Deep-Space Optical Terminals (DOT)

Hemmati, H.; Farr, W. H.; Biswas, A.; Birnbaum, K. M.; Roberts, W. T.; Quirk, K.; Townes, S.

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NASA NTRS · 20120004240

Deep-Space Optical Terminals (DOT)

Hemmati, H.·Farr, W. H.·Biswas, A.·Birnbaum, K. M.·Roberts, W. T.·Quirk, K.·Townes, S.

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Abstract

A conceptual design study titled Deep-Space Optical Terminals was recently completed for an optical communication technology demonstration from Mars in the 2018 time frame. We report on engineering trades for the entire system, and for individual subsystems including the flight terminal, the ground receiver and the ground transmitter. A point design is described to meet the requirement for greater than 0.25 Gb/s downlink from the nearest distance to Mars of 0.42 AU with a maximum mass and power allocation of 40 kg and 110 W. Furthermore, the concept design addresses link closure at the farthest Mars range of 2.7 AU. Maximum uplink data-rate of 0.3 Mb/s and ranging with 30 cm precision are also addressed.

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Hemmati, H., Farr, W. H., Biswas, A., Birnbaum, K. M., Roberts, W. T., Quirk, K., Townes, S.. 2011-01-01. Deep-Space Optical Terminals (DOT). https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20120004240

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