April 23, 2009 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) has published a new book, Success Stories in Satellite Systems, which presents first-hand histories, case studies, and lessons learned from many of the pioneers who built the satellite industry.
Written to appeal to a broad audience of business leaders, entrepreneurs, and students, the book offers the reader a detailed view of the industry's challenges, technologies, and the experiences of those who helped shape it by featuring the contributions of 21 satellite industry leaders. This book provides readers with valuable information which they can immediately use to pursue their own goals in the industry.
It also reminds readers that several of the conveniences we take for granted in our day-to-day lives – GPS navigation units, cell phones, and broadcast television – were made possible by the efforts of engineers working in the satellite field. The book features many historic photographs to complement its compelling narratives.
The book's author is D. K. Sachdev, president of SpaceTel Consultancy, Vienna, Va., and an adjunct professor at George Mason University, Fairfax, Va. Sachdev began his career in telecommunications in his native India before coming to the United States in 1978. From 1978 to 1996, he led INTELSAT's technology development, spacecraft planning, and engineering efforts. Following that, he joined WorldSpace, Washington, D.C., where he was responsible for the engineering, deployment, and operations of both the WorldSpace digital radio system and the early stages of the XM Radio system.
For his efforts in the development of the XM Radio system, the Arthur C. Clarke Foundation awarded Sachdev its 2003 Innovator's award. He is also a recipient of India's Vikram Sarabhai Award, and previously authored Business Strategies for Satellite Systems in 2004.
Contributors to the book are: Ali Saeed Al Mazrooei, chief technology officer, Thurya Telecommunications; Giuliano Berretta, chairman and CEO, Eutelsat Communications; A. Bhaskaranarayana, director, satellite communication programmes, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO); Owen Brown, program manager, Defense Advanced Research Projects Administration (DARPA) Tactical Technology Office (TTO); Lloyd Covens, president, LTen, Com; Mark Dankberg, chairman and CEO, ViaSat; John F. Dealy, president, The Dealy Strategy Group; Leonard R. Dest, president and CEO, RD AMROSS, LLC; Yves Feltes, vice president, media relations, SES; Ahmad F. Ghais, formerly of Inmarsat and Comsat; Fred Kennedy, Lt. Col., United States Air Force, DARPA TTO; Harry Kowalik, former vice president of space systems, Telesat; Conny Kullman, former chairman and CEO, Intelsat; Keith D. McDonald, chairman and technical director, NavtechGPS; Adrian J. Morris, executive vice president, Hughes Network Systems; Yutaka Nagai, board director and executive vice president, SKYPerfect, JSAT Corp.; Wade Pulliam, program manager, DARPA TTO; U. R. Rao, former chairman of ISRO, and secretary, Department of Space; Harold A. Rosen, former vice president, Hughes Aircraft Company; Jimmy Schaeffler, chairman, The Carmel Group.
(Published by AIAA, 2009. 416 pages, Hardback ISBN-13: 978-1-56347-966-3; List Price: $69.95.) Review copy requests may be e-mailed to janices@aiaa.org. Orders may be placed online: www.aiaa.org/books; by mail: AIAA Publications Customer Service, P.O. Box 960, Herndon, VA, 20172-0960; by phone: 800.682.2422 or 703.661.1595; or by fax: 703.661.1501
AIAA is the world's largest technical society dedicated to the global aerospace profession. With more than 35,000 individual members worldwide, and 90 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense. For more information, visit www.aiaa.org.
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