LCTSX: first on-orbit verification of a coherent optical link

Coherent optical intersatellite links for high data rate transmission shall be verified in orbit for the first time in conjunction with the TerraSAR-X mission scheduled for launch in 2005. The Optical Terminals are developed and currently built at Tesat-Spacecom with funding support from the German Space Agency (DLR). Detailed results will be presented on terminal design, performance and program status.