Study of optical inter-orbit communication technology for next generation space data-relay satellite

摘要

JAXA has made efforts to build the next generation space data relay network. The inter-orbit optical links are essential segments for such a network in order to fulfill requirements of high resolution earth observation satellite applications (such as Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) follow-on missions by JAXA) and manned space flight missions. JAXA's R&D activities for advanced optical communication terminals are introduced. The target of the terminals is to establish the optical data relay link between the LEO user satellite and the GEO data relay satellite up to 2.5 Gbps of data-rate. JAXA has started the development of a Bread Board Model (BBM) of the terminal in order to evaluate the feasibility of the terminal. The terminal is aimed to be small and light-weighted, which is helpful for an onboard capability of the LEO satellite. Furthermore, the modulation of carrier and the acquisition and tracking sequence are selected in order to achieve the interoperability of optical space communication systems. We recently study the feasibility of the acquisition and tracking sensor, the waveguide high power amplifier for a transmitter and the homodyne coherent receiver etc. in the development of BBM.