<title>Experimental operations of laser communication equipment onboard ETS-VI satellite</title>

Abstract

The first ground-to-satellite laser communication experiments were performed during December 1994 and July 1996 to demonstrate basic technologies for space laser communication systems. It used an optical communication package onboard the Engineering Test Satellite VI and its companion ground optical terminals. A bi-directional optical communication link over 40000 km was demonstrated with precise transmission control of extremely narrow laser beams at both onboard and ground terminals. In the paper, the experimental operations performed in the demonstration are introduced in context with acquisition method for various technical data useful for evaluating the terminal characteristics.