On-orbit results of pointing, acquisition, and tracking for the TBIRD CubeSat mission

Kathleen M. Riesing; Curt M. Schieler; Jesse S. Chang; Noah J. Gilbert; Andrew J. Horvath; Robert S. Reeve; Bryan S. Robinson; Jade P. Wang; Paaras S. Agrawal; Robert A. Goodloe

doi:10.1117/12.2651957

15 March 2023 On-orbit results of pointing, acquisition, and tracking for the TBIRD CubeSat mission

Kathleen M. Riesing, Curt M. Schieler, Jesse S. Chang, Noah J. Gilbert, Andrew J. Horvath, Robert S. Reeve, Bryan S. Robinson, Jade P. Wang, Paaras S. Agrawal, Robert A. Goodloe

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 12413, Free-Space Laser Communications XXXV; 1241305 (2023) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2651957
Event: SPIE LASE, 2023, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Since launch in May 2022, the TeraByte Infrared Delivery (TBIRD) payload on a 6U CubeSat has successfully demonstrated 100/200 Gbps laser communications and has transferred >1 TB in a pass from low Earth orbit to ground. To support the narrow downlink beam needed for high rate communications, the payload provides pointing feedback to the host spacecraft to precisely track the ground station throughout the 5-minute pass. This paper presents the on-orbit results of the pointing and tracking system for TBIRD, including initial acquisition and closed-loop tracking performance of 20-35 μrad RMS per axis. Results from on-orbit characterization of the transmit beam are also presented. Measurements of Tx/Rx alignment show stability within 20 μrad, ensuring that tracking on the uplink accurately points the downlink.

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Kathleen M. Riesing, Curt M. Schieler, Jesse S. Chang, Noah J. Gilbert, Andrew J. Horvath, Robert S. Reeve, Bryan S. Robinson, Jade P. Wang, Paaras S. Agrawal, and Robert A. Goodloe "On-orbit results of pointing, acquisition, and tracking for the TBIRD CubeSat mission", Proc. SPIE 12413, Free-Space Laser Communications XXXV, 1241305 (15 March 2023); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2651957

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