Description

In this lecture, Distinguished Professor Karu Esselle will outline the opportunities offered by space for the advancement of humanity and quality of human life around the globe. As one example, he will focus on satellite communications. Emphasis will be on the emerging non-geosynchronous satellite communication technologies with low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations. Areas where current R&D activities are going on, or expected to prosper in the near future, will be noted and some unsolved challenges will be identified, from the perspective of Karu’s primary area of research expertise – Electromagnetic & Antenna Engineering. Karu will also outline some relevant R&D projects that are being conducted or recently completed at UTS in this area, for example on metasurface-based radio-frequency beam steering also known as Meta-Steering, radio-frequency intersatellite communications and tracking and capturing radio-frequency transmissions from low-earth orbit satellites. Some of these project outcomes contributed to his individual and team awards mentioned in his biography. This lecture is targeted for general audience, not antenna specialists.