Key Challenges and Results in the Design of Cubesat Laser Terminals, Optical Heads and Coarse Pointing Assemblies

M. Dresscher; C.W. Korevaar; N.C.J. van der Valk; T.J. de Lange; R. Saathof; Niek Doelman; W.E. Crowcombe; C.M. Duque; H. de Man; J.D. Human; Gert Witvoet; N. van der Heiden; R. den Breeje; S. Kuiper; E.C. Fritz

doi:10.1109/ICSOS45490.2019.8978976

Key Challenges and Results in the Design of Cubesat Laser Terminals, Optical Heads and Coarse Pointing Assemblies

M. Dresscher
, C.W. Korevaar
, N.C.J. van der Valk
, T.J. de Lange
, R. Saathof
, Niek Doelman
, W.E. Crowcombe
, C.M. Duque
, H. de Man
, J.D. Human
, Gert Witvoet
, N. van der Heiden
, R. den Breeje
, S. Kuiper
, E.C. Fritz

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › Academic › peer-review

26 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The anticipated capacity benefit of optical satellite communications has triggered a cascade of technology developments. In this paper, we present three such technologies, namely; i). A cube satellite laser terminal (CubeCAT), ii). A lower Earth orbit satellite optical head (LEOCAT) and iii). A calibration and verification test bench for coarse pointing assemblies, named pointing test bench (PTB). For these technologies, pointing stability and accuracy are central challenges. For i) and ii), we discuss anticipated effects of the thermal and mechanical disturbances that threaten the optical alignment of the system. We furthermore explain the mitigation of these effects through the system design so that a high optical performance can be maintained. For iii), we discuss the mechanical design challenges, in combination with modelling and calibration procedures for the system. Effective dealing with the three of them in turn enables highly accurate mirror orientation and rotation. Design specifications and current status are presented for each system.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	2019 IEEE International Conference on Space Optical Systems and Applications, ICSOS 2019
Publisher	Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
ISBN (Electronic)	978-1-7281-0500-0
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/ICSOS45490.2019.8978976
Publication status	Published - 3 Feb 2020
Externally published	Yes
Event	2019 IEEE International Conference on Space Optical Systems and Applications, ICSOS 2019 - Portland, United States Duration: 14 Oct 2019 → 16 Oct 2019

Conference

Conference	2019 IEEE International Conference on Space Optical Systems and Applications, ICSOS 2019
Country/Territory	United States
City	Portland
Period	14/10/19 → 16/10/19

Funding

The development of LEOCAT has been supported by the ESA Artes program. The development of CubeCAT is supported by the Nationaal technologie programma (NTP) of the Dutch MoD, the Europees fonds voor regionale ontwikkeling (EFRO) & Hyperion Technologies B.V.

Funders
European Regional Development Fund
Hyperion Technologies B.V.
European Space Agency

Keywords

coarse-pointing assembly
cubesat
Free space optical communications
ground-support equipment
laser communication terminal
laser satellite communications
low earth orbit
optical head
satellite
smallsat

Access to Document

10.1109/ICSOS45490.2019.8978976

Cite this

Dresscher, M., Korevaar, C. W., van der Valk, N. C. J., de Lange, T. J., Saathof, R., Doelman, N., Crowcombe, W. E., Duque, C. M., de Man, H., Human, J. D., Witvoet, G., van der Heiden, N., den Breeje, R., Kuiper, S., & Fritz, E. C. (2020). Key Challenges and Results in the Design of Cubesat Laser Terminals, Optical Heads and Coarse Pointing Assemblies. In 2019 IEEE International Conference on Space Optical Systems and Applications, ICSOS 2019 Article 8978976 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICSOS45490.2019.8978976

@inproceedings{c9f230b3fe454d11a4dec36620f11b93,

title = "Key Challenges and Results in the Design of Cubesat Laser Terminals, Optical Heads and Coarse Pointing Assemblies",

abstract = "The anticipated capacity benefit of optical satellite communications has triggered a cascade of technology developments. In this paper, we present three such technologies, namely; i). A cube satellite laser terminal (CubeCAT), ii). A lower Earth orbit satellite optical head (LEOCAT) and iii). A calibration and verification test bench for coarse pointing assemblies, named pointing test bench (PTB). For these technologies, pointing stability and accuracy are central challenges. For i) and ii), we discuss anticipated effects of the thermal and mechanical disturbances that threaten the optical alignment of the system. We furthermore explain the mitigation of these effects through the system design so that a high optical performance can be maintained. For iii), we discuss the mechanical design challenges, in combination with modelling and calibration procedures for the system. Effective dealing with the three of them in turn enables highly accurate mirror orientation and rotation. Design specifications and current status are presented for each system.",

keywords = "coarse-pointing assembly, cubesat, Free space optical communications, ground-support equipment, laser communication terminal, laser satellite communications, low earth orbit, optical head, satellite, smallsat",

author = "M. Dresscher and C.W. Korevaar and \{van der Valk\}, N.C.J. and \{de Lange\}, T.J. and R. Saathof and Niek Doelman and W.E. Crowcombe and C.M. Duque and \{de Man\}, H. and J.D. Human and Gert Witvoet and \{van der Heiden\}, N. and \{den Breeje\}, R. and S. Kuiper and E.C. Fritz",

year = "2020",

month = feb,

day = "3",

doi = "10.1109/ICSOS45490.2019.8978976",

language = "English",

booktitle = "2019 IEEE International Conference on Space Optical Systems and Applications, ICSOS 2019",

publisher = "Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers",

address = "United States",

note = "2019 IEEE International Conference on Space Optical Systems and Applications, ICSOS 2019 ; Conference date: 14-10-2019 Through 16-10-2019",

