Session
Session 2: Advanced Technologies 1
Abstract
Many small satellite missions are data constrained, with payloads generating more data than can be sent to Earth over radio downlinks. To address this, we have developed a novel optical downlink system, comprising a space and ground terminal. The space terminal projects a 1 W laser beam with wavelength 785 nm, on-off modulated at 1 Gbps. It aims this at the ground station using a MEMS steering mirror, guided by an integral star tracker and rate sensors. The ground station is a 22” reflecting telescope with a fine steering mirror at the focal plane and a silicon avalanche photodiode detector. The use of a semiconductor tapered power amplifier, in place of a traditional doped fiber amplifier, makes this compact and low power. We believe this technology will allow even smaller spacecraft to carry data-intensive payloads.
Presentation
The Rainbow Connection - Why Now is the Time for Smallsat Optical Downlinks
Many small satellite missions are data constrained, with payloads generating more data than can be sent to Earth over radio downlinks. To address this, we have developed a novel optical downlink system, comprising a space and ground terminal. The space terminal projects a 1 W laser beam with wavelength 785 nm, on-off modulated at 1 Gbps. It aims this at the ground station using a MEMS steering mirror, guided by an integral star tracker and rate sensors. The ground station is a 22” reflecting telescope with a fine steering mirror at the focal plane and a silicon avalanche photodiode detector. The use of a semiconductor tapered power amplifier, in place of a traditional doped fiber amplifier, makes this compact and low power. We believe this technology will allow even smaller spacecraft to carry data-intensive payloads.
