Title:  From Space to Earth: The LEO Communications Systems Landscape   

Abstract:  In a connected society, it is challenging to fathom that the year 2019 marked the first year in which more than half the world had access to the Internet. For decades, but in particular the past five years, tremendous efforts from government and private sector entities have been made to bring more individuals online, and to realize the economic and arguably social benefits of a connected culture. In her seminar, Whitney Lohmeyer will discuss the technological progress of the satellite communications sector, focusing on low earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications systems including those of OneWeb, SpaceX, and Amazon. Additionally, she will discuss her postgraduate school journey in the private sector and the process of returning to academia as a faculty member at Olin College of Engineering. In doing so, she will share lessons learned along the way, and strategies for pursuing careers in either or both the private sector and academia.