Design of space laser communication optical module

Satellite laser communication hardware design that supports space-based optical communications, and successful hardware demonstrations, are presented for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) terminals. For inter-satellite links (ISL), the design of an optical module has been optimized to support satellite-to-satellite relays. Providing optical line-of-sight (LOS) stabilization, the Optical Bench Assembly (OBA) is the modular component that includes the LOS jitter rejection control loop system, which stabilizes the transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx) data channels. The jitter rejection system design of the OBA is described. The demonstrated performance is reported for the nested control loop rejecting the host platform’s on-orbit vibration profile.