Dr. Anton B. Ivanov is currently the Executive Director for Beyond Earth Exploration at the Technology Innovation Institute in Abu Dhabi, UAE. After receiving his PhD in Planetary Science from Caltech in 2000, Dr Ivanov joined the Jet Propulsion Laboratory to contribute to Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Odyssey, Mars Express (MARSIS), CASSIS and Mars Science Laboratory projects, as well as participated in activities of Team X. In 2007, Dr Ivanov joined the Swiss Space Center at the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (Switzerland) to lead development of the Concurrent Design Facility. There he was responsible for the Minor in SpaAce Technologies and led projects in precise cubesat positioning (CubETH), study phase for an exoplanets observatory (CHEOPS) and participated in mission operations for the SwissCube satellite. At Skoltech (since 2017), Anton was responsible for advancement of methods of systems engineering, concurrent design and utilisation of remote sensing for forest industry. Anton was the principal investigator the SwarmSat project (Skoltech B1/2 satellites) to demonstrate collective decision technologies in space. Currently, Dr. Ivanov is responsible for developing new technologies for space exploration namely in spacecraft artificial intelligence and electric propulsion, in collaboration with various stakeholders in UAE. 

Title: From desert to orbit: space exploration projects in the United Arab Emirates 

 Abstract: The efforts of GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries, which includes the UAE, in space exploration are shrouded in mystery for Western Audiences. We will provide a historical perspective on the nation's ambitious endeavours, highlighting the Emirates Mars Mission, which successfully placed the Hope Probe into Mars' orbit to planet’s atmosphere. The seminar will also cover the UAE's asteroid exploration mission to visit 6 asteroids and land at asteroid (267) Justitia, as well as upcoming lunar missions. Recently, various stakeholders in the UAE are turning their attention to establish Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations for earth observation. Training and capacity-building initiatives will also be presented to demonstrate that the UAE is cultivating a skilled workforce to sustain and advance its space ambitions.

Frederic (Fred) C. Baker

CTO / UNIO Enterprise GmbH (Munich)

UNIO is architecting the future of sustainable, uninterrupted, ubiquitous NTN-TN communications seamlessly integrating meshed orbital assets with networked terrestrial nodes crystalizing a future of global ‘always-available’, secure dual-use connectivity across a unified operational concept within its targeted markets.

A veteran aerospace engineer and trusted executive leadership professional, Fred has had management authority and P&L accountability for highly visible fleet-level satellite communications, earth observation and deep space exploration programs.  His extensive depth and breadth of expertise of end-to-end space, flight and ground operations system architectures, satellite platforms and payload design and definition, satellite and launch vehicle procurement and flight operations readiness has been and continues to be widely sought within the industry.

Fred has defined, supported, negotiated, and secured mission, platform and payload engineering, launch vehicle procurement and flight operations technical specifications and execution contracts across multiple national asset and international programs.  Leadership of technically leveraged engineering teams, architecting current and next generation, state-of-the-art technology developments and roadmaps, representing clients as the “voice of the customer” to diverse Prime spacecraft manufacturers as well as driving integrated PMO teams successfully executing to contract plan are several of the challenges he has demonstrably executed with great success throughout his career.

Currently Chief Technology Officer of UNIO Enterprise, Fred’s P&L accountability focuses upon corporate strategic technology roadmaps, disruptive hardware and software IP-specific developments, and cradle-to-grave execution responsibilities for UNIO’s end-to-end secure, networked, meshed, dual-use and seamlessly orchestrated mission service provisioning systems.

Dr. Cesare Guariniello is a Research Scientist in the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics in Purdue University. He holds two master’s degrees, in Automation and Robotics Engineering, and in Astronautical Engineering, from the University of Rome “La Sapienza”. In 2016, he earned a PhD in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Purdue University, with an award-winning dissertation on System-of-Systems methodologies to support space systems design. His research interests include System-of-Systems design and architecture –including various space applications– cybersecurity, and defense. His research projects have been funded, among others, by NASA, the US Department of Defense, the National Science Foundation, the US Navy, and Lockheed Martin. He recently expanded his research in the field of Earth Sciences, where he is pursuing a master’s degree in Planetary Geology, studying remote sensing for In-Situ Resource Utilization on Mars. He is a senior member of IEEE and AIAA, and member of INCOSE. Outside work, Dr. Guariniello enjoys a wide variety of activities. He represented Purdue University in various fencing collegiate tournaments and served as coach of Purdue Fencing Club. He is a commercial airplane pilot and ground instructor, a sailboat racer, a licensed radio amateur, and holds multiple scuba diving certifications. Since 2017, he participated in six simulated Martian missions as analog astronaut and commander.

