The future of NASA’s Space Communications

NASA’s efforts in the evolution of space communication technologies, from Ka-band to optical communications, will be discussed. The focus will be on how these advancements will enable the future of space exploration and contribute to the commercialization of space.

Badri Younes
Deputy Associate Administrator, Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN), NASA Headquarters

Mr. Younes is presently the Deputy Associate Administrator, responsible for NASA Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN). He is responsible for all activities associated with NASA’s space communications and navigation policy, infrastructure and services, as well as spectrum management and data standards. Mr. Younes leads and manages the SCAN Program Office at NASA Headquarters and oversees all NASA telecommunications and navigation projects and networks, including NASA’s Space Network (SN), Near-earth Network (NEN), and Deep Space Network (DSN). Mr. Younes leads the transformation of all NASA communications networks into a single unified, cohesive and integrated much more capable network. He is also responsible for the development of enabling transformational technologies critical to meeting the Agency’s vision for an integrated SCaN architecture aligned with NASA’s future space exploration needs.

 Prior to returning to NASA in 2007, Mr. Younes was the Department of Defense (DoD) Director for Spectrum Management with responsibility for spectrum policy and strategic planning and implementation for the DoD. Under his leadership, the Department has successfully negotiated major win-win agreements with the Federal Communications Commission, National Telecommunications Information Administration, and the U.S. private sector. He had successfully led the DoD spectrum management organization to become more proactive in addressing radio frequency (RF) and spectrum issues and has been instrumental in transforming the management and use of the electromagnetic spectrum within and outside the Department. He has played a lead and positive role in developing the Presidential Initiative Recommendations on Spectrum Reform.

 Mr. Younes’ experience spans over thirty years of leadership in microwave and RF systems engineering, digital and analogue signal processing, Electronics and technology. His interpersonal skills and rich linguistic ability have been instrumental in furthering U.S. objectives both nationally and abroad. He has over twenty years of involvement in various forums of the International Telecommunications Union, and has provided direct support to U.S. ambassadors to three World Radio Conferences. Prior to joining the Department of Defense, Mr. Younes successfully managed the RF systems engineering and spectrum management for NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center Space and Ground Networks. He had also successfully managed to completion the design and implement ion of NASA's Second TDRS Ground Terminal (STGT) at the White Sands, New Mexico.

 Mr. Younes is a recipient of a number of recognition and performance awards. In particular, the 2005 Meritorious Presidential Rank Award. He is a member of Tau Beta Pi, engineering honor society. He holds a Masters in Electronics Engineering from Catholic University of America and had completed all his PhD requirements except for the dissertation.