The European Space Agency (ESA) and trends is developing an optical inter-orbit communication system enabling a link between a low earth orbiting (LEO) and a geostationary (GEO) spacecraft. The link allows the transmission of 50 Mbps between LEO and GEO in an experimental and pre-operational mode. The system uses laser diodes of typically 100 mW optical power at a wavelength of 830 nanometer. Direct intensity modulation is applied. Telescopes of 25 cm diameter are used on both terminals. The breadboard phase has been completed and the launch of both terminals is scheduled for 1994. Other concepts for optical space communication links using Nd:YAG lasers and heterodyne receive systems are outlined.
The European SILEX project and other advanced concepts for optical space communications
Das europäische SILEX-Projekt und andere fortgeschrittene Konzepte für optische Weltraumnachrichtentechniken
1991
12 Seiten, 6 Bilder, 2 Tabellen, 19 Quellen
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Englisch
SILEX: overview on the European optical communications programme
British Library Conference Proceedings | 1995
|SILEX: Overview on the European optical communications programme
Online Contents | 1995
|SILEX: The First European Optical Communication Terminal in Orbit
Online Contents | 1998
|Invited Paper: Inter-satellite optical communications: from SILEX to next generation systems
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2004
|British Library Conference Proceedings | 2004
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