Development of Breadboard model of Laser Communication System for Hokkaido Satellite “TAIKI”

Paper number

IAC-08.B4.4.B6

Author

Mr. Yoshihide Aoyanagi, Hokkaido Institute of Technology, Japan

Coauthor

Dr. Shin Satori, Hokkaido Institute of Technology, Japan

Coauthor

Mr. Tsutomu Uematsu, Japan

Coauthor

Mr. Toshiki Kato, Hokkaido Institute of Technology, Japan

Coauthor

Mr. Toshihiko Yasunaka, Uematsu Electric Co., Ltd, Japan

Year

2008

Abstract

Hokkaido Satellite Project was kicked off at April in 2003 by the volunteer group that consists of students, researchers and engineers in order to demonstrate the space business models using nanosatellites of 15kg/50kg in Japan.
The missions of Hokkaido Satellite are demonstrating the validities of a small hyperspectral sensor and a laser communication experiment in space. A high speed data transmission experiment is also planned to demonstrate the hi-vision video images of the earth. The laser communication system has an advantage of realizing the high speed transmission under the conditions of small size and low electrical power. The high bit rate data transmission device such as the laser communication system is very attractive not only to the space business but also academic applications. The laser communication system requires a high accuracy of pointing control between the satellite and the ground station because of the directional characteristics of laser. Therefore, the pointing control mechanism boarded on nanosatellites requires high accuracy, wide pointing range, small and low electrical power consumption. In order to satisfy these requirements, we designed and developed a new pointing device characterized by two-axis pointing control mechanism (PCM). The PCM consists of two major components, the steering mirror and electronics unit of local feedback. The steering mirror consists of coreless DC motor and rod-end-bearings. The electronics unit of local feedback consists of laser diode and two-dimension position sensitive detector. The PCM weight is 2 kg and electrical power consumption is 1.5 watt. The pointing accuracy and the performance of data transmission of the laser communication device were evaluated in simulator of between satellite and ground station. 

Abstract document

IAC-08.B4.4.B6.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-08.B4.4.B6.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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