A series of three experiments proposed for advanced optical deep-space communications is described. These proposed experiments would be carried aboard the Space Station to test and evaluate the capability of optical instruments to conduct data communication and spacecraft navigation for deep-space missions. Techniques for effective data communication, precision spacecraft ranging, and accurate angular measurements will be developed and evaluated in a spaceborne environment. The technology needed to assemble large space structures will be applied to construct a large aperture, segmented mirror, non-diffraction limited photon bucket capable of receiving downlink data from as far as 1000 astronomical units. In addition to testing the basic functions on communication and spacecraft navigation, these experiments will also evaluate the performance of supporting subsystems needed to carry out spacecraft acquisition, tracking, laser modulation, and data detection. Successful completion of these experiments is needed to guarantee the eventual deployment of an orbiting optical receiving station. The latter will be capable of supporting deep-space communications activities for the next century.


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    Title :

    Space Station-Based Deep-Space Optical Communication Experiments


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies ; 1988 ; Los Angeles,CA,United States


    Published in:

    Publication date :

    1988-05-02





    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



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