Deep space optical communications

TLDR

Deep‑space exploration demands higher telecommunication capacity, driving advances in free‑space laser communication technologies that have been validated through space‑to‑ground demonstrations and are now progressing toward the DSOC technology demonstration on NASA’s roadmap. This paper summarizes JPL’s ongoing preparations for the DSOC demonstration and discusses the drivers for establishing a robust operational deep‑space laser communication capability. The Psyche Mission will host a DSOC flight laser transceiver to conduct link demonstrations from 0.1 to beyond 2 astronomical units, while JPL’s activities support this effort. Validated capabilities from the DSOC demonstration are expected to accelerate the deployment of optical communication infrastructure around Mars over the coming decades.

Abstract

The future demand for enhanced telecommunication capacity required to support human and robotic exploration from deep-space has motivated the advancement of free-space laser communication technologies for the past few decades. Steady advances in these technologies, validated through space-to-ground demonstrations, have resulted in incremental advances with the deep-space optical communications (DSOC) technology demonstration being one of the next milestones on NASA's roadmap. NASA's Psyche Mission to launch early next decade plans to host a DSOC flight laser transceiver for link demonstrations extending from 0.1 to farther than 2 astronomical units (AU). The capabilities validated though this demonstration, we expect, could spur the use of optical communications infrastructure around Mars in the next few decades. In this paper we summarize ongoing activities underway at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in preparation for the DSOC technology demonstration and go on to present discussions on the drivers for developing a robust deep space laser communications operational capability.