Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

FROM an ordinary motorist who got lost and can’t find his way home, to a family watching their favorite Pinoy teleserye, to a special operations soldier in Iraq running from the enemy, satellites in space provide so much of what the world needs today.

Although initially developed to meet military needs, new ways to use satellites have been expanded to help improve the quality of everyday life. There are the commercial communications satellites that give us the internet, weather forecasting and cable television. We also benefit much from the satellites that make up the Global Positioning System (GPS), which provide precise directions, help save lives and property across the world. And there are the hundreds of military satellites, providing reconnaissance data; communications links for troops on the ground, ships at sea and aircraft in flight; precise targeting data for cruise missiles and smart bombs; and instant warning of missile launches etc. Truly, satellites in space have changed our world and have played such a large role in the lives of individuals and nations.

It would interest every Filipino to know that one of the world’s designers of satellites is a fellow kababayan, Yvette Dominguez. She is a manager in Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), one of the world’s premier designers, manufacturers, and integrators of powerful geostationary satellites and satellite systems. Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, SS/L designs, builds, and tests satellites, subsystems, and payloads; provides orbital testing; procures insurance and launch services; and manages mission operations for commercial and governmental customers. In alliances and partnerships with leading US and overseas space and communications companies, the company has created a world-class presence in the satellite industry - addressing customer needs today while building the world of tomorrow. Among other honors, SS/L has won the coveted Goddard Contractor Excellence Award from NASA, crediting the company’s performance for the agency.

Last October 2008, Yvette Dominguez was one of only three people all over the world awarded by the Society of Satellite Professionals International (SSPI)- the Future Leaders Awards.

The Society of Satellite Professionals International is a nonprofit member-benefit society that serves satellite professionals around the world. Through their annual Awards, SSPI honors the extraordinary achievement by satellite professionals and the companies they work for. Yvette Dominguez was honored with the Promise Awards, which recognizes young leaders in the satellite communications industry. In giving Dominguez the Award, SSPI recognized her distinguished work as having "made a difference in the satellite industry".