The Ground/Orbiter Lasercomm Demonstration (GOLD) is a demonstration of optical communications between the Japanese Engineering Test Satellite (ETS-VI) and an optical ground transmitting and receiving station at the Table Mountain Facility in Wrightwood, California. Laser transmissions to the satellite are performed for approximately 4 hours every third night when the satellite is at apogee above Table Mountain. Transmissions to the ETS-VI began in November 1995 and are scheduled to last into the middle of January 1996, when the satellite is expected to be eclipsed by the Earth's shadow for a major part of its orbit. The eclipse is expected to last for about 2 months, and during this period there will be limited electrical power available on board the satellite.
Overview of the Gold Experiment Between the ETS-6 Satellite and the Table Mountain Facility
1996
12 pages
Report
Keine Angabe
Englisch
Unmanned Spacecraft , Spacecraft Trajectories & Flight Mechanics , Space Launch Vehicles & Support Equipment , Optical communication , Satellite communication , Satellite ground support , Satellite transmission , Downlinking , Earth observations (From space) , Ground support equipment , Uplinking , Reprints