilization Studies at Gakushuin University.
June 2024: Delivered a lecture titled “Space to Achieve SDGs – Develop Space-enabled Solutions for Sustainability of the Earth” at the Elective Workshop of the International Space University Space Studies Program (SSP) 2024 in Houston (hosted by Rice University and NASA Johnson Space Center).
July 2024: Conducted a seminar titled “Space × SDGs: Introducing Space-derived Solutions for Solving Earth’s Challenges, Including Yokogawa Electric Case Studies” at the Japan Planning Institute (JPI).
August 2024: Participated as a panelist in the CIC Tokyo–hosted E&E TALK EVENT “Space × Environment & Energy with Student Organizations.”
September 2024: Participated as a panelist in the Space Development Forum panel discussion “The Era of Space Expansion: How to Face Changes in the Human Body, Mindset, and Society.”
October 2024: Published a paper titled “Solutions Utilizing Space for SDGs” in the Journal of the Japan Society for Aeronautical and Space Sciences.
November 2024: Presented a paper titled “Space × SDGs: Space-derived Solutions for Solving Earth’s Challenges, Including Yokogawa Electric Case Studies” at the 68th Conference on Aerospace Science and Technology.
November 2024: Served as moderator for a panel discussion on “Lunar Development and Lunar Business” at Nikkei (The parent company of Financial Times): The Future of Space 2024.
December 2024: Delivered a lecture titled “Contributions of Lunar Development to the Earth” at the 8th Moon Village Workshop & Symposium in Luxembourg.
December 2024: Published an article titled “Business Development of Space × SDGs” in the December issue of International Development Journal, featured in the special issue “International Development Opened Up by Space Technologies.”
December 2024: Delivered a lecture titled “Space Business for Societal Needs” in the Space Development and Public Policy program at the University of Tokyo Graduate School.
January 2025: Delivered a lecture titled “What Is Happening in Space Business? – Latest Trends Including Lunar Development” at the Marunouchi Chohankai forum.
January 2025: Participated as a panelist in the YOXO Festival panel discussion “Discussing the Future of Space Habitation.”
March 2025: Delivered a lecture on “The Moon Village and Space Tourism” at a lecture and roundtable session hosted by Society for Space Travel of Japan.
April 2025: Participated as a speaker at the Lunar Polar Exploration Workshop hosted by JAXA.
May 2025: Proposed a solution contributing to the circular economy at the ECLSS Grand Prix.
May 2025: Participated as a speaker at the 36th Study Group on Building a Society on the Moon and Planets.
May 2025: Published the book “Space Business and Space Debris Mitigation”
(Supervised by Satoru Kurosu and Soichiro Kozuka), published by NTS Inc.
May 2025: Delivered a lecture titled “Toward the Realization of Sustainable Space Business” at the 65th New Space Strategy Lab meeting.
July 2025: Delivered a lecture titled “Shaping the Future of Earth through the Challenge of Space” at the 13th Applied Physics Society Ultra-Integrated Electronics Industry–Academia Collaboration Committee Workshop held at the University of Tokyo Institute of Industrial Science.
July 2025: Presented a paper titled “Space-enabled Innovations to Solve Earth’s Issues” at the 35th International Symposium on Space Technology and Science (ISTS) in Tokushima, Japan.
July 2025: Participated as a panelist in “Moonshots: Innovation & Lunar Markets” at International Moon Day, a UN-recognized event hosted by the Moon Village Association (MVA).
July 2025: Participated as a keynote discussant in “Learning the Reality of B2B New Business Development from the Space Market” at the BtoB Marketer’s Summit held at Meiji Kinenkan.
October 2025: Presented a paper titled “Sustainable Business Model for Integrating Space and Terrestrial Industries” at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) 2025 in Sydney, Australia.
October 2025: Served as moderator for the panel discussion “Living on the Moon: Challenges, Opportunities, and International Cooperation” at a webinar jointly hosted by the World Space Week Association (WSWA) and the Moon Village Association (MVA) as part of the UN-recognized World Space Week.
October 2025: Served as moderator for the “Workshop on Leveraging ISU in the Future” and participated as a panelist in “The Future of Space Activities” at the ISU Executive Space Course (ESC) hosted by Hokkaido University.
October 2025: Delivered a lecture titled “Shaping the Future of Earth through the Challenge of Space” and participated in a panel discussion at the Fraunhofer Institute–hosted event “Circular Economy and the Space Industry” during Nihonbashi Space Week.
November 2025: Delivered a lecture titled “The Value of Space and Space Tourism” at a lecture and roundtable event hosted by Society for Space Travel of Japan at X-Nihonbashi Tower.
November 2025: Delivered a lecture titled “Space × SDGs: Shaping the Future of Earth through the Challenge of Space” at the Space Utilization Workshop at Gakushuin University.