Title: 

Challenges of Space Missions Design in the 21st Century – An Academic Perspective

Abstract: 

Very differently than in the early 2000s, when the space community was focused on the development of the International Space Station, on the last Space Shuttle missions, and on planetary probes, the last few years saw the birth of entirely new endeavors in space exploration and human space missions: growth of private companies, commercial space activities, plans for extended permanence and activities on the Moon, development of necessary technologies for long-duration crewed missions beyond Cislunar space. While on the surface and to the layperson, missions like Artemis might look very similar to Apollo missions and plans for human exploration of Mars might seems just an extension of human activities in Low Earth Orbit, the size and complexity of space missions in the 21^st century goes beyond simple (or complicated) integration of a large number of systems. Many other challenges exist, and decision-making for space mission design needs to consider many factors which were not as relevant in the past. For example, a correct understanding of the interactions between large-scale systems is fundamental to ensure the proper operation of a mission and to correctly assess the impact of disruptions; the need of multiple stakeholders must be kept into account; more flexibility is required to address rapidly evolving technological needs and possible changes in mission requirements and objectives. Systems of Systems Engineering, a set of processes, tools, and methods to analyze and design complex aggregate of systems, often developed and/or managed independently, provides support to manage some of the challenges associated with space mission design in the modern era. Academic research in this area has a unique position at the intersection of practical, detailed, real-world applications and fundamental, innovative research.

Dr. Krishna D. Kumar is a Professor of Aerospace Engineering and Director of the Artificial Intelligence for Aerospace Systems (AIAS) Laboratory at Toronto Metropolitan University, Canada. He is also the DAAD Visiting Professor at Julius-Maximilians-University Wuerzburg, Germany, and a visiting Professor at IIT Bombay, India. Additionally, he is the Founder and President of iSAC Systems Inc., a leader in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet-of-Things (IoT), and Smart Systems since 2010. 

Prof. Kumar has made outstanding contributions with major impact in the areas of spacecraft dynamics and control, fault diagnosis and prognosis, artificial intelligence, and predictive analytics. He has over 250 publications, including 5 books, 14 intellectual properties, and four patents. His AI and IoT products have been deployed across diverse industries, including aerospace, transportation, and waste management. His illustrious career includes remarkable achievements such as the development of AI-powered predictive analytics for the NASA Kepler Spacecraft and Aircraft Engines, the world's first 100-gram miniature satellite, and the world's first miniature IoT monitoring systems for Bombardier Trains and Safran Aircraft Landing Gears. 

Title

Innovations in Space Systems – Current Research (including Artificial Intelligence) and Future Challenges

Abstract 

Spacecraft are highly complex systems, comprising various subsystems such as attitude and orbit control, propulsion, and power. These subsystems feature Multiple Input & Multiple Output (MIMO) configurations and exhibit highly nonlinear characteristics. Over recent years, there has been a growing demand for spacecraft with improved performance, fault tolerance, and enhanced autonomous capabilities. This presentation explores how fault diagnosis, prognosis and artificial intelligence can address these requirements. It delves into model-based, data-driven (artificial intelligence), and hybrid approaches, which have been proposed for fault diagnosis, prognosis and recovery. Furthermore, the author has proposed novel methods to meet these evolving demands. These innovative techniques, including nonlinear controllers, Covariance-based adaptive unscented Kalman filter (CAUKF), Binary grid covariance adaptive Kalman filter (GAUKF), Reinforced Unscented Kalman Filter (an integration of UKF and Reinforcement Learning techniques), and Growing Neural Networks (GNN), hold promise for space system enhancement. The presentation will feature case studies illustrating the application of these methods in spacecraft attitude, orbit and formation control systems. By examining the latest advancements and methodologies, attendees will gain insights into the pivotal role these techniques play in enhancing space system reliability and efficiency, ultimately addressing current research challenges and shaping the trajectory of future space systems.

Title: Overview of the James Web Space Telescope

Abstract: This presentation will provide an overview of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and its engineering development process. JWST has succeeded the Hubble Space Telescope in our quest for the first galaxies formed out of the darkness of the early universe. Since its launch in December 2021, JWST has helped us understand how these galaxies evolved over billions of years, how stars and planetary systems form, what exoplanets look like and if they can harbor life. JWST uses a ~6.5-m-diameter primary mirror to collect infrared light, which is sent to four scientific instruments. It operates at the second Sun-Earth Lagrange point and has a five-layer sunshield to be able to operate at cryogenic temperatures. JWST is an international effort of NASA and the European and Canadian Space Agencies.

Eveline is the Founder & CEO of Fortanum. She serves as NewSpace Capital Investment Advisor, Antler Capital Advisor, Roland Berger Advisor and is also a Deal Captain with The Deal Team. 

 
Eveline has 26 years of leadership experience in multi-national environments, having lived and held positions on three different continents. She has built a reputation for strategic thinking and C-Level relationship building with a deep commitment to clients and business partners.  

Most recently, Eveline was a Sr. Advisor and Project Director with AP Capital Investments, accountable for managing the investor strategic plan and equity story, leading leveraged buyout transactions and operational governance. Eveline also represented the shareholders as a Board Observer and originated a multi-billion deal funnel.  
Previously, Eveline developed as a Global Sr. Business Development Manager with Cisco a portfolio of new strategic co-innovation alliances with multi-national industrials to accelerate digital business models. 

She began her career at Siemens Business Services where amongst others she held full Profit & Loss leadership responsibilities and a Global Head of CFO Office role. 
 
