CubeSat Laser Communications (CubeSat LaserCom)

ATA proposes to conduct feasibility studies and develop a CubeSat Laser Communications (CubeSat LaserCom) system that enables high data rate communications from a CubeSat to ground terminals, GEO terminals, and other CubeSats. Our proposed CubeSat LaserCom terminal integrates advanced ATA line-of-sight stabilization, tracking and pointing technologies with space-qualified laser and detector technologies into a compact package capable of steering its line of sight over a large (near-hemispherical) field of regard independently of CubeSat body pointing and stabilization. ATAs CubeSat compatible optical communications terminal combines high photon efficiency optical communications technologies with ATAs expertise in stabilization, tracking, and space optical terminals. High photon efficiency optical communications concepts have demonstrated high rate communications with small apertures and low transmitted laser power. The optical head consists of a SWIR camera and optical fiber coupled to share a single focusing & beam collimation optic, which is then aimed by a beam pointing system, such as a coelostat. Transmit and receive paths in the fiber are split using an optical circulator. The system aperture is approximately 15 mm diameter. The terminal is expected to fit within 1.5U, with a weight goal of 10 pounds and an operating power goal of 15 watts.