November 2025:
Presented a paper titled “A Sustainable Business Model Aimed at Integrating Space and Terrestrial Industries” at the 69th Conference on Aerospace Science and Technology held in Sapporo.
December 2025: Presented the outcomes of the Moon Village Association Industry Working Group (IWG) at the 9th Moon Village Workshop & Symposium in Turin, Italy.
Also participated as a panelist in “Lunar Market Opportunities for Non-Space Heritage Companies” at the Lunar Economy Summit held in Turin.
December 2025: Delivered a lecture titled “Space Business for Societal Needs” in the Space Development and Public Policy course at the University of Tokyo Graduate School.
January 2026: Delivered a lecture “Shaping the Future of Earth through the Challenge of Space —From Space Development to Solving terrestrial Challenges (SDGs)” at Space University, hosted by the Japan Space Industry Organization
- Board of Director, Moon Market Development Coordinator, Moon Village Association
- Supporter, crossU, the open innovation platform for Space Business
- Director, University Space Engineering Consortium (UNISEC) Global
- Board Member, Japan Marketing Society (2021-2023: Executive Board Member)
Academic Background
1983: Bachelor's degree in Economics from Keio University
2006: INSEAD Advanced Industrial Marketing Strategy
2007: Tama University Renaissance Center (Liberal Arts Business School)
(Studied environmental issues on Earth and conducting on-site investigations at the Aral Sea in Uzbekistan, considered one of the most significant environmental devastations on the planet due to its ongoing depletion.)
2016: INSEAD M&A and Corporate Strategy
2019: International Space University Executive Space Course
2020: International Space University Interactive Space Program
Book
Title: "The Future of Business Fostered by SDGs"
Authors: Masahiro Mizuno and Yutaka Hara
Published by: Impress Corporation (2020)
Contribution to Chapter 05 "Learning from Case Studies: SDGs x Business": "Realizing a Resource Circulating Society through the Power of Energy"
"Research and Intellectual Property Strategies for Latecomers to 'Win' and How to Explain and Persuade Management" Technical Information Institute (2024) Chapter 10, Section 6: "Entering the Space-Related Business Utilizing In-House Technology and Future Prospects"
"Architectural Informatics Society White Paper 2023-2024" Architectural Informatics Society (2024) Part 2: "Space x SDGs — Solving Problems through Information from Space"
Paper
International Space University Interactive Space Program 2020 Crew Members, Utilizing space-enabled capabilities for the mitigation of COVID-19 and future pandemics, International Space University, 2020
Satoru Kurosu, Takuya Azuma, Yukihiro Uchida, SDGs and Space at Yokogawa: Expanding Space Business through SDGs, 65th Japan Society for Aeronautical and Space Sciences Conference, 2021
Satoru Kurosu, Takuya Azuma, Yukihiro Uchida, Keisuke Shinpuku, Soichiro Konada, Yokogawa's Solutions for Harnessing Space for SDGs - From Remote Sensing and ISS Life Science to Circular Economy on the Moon, 66th Japan Society for Aeronautical and Space Sciences Conference, 2022
Satoru Kurosu, Takuya Azuma, Yukihiro Uchida, Soichiro Konada, Akihiro Murata, Keiko Mizuno, Kazuyuki Morii, Yokogawa’s Solutions for Harnessing Space for SDGs - From Remote Sensing and ISS Life Science to Environmental Control for Circular Economy on the Moon, 67th Space Science and Technology Union Conference, 2023
Satoru Kurosu, Takuya Azuma, Yukihiro Uchida, Soichiro Konada, Akihiro Murata, Keiko Mizuno, Kazuyuki Morii, Solutions Utilizing Space for SDGs, the Journal of the Japan Society for Aeronautical and Space Sciences, 2024
Satoru Kurosu, Takuya Asuma, Yukihiro Uchida, Soichiro Konada, Akihiro Murata, Keiko Mizuno, Kazuyuki Morii, Katsutoshi Oohata, Takashi Yoshida, Mariko Haraand Hidehito Shiratsu、Space-enabled Innovations to Solve Earth’s Issues, 35th International Symposium on Space Technology and Science, 2025
Satoru Kurosu, Takuya Azuma, Yukihiro Uchida, Soichirou Konada, Akihiro Murata, Keiko Mizuno, Kazuyuki Morii, Katsutoshi Oohata, Takashi Yoshida, Shinichirou Teduka and Hidehito Shiratsu, Sustainable Business Model for Integrating Space and Terrestrial Industries, International Astronautical Congress, 2025
Company Overview
| Company Name | Cross Space & Sustainability, LLC |
| CEO | Satoru Cross (Kurosu) |
| Established | April 3, 2023 |
| Location | Urawa-ku, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture, Japan |
| Bank | Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Omiya Branch |
| Business Description | Space Business Development and Sustainability (Realization of a Sustainable Society) including the following: 1) Consulting services 2) Lecturer for seminars, conferences, and education, etc. 3) Writing books, publications, electronic publications, etc. |