Early results from NASA’s laser communications relay demonstration (LCRD) experiment program

David J. Israel; Bernard L. Edwards; Richard L. Butler; John D. Moores; Sabino Piazzolla; Nic du Toit; Lena Braatz

doi:10.1117/12.2655481

15 March 2023 Early results from NASA’s laser communications relay demonstration (LCRD) experiment program

David J. Israel, Bernard L. Edwards, Richard L. Butler, John D. Moores, Sabino Piazzolla, Nic du Toit, Lena Braatz

Proceedings Volume 12413, Free-Space Laser Communications XXXV; 1241303 (2023) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2655481
Event: SPIE LASE, 2023, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) mission began its two-year Experiment Program in June 2022. This experimental phase includes long-term measurement of the effects of the atmosphere (turbulence, weather) on the performance and availability of lasercom. Furthermore, various future operational scenarios including robotic and exploration missions and various network service configurations are being emulated. In addition to experiments and demonstrations proposed by the LCRD Investigator Team, NASA enables individuals and groups from government agencies, academia, and industry to propose experiments under the LCRD Guest Experimenters Program. This conference paper provides highlights of the early LCRD experiments and a preview of the future experiments, including relaying data to and from the Integrated LCRD Low- Earth Orbit (LEO) User Modem and Amplifier Terminal (ILLUMA-T) on the International Space Station. The LCRD geosynchronous payload includes two laser communications terminals interconnected via an onboard electronic switch, and can relay information between two optical ground stations located in California and Hawaii. LCRD is a joint project involving NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory (MIT LL).

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

David J. Israel, Bernard L. Edwards, Richard L. Butler, John D. Moores, Sabino Piazzolla, Nic du Toit, and Lena Braatz "Early results from NASA’s laser communications relay demonstration (LCRD) experiment program", Proc. SPIE 12413, Free-Space Laser Communications XXXV, 1241303 (15 March 2023); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2655481

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available