Vol. 11, No. 2
May 1999

Have Slides/Viewgraphs, Will Travel

Mercurian William W. Ward, P.E., Ph.D., has developed an illustrated lecture on the history of satellite communication. Like his earlier spiel on the exploration of the outer planets by means of spacecraft (given 75 times commencing in 1973, continuing in repertory), this new show-and-tell benefits from his many years of experience in designing, building, testing, and operating experimental communication satellites. He retired from MIT's Lincoln Laboratory as Manager of Satellite Operations in 1994 but continues to putter around with a few old satellites that refuse to die.

An engineer since tender years, Bill Ward was in the Army Signal Corps during World War II, serving in the Pacific Theater of Operations. His first thirteen years at Lincoln Laboratory were largely devoted to the research and development of military radar systems. In 1965 he switched from (range)exp(-4) problems to (range)exp(-2) problems and found life to be much easier.

Dr. Ward's lectures are given on a travel-expenses-only basis; no honoraria are required. For further information contact him at <w.ward@ieee.org> or (617)527-5331.