Since launch in May 2022, the TeraByte Infrared Delivery (TBIRD) payload on a 6U CubeSat has successfully demonstrated 100/200 Gbps laser communications and has transferred >1 TB in a pass from low Earth orbit to ground. To support the narrow downlink beam needed for high rate communications, the payload provides pointing feedback to the host spacecraft to precisely track the ground station throughout the 5-minute pass. This paper presents the on-orbit results of the pointing and tracking system for TBIRD, including initial acquisition and closed-loop tracking performance of 20-35 μrad RMS per axis. Results from on-orbit characterization of the transmit beam are also presented. Measurements of Tx/Rx alignment show stability within 20 μrad, ensuring that tracking on the uplink accurately points the downlink.


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    Titel :

    On-orbit results of pointing, acquisition, and tracking for the TBIRD CubeSat mission


    Beteiligte:

    Kongress:

    Free-Space Laser Communications XXXV ; 2023 ; San Francisco,California,United States


    Erschienen in:

    Proc. SPIE ; 12413


    Erscheinungsdatum :

    15.03.2023





    Medientyp :

    Aufsatz (Konferenz)


    Format :

    Elektronische Ressource


    Sprache :

    Englisch



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