Analysis compares communications systems operating at microwave and optical frequencies for application to Mars mission in early 1970's; characteristics of present and future laser and microwave systems are compared, and their effects on complete satellite systems are evaluated; evaluations of flight-qualified 2-w gas laser and 50-w S-band microwave systems, based on state-of-the-art projections, indicate that microwave system can maintain data rate of 186,000 bits/sec (bps) using direct vehicle-to-Earth link, whereas laser system can maintain data rates of 1860 bps using direct vehicle-to-Earth link, and 426 bps using Earth-orbiting satellite relay link.
Lasers vs microwaves in space communications
J Spacecraft Rockets
Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets ; 3 , n 6 ; p 818-827
1966
10 pages
Article (Journal)
English
© Metadata Copyright Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.
Lasers vs microwaves in space communications.
AIAA | 1966
|Lasers vs microwaves for deep-space communications.
NTRS | 1967
|Microwaves in aviation - communications and control
Tema Archive | 1994
|Washington Report Lasers challenge microwaves for power-relay system
British Library Online Contents | 2000
Lasers for deep space optical communications
NTRS | 2018
|