Coherent detection optical relay satellite for deep-space communications

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

doi:10.1117/12.184648

16 August 1994 Coherent detection optical relay satellite for deep-space communications

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

Proceedings Volume 2123, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies VI; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.184648
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 coherent detection communication for the user spacecraft to DSRS link. The optical coherent 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 significant development is required and technical complexity issues remain, the coherent optical system appears capable of achieving the desired order of magnitude improvement relative to the Ka Band DSN. For example, the coherent optical system provides a capability of 670 kbps at Pluto (40 A.U.), a 10.4 dB improvement over the upgraded DSN.

Citation Download Citation

G. Stephen Mecherle, Wade Akle, Charles John Starkus, James Eugene Klein, and Gerald W. Holleman "Coherent detection optical relay satellite for deep-space communications", Proc. SPIE 2123, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies VI, (16 August 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.184648

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