Optical satellite communication space terminal technology at TNO

Rudolf Saathof*, Will Crowcombe, Stefan Kuiper, Nick Van Der Valk, Federico Pettazzi, Dorus De Lange, Peter Kerkhof, Martijn Van Riel, Harry De Man, More Authors

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedings/Edited volumeConference contributionScientificpeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Optical communications will complement radio frequency (RF) communications in the coming decades to enhance throughput, power efficiency and link security of satellite communication links. To enable optical communications technology for intersatellite links and (bi-directional) ground to satellite links, TNO develops a suite of technologies in collaboration with industry, which comprises of terminals with different aperture sizes, coarse pointing assemblies and fast steering mirrors. This paper presents the current state of the development of TNO technology for optical space communications. It mainly focuses on the development of an optical head with an entrance aperture of 70 mm, an optical bench for CubeSats and coarse pointing assemblies (CPAs). By continuing these steps, world wide web based on satellite communications will come closer.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationInternational Conference on Space Optics, ICSO 2018
EditorsZoran Sodnik, Nikos Karafolas, Bruno Cugny
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Electronic)9781510630772
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018
Externally publishedYes
EventInternational Conference on Space Optics, ICSO 2018 - Chania, Greece
Duration: 9 Oct 201812 Oct 2018

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume11180
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Conference

ConferenceInternational Conference on Space Optics, ICSO 2018
Country/TerritoryGreece
CityChania
Period9/10/1812/10/18

Keywords

  • Coarse pointing assemblies
  • Optical satellite communications
  • Optical space terminals

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