Technology needs for next-generation space-borne lasercom systems

The deployment of laser communications (lasercom) in space depends upon the availability of key technologies that can support these challenging missions. The development of these technologies is important in broadening the addressable applications that lasercom can support. In addition to surviving long-term missions in a hostile environment, a premium is placed upon new techniques and devices that can reduce the on-board size, weight, and DC power consumption by the lasercom payload, while maintaining high reliability. Specific requirements for these next-generation systems are discussed here, with examples of emerging technologies that appear to be insertion candidates.