NASA's Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) Experiment Program: Characterization and Initial Operations

David J. Israel; Bernard L. Edwards; Richard L. Butler; John D. Moores; Sabino Piazzolla; Jonathan Woodward; Alan Hylton; Nic Du Toit; Lena E. Braatz

NASA NTRS · 20230018608

NASA's Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) Experiment Program: Characterization and Initial Operations

David J. Israel·Bernard L. Edwards·Richard L. Butler·John D. Moores·Sabino Piazzolla·Jonathan Woodward·Alan Hylton·Nic Du Toit·Lena E. Braatz

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Abstract

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) completed the first 18 months of its Experiment Program in December 2023. Geosynchronous-ground experiments to date have included demonstrations of optimetrics and of Delay/Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN), and measurements of the effects of the atmosphere on lasercom performance and availability. Future operational scenarios have been emulated. This paper provides an overview and highlights of the first 18 months of LCRD experiments, and a preview of the upcoming experiments, including relaying data to and from the International Space Station.

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David J. Israel, Bernard L. Edwards, Richard L. Butler, John D. Moores, Sabino Piazzolla, Jonathan Woodward, Alan Hylton, Nic Du Toit, Lena E. Braatz. NASA's Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) Experiment Program: Characterization and Initial Operations. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20230018608

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