}

Dresscher, M, Korevaar, CW, van der Valk, NCJ, de Lange, TJ, Saathof, R, Doelman, N, Crowcombe, WE, Duque, CM, de Man, H, Human, JD, Witvoet, G, van der Heiden, N, den Breeje, R, Kuiper, S & Fritz, EC 2020, Key Challenges and Results in the Design of Cubesat Laser Terminals, Optical Heads and Coarse Pointing Assemblies. in 2019 IEEE International Conference on Space Optical Systems and Applications, ICSOS 2019., 8978976, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, 2019 IEEE International Conference on Space Optical Systems and Applications, ICSOS 2019, Portland, United States, 14/10/19. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICSOS45490.2019.8978976

Key Challenges and Results in the Design of Cubesat Laser Terminals, Optical Heads and Coarse Pointing Assemblies. / Dresscher, M.; Korevaar, C.W.; van der Valk, N.C.J. et al.
2019 IEEE International Conference on Space Optical Systems and Applications, ICSOS 2019. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, 2020. 8978976.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › Academic › peer-review

TY - GEN

T1 - Key Challenges and Results in the Design of Cubesat Laser Terminals, Optical Heads and Coarse Pointing Assemblies

AU - Dresscher, M.

AU - Korevaar, C.W.

AU - van der Valk, N.C.J.

AU - de Lange, T.J.

AU - Saathof, R.

AU - Doelman, Niek

AU - Crowcombe, W.E.

AU - Duque, C.M.

AU - de Man, H.

AU - Human, J.D.

AU - Witvoet, Gert

AU - van der Heiden, N.

AU - den Breeje, R.

AU - Kuiper, S.

AU - Fritz, E.C.

PY - 2020/2/3

Y1 - 2020/2/3

N2 - The anticipated capacity benefit of optical satellite communications has triggered a cascade of technology developments. In this paper, we present three such technologies, namely; i). A cube satellite laser terminal (CubeCAT), ii). A lower Earth orbit satellite optical head (LEOCAT) and iii). A calibration and verification test bench for coarse pointing assemblies, named pointing test bench (PTB). For these technologies, pointing stability and accuracy are central challenges. For i) and ii), we discuss anticipated effects of the thermal and mechanical disturbances that threaten the optical alignment of the system. We furthermore explain the mitigation of these effects through the system design so that a high optical performance can be maintained. For iii), we discuss the mechanical design challenges, in combination with modelling and calibration procedures for the system. Effective dealing with the three of them in turn enables highly accurate mirror orientation and rotation. Design specifications and current status are presented for each system.

AB - The anticipated capacity benefit of optical satellite communications has triggered a cascade of technology developments. In this paper, we present three such technologies, namely; i). A cube satellite laser terminal (CubeCAT), ii). A lower Earth orbit satellite optical head (LEOCAT) and iii). A calibration and verification test bench for coarse pointing assemblies, named pointing test bench (PTB). For these technologies, pointing stability and accuracy are central challenges. For i) and ii), we discuss anticipated effects of the thermal and mechanical disturbances that threaten the optical alignment of the system. We furthermore explain the mitigation of these effects through the system design so that a high optical performance can be maintained. For iii), we discuss the mechanical design challenges, in combination with modelling and calibration procedures for the system. Effective dealing with the three of them in turn enables highly accurate mirror orientation and rotation. Design specifications and current status are presented for each system.

KW - coarse-pointing assembly

KW - cubesat

KW - Free space optical communications

KW - ground-support equipment

KW - laser communication terminal

KW - laser satellite communications

KW - low earth orbit

KW - optical head

KW - satellite

KW - smallsat

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85084846367

U2 - 10.1109/ICSOS45490.2019.8978976

DO - 10.1109/ICSOS45490.2019.8978976

M3 - Conference contribution

AN - SCOPUS:85084846367

BT - 2019 IEEE International Conference on Space Optical Systems and Applications, ICSOS 2019

PB - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

T2 - 2019 IEEE International Conference on Space Optical Systems and Applications, ICSOS 2019

Y2 - 14 October 2019 through 16 October 2019

ER -

Dresscher M, Korevaar CW, van der Valk NCJ, de Lange TJ, Saathof R, Doelman N et al. Key Challenges and Results in the Design of Cubesat Laser Terminals, Optical Heads and Coarse Pointing Assemblies. In 2019 IEEE International Conference on Space Optical Systems and Applications, ICSOS 2019. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. 2020. 8978976 doi: 10.1109/ICSOS45490.2019.8978976

Key Challenges and Results in the Design of Cubesat Laser Terminals, Optical Heads and Coarse Pointing Assemblies

Abstract

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Keywords

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