Space Communications, a Review : vTools Events

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Space Communications, a Review

#communications #comsoc #radio #network #computer #networks #smart #infrastructure

We are pleased to invite Distinguished Speaker T. Scott Atkinson to Austin and be part of a special program prepared for IEEE Central Texas Austin member community.

The event is sponsored by several chapters IEEE CTS ComSoc/SP/CTSoc, Computer/EMBS, LM, CTCN, ComSoc/SP of Lone Star section.

In-Person Location: Ingram School of Engineering, San Marcos University

Date: March 30, 2023

Time: 11:30 am – 1:30 pm

Including Networking and F&B

Cost: none

Talk Title: Space Communications, a Review

Distinguished Speaker: Scott Atkinson,

Treasurer, IEEE Lone Star Section,

Chair, Life Members Affinity Gp, IEEE Lone Star Section,

Chapter Treasurer: San Antonio Com/SP, Computer & TEMS

Abstract: NASA’s reliable space communications and navigation (SCaN) networks are the backbone of all of NASA’s space missions, providing the critical communications services for all earth, space science, and human space missions. This includes all the telemetry, tracking, and commanding required by each spacecraft to transfer key data to the ground systems to manage space operations.

Bio: T. Scott Atkinson, IEEE Life Senior Member, ComSoc Life Senior Member, Computer Society Life Senior Member and Technology Engineering and Management Society Life Senior Member, has been a member of the IEEE Communications Society since 1968. Over the years he has attended and participated in over 20 ComSoc Flagship conferences and was Executive Chair of the Globecom 2014 in Austin. In his career, he was initially in the U. S. Air force, serving as a Communications Officer. His next position was as a Communications Engineer working for Lockheed Electronics Company at the NASA Manned Spacecraft Center near Houston. He worked on the Apollo Command Module/Lunar Module Communications system testing with primary focus on the Data Storage Equipment (DSE) essentially the black Box of the Command and Lunar Modules.

Next, he served 14 years as a Communications Engineer and Project Manager for a Houston based company called Tenneco. Finally, before retirement, he worked for the San Antonio based United Services Automobile Association (USAA) as a senior Tech Support Engineer on their Worldwide Communications system. The main focus was on their telephone switching systems and voice/data integration.

In retirement, he became an independent Telecommunications Consultant working for USAA and several other major clients before retiring completely in 2009. At that time, he became a full-time volunteer at IEEE for the Communications Society, Region 5 and the Member Geographic Area Board. His held two significant positions: Chair of the IEEE Geographic Unit Operations Support Committee and chair of the Life Members Committee.

He occasionally provides presentations to IEEE units on Space Communications, major world telescopes and Home Automation. He is also on the ComSoc History Committee where he performs Oral Histories and supports their IEEE Milestone applications.

He and his wife Margaret have two adult daughters and currently lives in San Antonio.

If help is needed, please connect with:

Prof. Semih Aslan, aslan@txstate.edu. or

Fawzi Behmann, f.behmann@ieee.org