Optical instruments for space-to-ground laser communication

Abstract

Satellite-based communications and services have become a critical piece of infrastructure for our modern society by enabling a range of new bandwidth hungry applications. Communication from space using radio-frequency communication bands have been critical infrastructure for remote operations including scientific data transfer, defence operations, aircraft communications for safety, and maritime connectivity. Current radio-frequency technology is reaching the limit of its capacity to transmit an increasing volume of data from space, such as from the next generation of space science including space telescopes for astronomy, Earth observation, and crewed missions to nearby planetary bodies scheduled for this decade. Show more