Mr. Nakao served as a launch site engineer at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), where he was responsible for the development and operation of Japan’s flagship rocket programs.
He managed the maintenance and operations of major launch facilities at the Tanegashima Space Center and Uchinoura Space Center, contributing to the successful launches of the H-IIA/H-IIB and Epsilon rockets.
As part of the H3 rocket development program, he led the development of the mobile launch platform and umbilical system and conducted integrated system testing, including engine firing and launch site operations. Following the failure of the first test launch, he contributed to the consecutive successes of Test Flights 2 through 5.
In April 2025, he joined ASTRO GATE Inc. as CTO, where he oversees spaceport design and development, technical coordination with rocket operators, launch operations support, and space-related consulting services.
