Laser transmitter/receiver systems for NASA optical communications applications in planetary missions

The costs and risks associated with launch of large spacecraft systems has caused NASA to stress the use of smaller micro and mini spacecraft missions for deep space. This has give rise to a large number 84 proposed Discovery-class missions that weigh only a few hundred kilograms and occupy only about one cubic meter. At the same time, many of the planets have already had the initial flyby missions and now more in-depth investigations producing larger volumes of data are desired. This “more for less” emphasis creates a need for advanced technology solutions that can accommodate the current fiscal and technical constraints. Laser communications is a technology that is ideally suited to such applications