TeraNet: a three-node optical ground station network in Australia

Benjamin P. Dix-Matthews; Shane M. Walsh; David R. Gozzard; Shawn P. P. McSorley; Skevos F. E. Karpathakis; Ayden S. McCann; Alex M. Frost; Sascha W. Schediwy

doi:10.1117/12.3022251

13 March 2024 TeraNet: a three-node optical ground station network in Australia

Benjamin P. Dix-Matthews, Shane M. Walsh, David R. Gozzard, Shawn P. P. McSorley, Skevos F. E. Karpathakis, Ayden S. McCann, Alex M. Frost, Sascha W. Schediwy

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 12877, Free-Space Laser Communications XXXVI; 1287721 (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3022251
Event: SPIE LASE, 2024, San Francisco, California, United States

Conference Poster

Abstract

TeraNet aims to establish a three-node optical ground station network in Australia to support high-speed data downlinking from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and beyond. The network is comprised of two 0.7m static ground stations situated at the University of Western Australia (UWA) and the Mingenew Space Precinct (300km north of UWA), and one 0.4m mobile ground station that will initially be commissioned at the European Space Agency’s Deep Space Network ground station in New Norcia (100km north of UWA). This network, strategically located with southern sky access and sharing a time zone with ⪆24% of the world’s population, will enhance global coverage and meet the evolving needs of international space missions. Additionally, the three-node architecture will offer unique opportunities to explore LEO line-of-sight handover during adverse weather conditions. Construction of this network has commenced, with two ground stations already on sky. We will present on our progress and preliminary results.

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Benjamin P. Dix-Matthews, Shane M. Walsh, David R. Gozzard, Shawn P. P. McSorley, Skevos F. E. Karpathakis, Ayden S. McCann, Alex M. Frost, and Sascha W. Schediwy "TeraNet: a three-node optical ground station network in Australia", Proc. SPIE 12877, Free-Space Laser Communications XXXVI, 1287721 (13 March 2024); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3022251

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