Direct detection optical relay satellite for deep-space communication

G. Stephen Mecherle; Wade Akle; Charles John Starkus; James Eugene Klein

doi:10.1117/12.184643

16 August 1994 Direct detection optical relay satellite for deep-space communication

G. Stephen Mecherle, Wade Akle, Charles John Starkus, James Eugene Klein

Proceedings Volume 2123, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies VI; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.184643
Event: OE/LASE '94, 1994, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

This paper describes an earth orbiting Deep Space Relay Satellite System (DSRSS) based on optical direct detection communication for the user spacecraft to DSRS link. The optical direct detection DSRSS is considered as a possible augmentation to the Deep Space Network (DSN), after the 70 meter antennas are upgraded to Ka Band near the turn of the century. While development is required, the extrapolation from current technology appears relatively straightforward, and the direct detection system appears capable of exceeding an order of magnitude improvement over the upgraded Ka Band DSN. For example, with a 75 cm aperture on the user spacecraft, the optical direct detection system provides a capability of 1.23 Mbps at Pluto, a 13 dB advantage over the upgraded DSN. The direct detection system can also provide 0.83 Mbps with a 60 cm user aperture, an 11 dB improvement.

Citation Download Citation

G. Stephen Mecherle, Wade Akle, Charles John Starkus, and James Eugene Klein "Direct detection optical relay satellite for deep-space communication", Proc. SPIE 2123, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies VI, (16 August 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.184643

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