Inertially stabilized two-axis gimbal for space laser communication systems: design description and test results

Russell R. Mellon; William J. Owen

doi:10.1117/12.18225

1 July 1990 Inertially stabilized two-axis gimbal for space laser communication systems: design description and test results

Russell R. Mellon, William J. Owen

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 1218, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies II; (1990) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.18225
Event: OE/LASE '90, 1990, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

The design of an inertially stabilized 2-axis gimbal for use with space laser communications systems is presented along with test results obtained for this gimbal during operation within static and induced vibration disturbance environments. When operated in a seismically quiet background environment, the gimbal has demonstrated a closed loop line-of-sight (LOS) angular stability of 38 nanoradians, 2-axis, 1 sigma, RMS. When exposed to an input vibration disturbance force of 1 milli-G, RMS, (simulating a worst case disturbance environment anticipated for space operational use) the LOS stability remains better than 100 aRad over a frequency range of 0-1 KHz. The experimental apparatus, test methodology, probable error sources and error magnitudes are described.

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Russell R. Mellon and William J. Owen "Inertially stabilized two-axis gimbal for space laser communication systems: design description and test results", Proc. SPIE 1218, Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies II, (1 July 1990); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.18225

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