NASA NTRS · 20060040865
Introduction to free space optical communications.
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Wright, M., Wilson, K., Biswas, A., Ortiz, G.. 1999-09-22. Laser Technologies for Deep Space Optical Communications. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20060040865
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This paper provides the status of ongoing work at NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) to build a low-cost flexible ground terminal for optical communication. For laser communication to be cost-effective for future missions, a global network of flexible optical terminals must be put in place. There is a need for a single ground terminal design capable of supporting multiple missions ranging from LEO to lunar distances. NASA’s Low-Cost Optical Terminal (LCOT) has a single modular design that can be quickly reconfigured to support different laser communications missions. The LCOT prototype uses a 70cm commercially available telescope designed with optical and quantum communications in mind. This telescope is currently being integrated with a state-of-the-art adaptive optics system, and novel high-power laser amplifier demonstrate its utility as an optical communications receiver by receiving a downlink from the recently launched Laser Communication Relay Demonstration (LCRD). LCOT uses commercially available components wherever possible, and where commercial options are not available, the LCOT team works with vendors to create commercial options. This paper discusses the development progress for the blueprint of NASA’s future global ground terminal network.
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The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) completed its two-year experiment program in June 2024. The LCRD geosynchronous payload includes two laser communications terminals interconnected via an onboard electronic switch. The payload relays data between two optical ground stations located in California and Hawaii and can also exchange data with an RF ground station in New Mexico. The addition of the Integrated LCRD Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) User Modem and Amplifier Terminal (ILLUMA-T) on the International Space Station in 2023 enabled data relay demonstrations between a laser terminal in low Earth orbit and either one of the optical ground stations or the RF ground station. The experiment program has included a variety of experiments originating within the LCRD project, NASA, and industry. The experiments have included measurements of the effects of the atmospheric optical channel (turbulence, weather) on the performance and availability of laser communications, adaptive optics characterization, demonstration of optimetrics techniques, and demonstration of Delay/Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN). Furthermore, various future operational scenarios including robotic and exploration missions and various network service configurations have been emulated. This conference paper provides an overview and highlights of the LCRD experiment program with an emphasis on activities and results since the start of the ILLUMA-T testing in December 2023. A discussion of the expectations for the next phase of the LCRD mission, as well as how LCRD results may be applied to future applications is also included. LCRD is a joint project involving NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), the California Institute of Technology Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory (MIT LL).