Marcus Vilaça is currently the Technical Advisor to the Yahsat CEO, following over six years in Yahsat CTO’s role. Marcus joined Yahsat in April 2014 and has over 40 years of experience in the satellite industry, bringing hands-on experience in the design of satellite communications systems for Embratel, SES, and Inmarsat. He has experience in satellite communications systems engineering and has designed satellite systems for Fixed, Broadcast, and Mobile applications, operating at L, S, C, Ku, and Ka-band.
At Yahsat, Marcus led the Al Yah 3 system’s procurement and deployment, including the Al Yah 3 satellite, associated ground segment, and products. He also designed and led the Thuraya Next Generation System’s procurement until his move to the advisory position. As CTO, Marcus was also responsible for the Yahsat fleet’s operations and its vast ground segment and product development.
His previous accomplishments include the conception, design, and specification of the Inmarsat 5/GX system, the technical lead in negotiating the Co-operation Agreement between Inmarsat and Light Squared, and the conception, design, and specification of the I4/BGAN system. Earlier in his career, he was a key member of the Astra 1A/1B and Brasilsat A1/A2 teams. Marcus received the MacRobert Award from the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2010 and the Innovators Award from the Mobile Satellite Users Association in 2008. He is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, a Fellow of the IET, and a Chartered Engineer of the British Engineering Council.
He holds a BSc degree (First Class) in telecommunications engineering from Federal Fluminense University of Rio de Janeiro, an MSc degree in telecommunications systems from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, and a Post Graduate degree in Economics from the School of Oriental and African Studies of the University of London.
