Optical Inter-Orbit Communication Engineering Test Satellite (OICETS)
- Paper number
IAC-06-B3.5.10
- Author
Dr. Yuuichi Fujiwara, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan
- Coauthor
Mr. Toshihiko Yamawaki, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan
- Coauthor
Dr. Katsuyoshi Arai, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan
- Coauthor
Mr. Masaaki Mokuno, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan
- Coauthor
Mr. Takashi Jono, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan
- Year
2006
- Abstract
In a field of research and development for advanced communication systems, laser-based communications are regarded as a promising technology because the operating frequency much higher than that of radio frequency systems enable us to use superior capability of transmitting larger data volume. The use of laser beam for communications brings us additional advantages such as allowance in the use of much smaller antennas than RF antennas and no regulation in spectrum. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) developed the Optical Inter-orbit Communications Engineering Test Satellite (OICETS), which has a laser communications terminal called the Laser Utilizing Communications Equipment (LUCE). On August 23, 2005, OICETS was successfully launched and injected into a circular orbit at the altitude of 610 km. OICETS planned to demonstrate the free-space inter orbit laser communications with the cooperation of the Advanced Relay and Technology Mission (ARTEMIS) geostationary satellite developed by the European Space Agency (ESA). On December 9, 2005, JAXA and ESA succeeded in a bidirectional optical inter-orbit communication experiment using a laser beam between OICETS and ARTEMIS of the ESA. This is the world first bidirectional optical inter-orbit communication successfully established. Moreover, international cooperation with ESA opens up the opportunities for more cooperative works with foreign space agencies in the future This paper will describe the result of OICETS development, on-orbit checkout, and the on-orbit laser communications experiments between OICETS and ARTEMIS. l
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-B3.5.10.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.