Publication Date:
2019-07-13
Description:
A conceptual design study titled Deep-Space Optical Terminals was recently completed for an optical communication technology demonstration from Mars in the 2018 time frame. We report on engineering trades for the entire system, and for individual subsystems including the flight terminal, the ground receiver and the ground transmitter. A point design is described to meet the requirement for greater than 0.25 Gb/s downlink from the nearest distance to Mars of 0.42 AU with a maximum mass and power allocation of 40 kg and 110 W. Furthermore, the concept design addresses link closure at the farthest Mars range of 2.7 AU. Maximum uplink data-rate of 0.3 Mb/s and ranging with 30 cm precision are also addressed.
Keywords:
Space Communications, Spacecraft Communications, Command and Tracking
Type:
Photonics West - Free Space Optical Communications; Jan 22, 2011 - Jan 27, 2011; San Francisco, CA; United States
Format:
text
