Dr. Roberto J. Acosta is a senior engineer at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field in Cleveland, Ohio. He is currently the principal investigator for technology verification experiments for geostationary and low-Earth-orbit radio propagation at the Ka-band frequency. He is also the lead investigator for Ka-band phased-array antenna system characterization and rain fade compensation techniques.

Dr. Acosta earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Puerto Rico, his master’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Toledo, and his doctoral degree in electrical engineering from the University of Akron. He has over 25 years experience in communications technology research and development at NASA and 2 years of satellite communication industry experience at Hughes Aircraft Company (now Boeing).

Dr. Acosta has authored and coauthored over 40 technical publications in the area of spacecraft antenna analysis, Ka-band rain fade compensation, phased-array antenna systems characterization, thermal distortion compensation, and experimental radio propagation results at Ka-band. He has received numerous NASA awards, including the NASA Engineering Achievement Medal for his work with Ka-band multibeam antenna analysis, design, and on-orbit performance measurement for the Advanced Communication Technology Satellite (ACTS). Dr. Acosta is an inductee into the Space Technology Hall of Fame for his technical achievements in advancing the state-of-the-art in Ka-band multibeam antenna technology. He serves as a technical consultant for other NASA centers and industry in Ka-band antenna technology, Ka-band propagation, and phased-array antenna system characterization. He is often invited to give technical presentations at national and international conferences, workshops, university colloquia, and research institutes.

Acosta, R.; Zaman, A.M.; Bobinsky, E.A.; Cherrette, A.R.; and Lee, S.W.: Case Study of Active Feed Compensation With Sidelobe Control for Reflector Surface Distortion. International IEEE AP S Symposium, Syracuse, NY, 1988.

Acosta, R.; and Zaman, A.: Analytical Approximation of a Distorted Reflector Surface Defined by a Discrete Set of Points. Antenna Application Symposium, Monticello, IL, 1988.

Zaman, A.; Lee, R.Q.; and Acosta, R.: Array Trade-Off Study Using Multilayer Parasitic Subarrays. Antenna Application Symposium, Monticello, IL, 1988.

Acosta, R.; and Zaman, A.: Adaptive Feed Array Compensation System for Reflector Antenna Surface Distortion. International IEEE AP S Symposium, San Jose, CA, 1989.

Zimmerman, M.; Lee, S.W.; Houshmand, B.; Rahmat-Samii, Y.; and Acosta, R.: A Comparison of Reflector Antenna Design for Wide-Angle Scanning. International IEEE AP S Symposium, San Jose, CA, 1989.

Acosta, R.; Larko, J.M.; and Narvaez, A.: Advanced Communication Technology Satellite (ACTS) Multibeam Antenna Analysis and Experiment. International IEEE AP S Symposium, Chicago, IL, 1992.

Acosta, R.; Larko, J.M.; and Lagin, A.R.: Advanced Communication Technology Satellite (ACTS) Multibeam Antenna Technology Verification Experiments. International IEEE AP S Symposium, Chicago, IL, 1992.

Acosta, R.; Wright, D.; and Regier, F.: ACTS On-Orbit Multibeam Antenna Pattern Measurements. AIAA, San Diego, CA, 1994.

Acosta, R.: Advanced Communication Technology Satellite (ACTS) Multibeam Antenna Analysis and On-Orbit Performance. Second International Ka Band Utilization Conference, Florence, Italy, 1996.

Acosta, R.: ACTS USAT 20 and 30 GHz Depolarization Effects Due to Rain & Snow. Ninth ACTS Propagation Studies Workshop (APSW IX) Meeting, Herndon, VA, 1996.

Acosta, R.: ACTS 20 and 30 GHz Fade Beacon System On-Orbit Performance. Ninth ACTS Propagation Studies Workshop (APSW IX) Meeting, Herndon, VA, 1996.

Acosta, R.; Manning, R.; Cox, T.; and Johnson, S.: Two Years ACTS Propagation Data in Cleveland. Proceedings of 21st NASA Propagation Experimenters (NAPEX XXI) Conference, El Segundo, CA, 1997.

Acosta, R.; Reinhart, R.; Kifer, D.; and Emrich, C.: Wet Antenna Studies at LeRC. Proceedings of 21st NASA Propagation Experiments (NAPEX XXI) Conference, El Segundo, CA, 1997.

Acosta, R.; Reinhart, R.; Lee, R.; and Simons, R.: Ultra Small Aperture Terminal for Ka Band Satcom. Wireless and Microwave Technology Conference, Chantilly, VA, 1997.

Acosta, R.; Emrich, C.; and Wilson, W.: Wet Antenna Studies at LeRC. 10th ACTS Propagation Studies Workshop (APSW X) Meeting, Boca Raton, FL, 1997.

Emrich, C.; and Acosta, R.: Case Study on Fade Rate Computation on Methods. 10th ACTS Propagation Studies Workshop (APSW X) Meeting, Boca Raton, FL, 1997.

Emrich, C.; Acosta, R.; Wilson, W.; and Kalu, A.: Narrow Angle Diversity Study at FSEC. 10th ACTS Propagation Studies Workshop (APSW X) Meeting, Boca Raton, FL, 1997.

Acosta, R.: Rain Fade Compensation Alternatives for Ka Band Communication Satellites. Third International Ka Band Utilization, Sorrento, Italy, 1997.

Acosta, R.: Antenna Wetting Effects on Ka-Band Low Margin System. Fourth International Ka Band Utilization, Venice, Italy, 1998.

Acosta, R.: Secondary Pattern Computation of an Offset Reflector Antenna. NASA TM 87160, 1985.

Lam, P.T.; Lee, S.W.; and Acosta, R.: Secondary Pattern Computation of an Arbitrarily Shaped Main Reflector. NASA TM 87162, 1985.

Acosta, R.: Computation of the Radiation Characteristics of a Generalized Phased Array. NASA TM 87185, 1986.

Lee, R.Q.; Smetana, J.; and Acosta, R.: A Design Concept for an MMIC Microstrip Phased Array. NASA TM 88834, 1986.

Acosta, R.: Active Feed Array Compensation for Reflector Antenna Surface Distortions. Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Akron, Akron, OH, 1988.

Pinero, L.R.; Christian, J.L.; and Acosta, R.J.: Microwave Beam Power Transmission at an Arbitrary Range. NASA TM 105424, 1992.

Acosta, R.J.; and Lagin, A.: Analysis of a Generalized Dual Reflector Antenna System Using Physical Optics. NASA TM 105425, 1992.