A new method for optical data transmissions from satellites using laser arrays for laser beam pointing. Combines a lens system and a vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL)/Photodetector Array, both mature technologies, in a novel way. With further development, possible applications include communications from the Earth to spacecraft in Earth orbit and in deep space, such as at the moon and Mars. A possible application is to the Artemis Program for CubeSats in low-Lunar Orbit (LLO), which use body pointing, by providing a fine pointing capability. This system has been applied to satellites in low-Earth orbit, (LEO), in a study using computer simulations of the laser beam propagation.


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    Title :

    Free-Space Optical Communication for Spacecraft and Satellites including CubeSats in Low Earth Orbit (LEO)


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    Advance Photonics Congress ; 2019 ; Burlinggame, CA, United States


    Publication date :

    2011-06-29


    Type of media :

    Miscellaneous


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English