Key challenges and results in the design of Cubesat Laser Terminals, Optical Heads and Coarse Pointing Assemblies

Key challenges and results in the design of Cubesat Laser Terminals, Optical Heads and Coarse Pointing Assemblies

Dresscher, M.
Human, J.D.
Witvoet, G.
van der Heiden, N.
den Breeje, R.
Kuiper, S.
Fritz, E.C.
Korevaar, C.W.
van der Valk, N.C.J.
de Lange, T.J.
Saathof, R.
Doelman, N.J.
Crowcombe, W.E.
Duque, C.M.
de Man, H.

2019

The anticipated capacity benefit of optical satellite communications has triggered a cascade of technology developments. In this paper, we present three such technologies, namely; i). A cube satellite laser terminal (CubeCAT), ii). A lower Earth orbit satellite optical head (LEOCAT) and iii). A calibration and verification test bench for coarse pointing assemblies, named pointing test bench (PTB). For these technologies, pointing stability and accuracy are central challenges. For i) and ii), we discuss anticipated effects of the thermal and mechanical disturbances that threaten the optical alignment of the system. We furthermore explain the mitigation of these effects through the system design so that a high optical performance can be maintained. For iii), we discuss the mechanical design challenges, in combination with modelling and calibration procedures for the system. Effective dealing with the three of them in turn enables highly accurate mirror orientation and rotation. Design specifications and current status are presented for each system.

Coarse-pointing assembly
Cubesat
Free space optical communications
Ground-support equipment
Laser communication terminal
Laser satellite communications
Low earth orbit
Optical head
Smallsat
Satellite communication systems
Satellites
Calibration and verification
Design specification
Earth-orbit satellites
Mechanical disturbance
Optical performance
Pointing stability

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:5d480952-bf2b-49a3-a736-32bd84481f3a

https://doi.org/10.1109/icsos45490.2019.8978976

876241

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers IEEE, Piscataway, NJ, US

9781728105000

IEEE International Conference on Space Optical Systems and Applications, ICSOS 2019, 14-16 October 2019, Portland, OR, USA

8978976

conference paper