PAGE CONTENTS
Objectives
The project objectives are:
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Establishment of the critical operational parameters for classical space optical communication to operate on the 1.3 m telescope of Skinakas Observatory in Crete, Greece. Design of the OGS terminal. Design of a fast-reacting active optics module to compensate for beam wobbling due to turbulence.
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Development of active optical stabilisation including lasers and electronics, tested in the laboratory and installed on the telescope of Skinakas Observatory.
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Demonstration of optical communication with a satellite in LEO orbit.
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Preparation of a quantum channel interface for future use.
Challenges
Α key challenge is the weather conditions and the effect of atmospheric turbulence and signal attenuation at the receiver end.
Another difficulty will be that the satellite will be visible from the OGS only for a few minutes, during which time the link needs to be established and the communication performed.
Finally, the OGS technology concerns a non-established, highly innovative market, thus, there is a considerable uncertainty as to the optical communication standards that will be employed and the availability of suitable satellites.
System Architecture
During the activity, the following subsystems will be implemented:
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Focal plane instrumentation, capable of detecting and high-speed tracking of satellites visible by illumination from sunlight, or by their laser beams.
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Man-machine interface and telescope tracking software for spacecraft in LEO and beyond.
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Data reception according to the optical on-off keying (O3K) standard (in the optical C-and L-bands as implemented in CCSDS).
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A separate quantum channel (i.e., the optical I/F to a quantum channel shall be implemented in this activity, while the quantum channel functionality is not part of this activity).
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UL beacon supporting data transmission according to the optical on-off keying (O3K) standard (at 1590 nm wavelength as implemented in CCSDS).
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Transmitter and receiver alignment system.
A block diagram of the envisaged architecture can be seen below:
Plan
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MS1: Requirements and System Scenario scheduled for June 2023
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MS2: Baseline Architecture and Interfaces scheduled for September 2023
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MS3: Preliminary Design Review, Detailed design scheduled for December 2023
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MS4: Implementation and Integration scheduled for January 2025
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MS5: Test Campaign and V&V plan scheduled for March 2025
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MS6: Test Readiness Review scheduled for May 2025
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MS6: Site Acceptance Review scheduled for May 2025
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MS7: Dissemination Plan and Development Roadmap scheduled for June 2025
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MS8: Final Review and Final Settlement scheduled for June 2025
Current Status
The activity kicked-off in May 2023 and reached MS1 in July 2023.
Work currently in progress.
