Citation
Abstract
Stars are currently used to evaluate the pointing performance of the Hybrid Radio Frequency (RF)/Optical receiver, but stars are not suitable for communications, ranging, and science applications. We propose to create modulated artificial optical sources on the Moon by illuminating one or more of the five Apollo retro-reflectors from the ground, using existing resources. This will ensure the continued development and testing of optical communications, ranging, and science protocols suitable for deep-space applications at the conclusion of the Psyche mission. Realistic planetary rotation and orbital trajectories, atmospheric turbulence, and signal power commensurate with the photon-starved deep-space optical channel will be made possible due to the “inverse distance-to-the-fourth” power law characteristic of radar reflections.
Details
- Volume
- 42-226
- Published
- August 15, 2021
- Pages
- 1–25
- File Size
- 3.5 MB