Professional Life

Satellite Communications Executive
(COMSAT, Intelsat)

In 1969, Pelton joined the Communications Satellite Corporation as a satellite communications analyst. After serving as Manager of Interim Communications Satellite Committee (ICSC) Affairs for COMSAT, Pelton moved to Intelsat in 1974 to work as Executive Assistant of the Director General. Ultimately, he was promoted to Director of Strategic Policy and Director of Project SHARE (Satellites for Health and Rural Education). This program, carried out in cooperation with the International Institute of Communications (IIC), provided free satellite access for over 40 educational and health related projects to benefit over 100 countries around the world. One of these projects pioneered the Chinese National TV University in rural China. In 1986, Pelton left Intelsat to pursue a full-time academic career.

ACTS - one of the many satellites Dr. Pelton worked with in his career

Academic Career

Throughout the 1980s, while working for Intelsat, Dr. Pelton taught as an adjunct professor in the School of International Service at American University in Washington, D.C. In 1986, he left Intelsat to become Professor and Director of the Interdisciplinary Telecommunications Program (ITP) and Director of the Center for Advanced Research in Telecommunications and Technology (CARTT) at the University of Colorado-Boulder. This graduate student program, through its on campus programs, tele-education programs, and special programs with AT&T, U.S. West, Lucent Technologies, the International Communications Association, supported graduate degree programs and training for over 300 students from around the world and 22 states in the United States.

From 1998 to 2010, Pelton joined George Washington University (GWU) as a research professor in the School of Engineering and Applied Science. At GWU, he served as Director of the Accelerated Masters Program in Telecommunications and Computers at the GWU Virginia Science & Technology Campus and as Director of the Space and Advanced Communications Research Institute (SACRI). Additionally, he was associated with the Institute of Advanced Space Research, headed by Dr. Burton Edelson.

During his sabbatical and leave of absence period from the University of Colorado, Pelton served as Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the International Space University (ISU) in Strasbourg, France and in Vienna, Austria during the years 1996-1997. Dr. Pelton has continued to teach for the International Space University for various programs such as their Southern Hemisphere Program in Adelaide, Australia and their Space Studies Programs at over a dozen locations around the world over the last three decades.”.

In honor of the Pelton family of inventors, such as Lester Allan Pelton (Pelton Water Wheel and hydro-electric turbine), Willis Pelton (corn-picking machines) and I.W. Pelton (parking meter), the Pelton Award was established at GWU. The award goes to the top senior projects in the School of Engineering and Applied Science each year with a first, second and third place with cash awards. This endowed award has been in place since 2010. Scores of students have now benefited from the the Pelton award. Those projects that are "green" and "patent-able" are given extra incentive awards.

At Georgetown University, The Pelton Family endowed award is selected through the Entrepreneurship Program. It is for the top entrepreneurial project each year that is involves the best new "green" initiative.

Other Organizational Activities

U.S. Managing Director of World Communications (1983)

In 1983, Reagan appointed former AT&T President Bill Ellinghaus to lead the U.S. Committee for World Communications Year. Ellinghaus selected Pelton as the Managing Director of this committee, where he led the launching of the Arthur C. Clarke Foundation and supported other related activities for that celebration of the World Communications Year.

International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety (IAASS)

Pelton served as the Executive Board and Chair of International Academic Committee for the International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety (IAASS). Additionally, he was a keynote speaker at the Founding Conference of the IAASS that met in Nice, France in 2004. Dr. Pelton has, since the establishment of the Board, served on its Executive Board and chaired its International Academic Committee. He received the IAASS's Leonardo da Vinci Life Time Achievement Award in 2017 in Toulouse, France.

Global Legal Information Network (GLIN)

Pelton was the founding president of the Global Legal Information Network (GLIN) Foundation. The GLIN was a cooperative project between NASA and the U.S. Library of Congress. It was established to support global electronic network hosting all of the laws of the countries in the world. In 2012, the GLIN was shut down as a result of the cost of the project, as it was considered too large to sustain its long-term existence.

World Future Society

Joseph N. Pelton and John Naisbitt, author of Megatrends, in Madrid, Spain

Arlington County Work

Pelton has been active in the Arlington County community for many years. He served as the President of the Alcova Heights Civic Association and President of the PTA of the Barcroft Elementary School in the early 1970s. He served as the President of the Arlington County Civic Federation in 1975-76, when the nation celebrated its 200th anniversary of independence. Pelton received the Evening Star Cup Award in 1977 for his service as President of the Federation.

He was a member of the Arlington Long Range County Improvement Planning Program in 1976-77. This high-level effort was key to deciding the alignment of the Metro system in Arlington, the general characteristics of the Rosslyn-Ballston development corridor, and other aspects of County planning for the next half century. He also led the initial efforts to restore the bridge on South Walter Reed Drive on Four Mile Run after Hurricane Agnes, and led the redevelopment of Shirlington area and the creation of Shirlington Village. He co-chaired the Yes for Arlington Parks bond issue that led to the funding of the Northern Virginia Parks Authority in 1977. In 1978, he ran to be a member of the Arlington County Board endorsed by the Arlingtonians for a Better Party and the Democratic Party.

Most recently, he served as Chair of the Civic Federation's 100th anniversary in 2016. Pelton, after returning to Arlington County from working in Colorado and Europe, served as a member and then Chair of the Arlington Cable Television Commission. In 2010, he drafted new articles to create the Arlington County Information Technology Advisory Commission where he served as chair 2010-2016.