Mission concepts utilizing a Laser Communications and DTN-based GEO relay architecture

Laser Communications and Delay Tolerant Networking (DTN) are two key technologies in development for enhancement of future generation space communications. Laser Communications or lasercom holds the potential for orders of magnitude increases in data rates while also reducing communications system size, weight, and power. DTN will allow for networked communications across space links maximizing network capacity and scalability. These two technologies combined on a geosynchronous Earth relay satellite will enable new and enhanced mission concepts. The Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) project, scheduled for launch in December 2017, will demonstrate these technologies and address the remaining challenges for the new architecture. This paper describes mission concepts that will be demonstrated as part of LCRD with an emphasis on how lasercom and DTN will enable and enhance future mission operations and data return.