Future Satellite & Space Communications

Worldwide, the impact of satellite and space communications is well established. These impactions impinge upon the quality of life in terms of business, commerce, economics, education, policies, institutions, regulations, knowledge and understanding. Since the days of A. Glark for orbits, R. Goddard for launch vehicles, J. R. Fierce and R. Kompfner for communications, the research and development (R&D) efforts seem matured. Most commercial satellite activities reduce to operational maintenance or profit motivated transactions. The reasons for such academic decline are obvious, but the decline needs not to be continuing, if we are willing to redirect our priorities. For some sectors, communications R&D demands exist and will be identified. Through personal experiences and observations, examples and reasons are provided as to why some satellite organizations succeeded and others failed. Today, just excellence in R&D is not enough. What is required will be brought forth for discussion. As the participants of this workshop know well that satellite and space communications is a multifaceted subject, which encompasses many diversified and specialized areas. As the call for papers indicated, the topics of interest are not fewer than 20; and we look forward to learn new advancement, to exchange new ideas, and to share new findings