Abstract
Laser technology will outperform microwave technology for wideband data links between earth-orbiting satellites. Potential applications are common-carrier relay and data recovery for low earth-orbiting satellites. The level of the resulting telecommunications demand is estimated through the year 1990. System performance parameters which will be critical to future users and the optical effects of the dynamic atmosphere are presented. Recent laboratory component measurements are used to estimate system performance, and the requirements for integration of laser terminals on typical spacecraft are analyzed. Practical applications appear feasible within typical satellite weight allowances. A 1 Gigabit/second terminal for a low-altitude earth-orbiting satellite will weight approximately 95 Ibs. Laser and microwave links are compared on the basis of the burden imposed on the host spacecraft, measured in terms of total weight and costs. The laser costs (a low-altitude satellite-to-geosynchronous satellite link is predicted to cost about {dollar}1.66 million in 1971 dollars) are estimated to be one-half the microwave cost at most, and potentially less than one-half. On the basis of costs-per-data-bit-transferred, the laser link will cost approximately 1/100 of the systems currently in use. A development program is recommended for the introduction of laser terminals into the operational inventory. It is estimated that two years will be required to conclusively demonstrate technical feasibility. If funding is then committed to a demonstration and evaluation flight, complete flight qualification will require three to four additional years. This, operational designs can be achieved about six years from go-ahead. The program is estimated to cost about {dollar}58 million, in 1971 dollars. Based upon the demonstrated need, immediate funding is recommended.
O'Hern, Wayne Laverne (1973). System operational analysis of the feasibility of spaceborne laser communications. Doctoral dissertation, Texas A&M University. Texas A&M University. Libraries. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /DISSERTATIONS -157574.