A flexible low-cost optical communications ground terminal at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Robert Lafon, Armen Caroglanian, Haleh Safavi, Nikki Desch, Victoria C. Wu, Manuel Buenfil, Patrick L. Thompson, Scott A. Merritt, Steve Hall, Howard Garon, Daniel A. Paulson, John V. Speer, Mark Wilson, Ron Miller, Tom R. Haas, Bruce Trout, R. H. Mason, jerome hengemihle, Jeffrey Guzek
Abstract
We present the status of ongoing work at NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) to build a low-cost flexible ground terminal for optical communication. Previous laser communication missions at NASA have been supported by one-of-akind ground terminals built specifically for each mission. If NASA is to build a global network of optical terminals to enable widespread use of optical communications, then a blueprint for an economical ground terminal able to support a variety of missions is needed. With this goal in mind, NASA is constructing a ground terminal in Greenbelt, Maryland to enable testing of new ground terminal technologies from industry to academia.