Eveline holds a Business Administration master’s degree with honours from Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg and completed executive education with INSEAD and London Business School. 

She is further a member of Level 20 Women in Private Equity. 

Prof. Dr. Yuri Y. Shprits, is a head of Section 2.8 " Magnetospheric Physics" in the GFZ Heimholz Centre in Postdam. 

Yuri Shprits' primarily area of scientific research is understanding the dynamics of the near 

Earth space environment that is hazardous satellites. Prof. Shprits has developed codes to quantify the dynamical evolution of the radiation belts. He has also developed codes to quantify quasi-linear scattering rates due to wave-particle interactions. He has quantified the effects of scattering by ELF/ VLF and ULF waves and identified a number of critical effects associated with radial diffusion, local acceleration and loss of the radiation belt electrons. He is an author of over 190 publications, 11 in Nature Publishing Group journals. His h-index is 47. 

Education: 

• Honors B.Sc., Moskauer Institut für Physik und Technologie, Physik/Angewandte Mathematik, 1997 

• M.S., Universität Oklahoma, Meteorologie, 2001 

• M.S., Universität Kalifornien, Los Angeles, Atmosphärenwissenschaften (Weltraumphysik), 2004 

• Ph.D., GPA 4.0, Universität Kalifornien, Los Angeles, Atmosphärenwissenschaften (Weltraumphysik), 2005 

Prof. Adriano Camps joined the Dept. of Signal Theory and Communications, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), as an Assistant Professor in 1993, Associate Professor in 1997, and Full Professor since 2007. In 1999, he was on sabbatical leave at the Microwave Remote Sensing Lab., of the Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst. Since September 2022 he has been an ASPIRE Visiting International Professor at the UAE University, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi. His research interests are focused on: 1) microwave remote sensing, with special emphasis on microwave radiometry by aperture synthesis (Ph.D. Thesis about the MIRAS instrument, which became the single payload of ESA’s SMOS mission), 2) remote sensing using signals of opportunity (GNSS-R), 3) radio frequency interference detection and mitigation, 4) ionospheric propagation, and 5) nanosatellites as a tool to test innovative remote sensors. His publication record includes over 268 papers in peer-reviewed journals, 9 book chapters, and the book Emery and Camps, “Introduction to Satellite Remote Sensing. Atmosphere, Ocean, Land and Cryosphere Applications,” Elsevier, 2017, 860 pages), and more than 541 conference presentations. According to Google Scholar/Scopus, his h-index is 63/48, and his publications have received more than 15.665/10.817 citations. According to the October 2023 Stanford ranking, he is among the top 2% of researchers in all categories.

Dr. Indranil Chatterjee received his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from Vanderbilt University, USA in 2014. From 2014 to 2016, he worked with the University of Bristol, UK as a Postdoctoral Scientist in GaN power device development and reliability. Since 2016, he is with Airbus in Friedrichshafen, Germany where he is presently the Airbus eXpert in Discrete and Integrated Semiconductor Devices involved in R&D, design, radiation and reliability analysis of critical electronic systems for satellites and interplanetary probes. His research interests include Semiconductor Device Physics, Reliability, Radiation Effects, and, Novel Devices. Dr. Chatterjee is a Senior Member of IEEE, and has authored and co-authored more than 50 publications in international journals and conferences, and, has delivered keynotes and invited talks in US, Europe, Asia, and Australia. 

Dr. Koki Ho is the Dutton-Ducoffe Professor, Associate Professor, and the director of the Space Systems Optimization Group in the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. His research focuses on developing modeling and optimization methods for rigorous space mission analysis and design. Dr. Ho earned his Ph.D. at MIT and his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Tokyo. He is the recipient of the NSF CAREER Award (2020), the NASA Early Career Faculty Award (2019), the DARPA Young Faculty Award (2019), and the Luigi Napolitano Award (2015), and he is a co-author of one of the most downloaded Acta Astronautica articles. Dr. Ho currently serves as a Steering Committee member of the NASA-funded Consortium for Space Mobility and ISAM Capabilities (COSMIC) and the Chair of the AIAA Space Logistics Technical Committee.

In January 2023 Frank was appointed as Acting Vice Governor of Space Sector at Communication, Space and Technology Commission (CST) and was holding the position as Managing Director of Space Sector of the Saudi Space Agency  (SSA) before. Frank supports the build-up and operation of the Space programmes and Space sector of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

20 years ago, Frank started to work for the European Space Agency (ESA) as Head of Innovation and Ventures Office building the largest Space entrepreneurship network in the world, the ESA BICs. His ESA team initiated over 380 industry transfers and aided over 1,500 start-ups. Additionally his office supported over 1,000 downstream business cases. During his ESA career he also headed the Technology Transfer Programm Office (TTPO) as well as the Commercial Development for Human Spaceflight and Exploration unit.

Before joining ESA, Frank held the position of Founder and CFO / COO for an IT start-up, headquartered in Munich, Germany. Frank also spent seven years at Apple Computer, now Apple Inc., as an account and sales manager, responsible for Central Europe.

Frank believes: “We all need more Space”.