Title :
Optical Intersatellite Communication
Author :
Sodnik, Zoran ; Furch, Bernhard ; Lutz, Hanspeter
Author_Institution :
TEC-M, Eur. Space Agency, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Abstract :
This paper describes the achievements in optical intersatellite communication based on technology developments that started in Europe (European Space Agency) more than 30 years ago. In 2001, the world-first optical intersatellite communication link was established (between the SPOT-4 and Advanced Relay and TEchnology MIssion Satellite (ARTEMIS) satellites), proving that optical communication technologies can be reliably mastered in space. In 2006, the Japanese Space Agency (JAXA) demonstrated a bidirectional optical link between its Optical Inter-Orbit Communications Engineering Test Satellite and ARTEMIS, and in 2008, the German Space Agency (DLR) established an intersatellite link between the near-field infrared experiment and TerraSAR-X satellites already based on the second generation of laser communication technology.
Keywords :
artificial satellites; optical links; satellite communication; space communication links; ARTEMIS; European Space Agency; SPOT-4; advanced relay and technology mission satellite satellites; laser communication technology; optical communication; optical intersatellite communication; Artificial satellites; Communications technology; Europe; Gas lasers; High speed optical techniques; Optical fiber communication; Optical transmitters; Relays; Semiconductor lasers; Space technology; Coherent modulation; free-space laser communication technology; intersatellite communication;
Journal_Title :
Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of
DOI :
10.1109/JSTQE.2010.2047383
