Precision Optical Tools for Station Keeping

Proposed are optical tools for precision station keeping and communication between multiple satellites or balloons flying in formation. Using optical elements such as energy efficient pulsed or CW laser sources, fast detectors and large field retroreflectors in an innovative fashion, a wide range of flying formats can be accommodated. Depending on such factors as separation distances, acquisition fields and control bandwidths, separation stabilities to sub-mm's for systems operating at microwave frequencies, to stabilities commensurate with spacebased interferometry at optical and infrared wavelengths can be realized.