Architecture and analysis of telescope arrays for deep space optical communication

Abstract

The use of free space optical communication from deep space promises to revolutionize the capabilities of human and robotic exploration, enabling modern-internet-like data rates throughout the inner solar system. Such an improvement will enhance the potential of space science and exploration by enabling higher rate instruments and imagers, lower latency operational capabilities, and less data lost due to limited on-board storage. The adoption of optical communication in National Aeronautic and Space Administration programs, however, has faced numerous budgetary and technical challenges. Building up the Earth-based telescope infrastructure to support high-rate and energy-efficient optical communication from deep space requires significant capital investment that may take years to become operationally significant. The use of many small telescopes in an array is one solution to this problem. We propose a scalable and cost-efficient telescope array architecture based on the Deep Space Optical Communication project, and analyze the primary communication impairments and performance capabilities for a standards-compliant downlink waveform.