Demonstration of a modular, scalable, laser communication terminal for human spaceflight missions

Steven R. Gillmer; Corrie V. Smeaton; Jamie W. Burnside; James Torres; William Hubbard; Casey Bennett; Catherine DeVoe; John A. Wellman; Justin J. Rey; Michael J. Zervas; Farzana I. Khatri; Tina Shih; Owen Guldner; Mark Padula; Bryan S. Robinson

doi:10.1117/12.2599014

11 August 2021 Demonstration of a modular, scalable, laser communication terminal for human spaceflight missions

Steven R. Gillmer, Corrie V. Smeaton, Jamie W. Burnside, James Torres, William Hubbard, Casey Bennett, Catherine DeVoe, John A. Wellman, Justin J. Rey, Michael J. Zervas, Farzana I. Khatri, Tina Shih, Owen Guldner, Mark Padula, Bryan S. Robinson

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 11816, Optomechanics and Optical Alignment; 118160E (2021) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2599014
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2021, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Free-space laser communication systems are increasingly implemented on state of the art satellites for their high-speed connectivity. This work outlines a demonstration of the Modular, Agile, Scalable Optical Terminal (MAScOT) we have developed to support Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) to deep-space communication links. In LEO, the MAScOT will be implemented on the International Space Station to support the Integrated Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) LEO User Modem and Amplifier Terminal (ILLUMA-T) program. ILLUMA-T's overarching objective is to demonstrate high bandwidth data transfer between LEO and a ground station via a geosynchronous (GEO) relay satellite. Outside of LEO, the MAScOT will be implemented on the Artemis-II mission to demonstrate high data rate optical communications to and from the moon as part of the Optical to Orion (O2O) program. Both missions leverage the same modular architecture despite varying structural, thermal, and optical requirements. To achieve sufficient performance, the terminal relies on a nested tracking loop to realize sub-arcsecond pointing across a ±120 ° elevation and ±175° azimuth field of regard.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Steven R. Gillmer, Corrie V. Smeaton, Jamie W. Burnside, James Torres, William Hubbard, Casey Bennett, Catherine DeVoe, John A. Wellman, Justin J. Rey, Michael J. Zervas, Farzana I. Khatri, Tina Shih, Owen Guldner, Mark Padula, and Bryan S. Robinson "Demonstration of a modular, scalable, laser communication terminal for human spaceflight missions", Proc. SPIE 11816, Optomechanics and Optical Alignment, 118160E (11 August 2021); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2599014

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available