Planning constraints of low grazing altitude GEO-LEO laser links based on in-orbit data

Uwe Sterr; Daniel Dallmann; Frank Heine; Daniel Tröndle; Rolf Meyer; Michael Lutzer; Edoardo Benzi

doi:10.1117/1.OE.55.11.111608

10 August 2016 Planning constraints of low grazing altitude GEO-LEO laser links based on in-orbit data

Uwe Sterr, Daniel Dallmann, Frank Heine, Daniel Tröndle, Rolf Meyer, Michael Lutzer, Edoardo Benzi

Author Affiliations +

Optical Engineering, Vol. 55, Issue 11, 111608 (August 2016). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.OE.55.11.111608

Abstract

Part of the operational concept for laser communication networks such as the European data relay system is planning constraints. In addition to hard constraints such as angular range of the actuators, there is also the atmosphere, which has a gradual increasing impact as the distance between laser beam path and earth decreases. The shortest distance between the laser beam path and the surface of the earth is called “grazing altitude.” The atmosphere impacts spatial acquisition as well as communication performance. In-orbit measurement data of geostationary orbit–low-Earth orbit (GEO-LEO) links between two laser communication terminals (LCT) developed by TESAT-Spacecom, Germany, in the frame of Alphasat TDP1 optical GEO-relay demonstration program are presented. Planning constraint guidelines are formulated based on the observed influence. TESAT-Spacecom’s LCTs use a highly sensitive and high-performance coherent transmission technology and a beaconless spatial acquisition system.

Citation Download Citation

Uwe Sterr, Daniel Dallmann, Frank Heine, Daniel Tröndle, Rolf Meyer, Michael Lutzer, and Edoardo Benzi "Planning constraints of low grazing altitude GEO-LEO laser links based on in-orbit data," Optical Engineering 55(11), 111608 (10 August 2016). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.OE.55.11.111608

Published: 10 August 2016

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