OLSG Report_Final_06_05_12 - Interagency Operations Advisory ...

Optical Link Study Group (OLSG) Final Report
IOAG.T.OLSG.2012.V1
Table of Contents
Executive Summary ................................................................................................................... 6
1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 10
1.1 Charter ...................................................................................................................... 10
1.2 Motivation ................................................................................................................ 10
1.3 Scope ........................................................................................................................ 10
1.4 Methodology ............................................................................................................ 11
2 Space-Earth Mission Scenarios: Basic Concept of Operations ...................................... 13
2.1 Concept of Operations ............................................................................................. 13
2.1.1 Driving Factors in a ConOps .................................................................................. 13
2.2 Mission ConOps ........................................................................................................ 14
2.2.1 Line of Sight .......................................................................................................... 14
2.2.2 Acquisition ............................................................................................................ 16
2.2.3 Data Transfer ........................................................................................................ 17
2.3 Space Link Design ..................................................................................................... 17
2.3.1 Downlink ............................................................................................................... 17
2.3.2 Uplink (Beacon) .................................................................................................... 23
2.3.3 Modulation and Detection ................................................................................... 28
2.3.4 Operating With Small Sun Angles ......................................................................... 28
2.4 ConOps Basic Elements in Any Optical Communications Scenario ......................... 30
2.4.1 Space Terminal ..................................................................................................... 30
2.4.2 Ground Terminal ................................................................................................... 31
2.4.3 Space Relay Terminal ............................................................................................ 32
2.4.4 Mission Operations Center ................................................................................... 32
2.4.5 Weather and Atmospheric Monitoring Equipment ............................................. 33
3 Space-Earth Mission Scenarios ...................................................................................... 37
3.1 Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Scenario ................................................................................ 37
3.1.1 Concept of Operations.......................................................................................... 37
3.1.2 Space Terminal ..................................................................................................... 42
3.1.3 Ground Terminal ................................................................................................... 51
3.1.4 CFLOS Analysis ...................................................................................................... 53
3.1.5 Link Budget ........................................................................................................... 57
3.1.6 Ground Station Cost ............................................................................................. 59
3.1.7 Business Case ........................................................................................................ 60
3.2 Highly Elliptical Earth Orbit (HEO) Scenario ............................................................. 61
3.3 Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) Scenario ............................................................... 61
3.4 Lunar Scenario .......................................................................................................... 61
3.4.1 Concept of Operations.......................................................................................... 61
3.4.2 Space Terminal ..................................................................................................... 66
3.4.3 Ground Terminal ................................................................................................... 67
3.4.4 CFLOS Analysis ...................................................................................................... 67
3.4.5 Link Budget ........................................................................................................... 69
3.4.6 Ground Station Cost ............................................................................................. 72
3.4.7 Business Case ........................................................................................................ 72
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