Citation
Abstract
The performance of candidate optical communication systems for deep space that would use a single optical ground station in conjunction with various space terminals is reported here. We considered three potential diameters of ground receive terminals (4, 8, and 12 m) and three potential ground transmit powers (1, 5, and 10 kW). Combinations of ground receive terminals, ground transmit terminals, and spacecraft terminals were assessed for data rate and volume (both uplink and downlink), and for uplink irradiance needed to enable downlink pointing, in the context of a set of 12 design reference missions. Raw physical link performance was assessed assuming clear weather conditions with conservative desert daytime turbulence, using communication link parameters that were optimized according to previously reported methods using the Strategic Optical Link Tool (SOLT). Also, realistic bad weather conditions were considered, assuming a random process that could at any time make transitions between two states: a cloud-free state and a cloudy state that completely interrupts data transmission. We compared the link performance achievable under our assumptions to the anticipated requirements associated with the design reference missions to determine the degree of satisfaction possible with various optical segments. Nine potential operating concepts for an optical communication system were described, and two were evaluated in detail for the Mars 2022 mission opportunity: raw data delivery and automatic repeat request for complete data delivery.
Details
- Volume
- 42-205
- Published
- May 15, 2016
- Pages
- 1–17
- File Size
- 479.2 KB