A report describes a program to develop a multi-function telescope to be carried aboard spacecraft of the planned X2000 series of planetary missions. [A related multi-function telescope was described in "Telescope for Imaging and Laser Communication" (NPO-20388), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 24, No. 1 (January, 2000), page 27a.] An important element of this program is minimization of instrument mass through combination of several optoelectronic subsystems into one telescope system with one aperture for transmission and reception of light. The functions to be performed by the telescope system include scientific imaging, reception of laser-altimeter return signals, and two-way optical communication. The communication functions include transmission of scientific data, reception of commands, and reception and retransmission of laser ranging signals. For communication, the telescope would be aimed at the sunlit Earth, by use of aiming techniques like those summarized in the cited previous article. Rates for transmission of scientific data to Earth from as far away as Jupiter would range from 100 kb/s (day) to 400 kb/s (night). The data rate for reception of commands from Earth would be 2 kb/s. A flight-qualified engineering model of the system is scheduled for completion in the year 2001.
This work was done by James Lesh and Hamid Hemmati of Caltech for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. To obtain a copy of the report, "Laser Communications Terminal for the X2000 Series of Planetary Missions," access the Technical Support Package (TSP) free on-line at www.nasatech.com/tsp under the Physical Sciences category.
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Refer to NPO-20425, volume and number of this NASA Tech Briefs issue, and the page number.
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
Spaceborne Telescope for Communication, Ranging, and Imaging
(reference NPO-20425) is currently available for download from the TSP library.
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Overview
The document outlines the development of a multi-function telescope as part of NASA's Advanced Deep-Space Systems Development Program, known as the X2000 Program. This initiative aims to create advanced technologies for deep-space missions, with a focus on optical communications. The telescope will serve multiple purposes, including scientific imaging, laser altimeter reception, and two-way optical communication, making it a versatile instrument for future planetary missions.
The X2000 Program emphasizes the need for new technologies that can be seamlessly integrated into flight projects. The document highlights the importance of developing these technologies in a way that meets real mission requirements, avoiding the pitfalls of creating solutions that may not align with operational needs. The optical communications terminal being developed will enable two-way communication from distances as far as Europa, one of Jupiter's moons, and will also facilitate ranging and data transmission.
The telescope's design aims to minimize mass by combining several optoelectronic subsystems into a single system with one aperture for both transmission and reception of light. This integration is crucial for the efficiency and effectiveness of the instrument in space missions. The communication capabilities include the transmission of scientific data, reception of commands from Earth, and the ability to receive and retransmit laser ranging signals. The expected data transmission rates range from 100 kb/s during the day to 400 kb/s at night, with command reception rates at 2 kb/s.
The development of the flight-qualified engineering model of the telescope is scheduled for completion in mid-2001, following a structured design process that began with risk-reduction activities in the first year of the program. The document also notes that the work is being conducted by researchers from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) at the California Institute of Technology under NASA's contract.
Overall, this document provides a comprehensive overview of the X2000 Program and the innovative optical communications terminal being developed, highlighting its potential impact on future space exploration and scientific research.
