Publication Date:
2019-07-13
Description:
A number of space agencies, including NASA, are considering free-space laser communications as a means for returning higher data-rates from future space missions. In this paper, potential deep-space missions are evaluated to show that with optical communication a 10x increase relative to state-of-the art telecommunication systems could be achieved. The maximum deep-space distance where ground transmitted laser beacons could assist acquisition and tracking; and operating points where optical communication performance degrades faster than the inverse square distance are also discussed.
Keywords:
Space Communications, Spacecraft Communications, Command and Tracking
Type:
SPIE Photonics West; Jan 21, 2012 - Jan 26, 2012; San Francisco, CA; United States
Format:
text
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