Experimental Verifications on Small Optical Inter-Satellite Communication System for Small and Micro Satellites

Small optical inter-satellite links introduced into small and micro satellites on Low Earth Orbit (LEO) are designed as a bread board model (BBM) and experimentally verified its fundamental functions as well as image transmission demonstrations. Proposed inter-satellite link terminal is designed for connecting satellites through 4500 (km) long at maximum with several tens of Mbps. To miniaturize the terminal design, optical disk techniques are introduced into the optics as well as the control mechanisms. The gimbal system is designed to cover wider angle to keep pointing to the next satellite while satellites are in their own maneuvers. The experimental verifications are shown that the fine pointing mechanism in the transmission optics keep its pointing accuracy around 10 (mu rad) with the gimbal system which covers more than 500 (mrad). The image transmission demonstration shows the combination of pointing mechanism works under estimated maneuver of micro satellites.