Drone-based validation of optical ground stations

Abstract

Optical ground stations for laser communication must be validated before entering service, which today requires a satellite pass: rare, weather-dependent and impossible to repeat on demand. In this ESA ARTES 4.0 activity a drone carries a payload that emulates an optical satellite terminal and is flown against the ground station instead. FHNW is subcontractor to General Atomics Synopta and develops the airborne payload and tracking system, the optical design, the gimbal and fine-steering hardware, the optical modem and the software integration, and carries out the free-space validation measurements. The project concludes with a demonstration flight.