Intersatellite (Nd:YAG) Laser Communications; A System For The 1980's

Abstract

It is now a certainty that laser communication systems will be operating in space within this decade. The development of a laser communications satellite package began this fall and is to be launched in 1979. The system is to operate at 1000 megabits per second. Laser communications technology has proceeded from purely exploratory research just over five years ago to the successful completion and operation this year of an engineering feasibility model of the satellite system. Laboratory tests have verified the system capability at a serial data rate of 1000 megabits per second. Thermal and vibrational tests have been successfully completed to the test levels of the Defense Meteorological Satellite program.