Project Keraunos aims to experiment with a Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) to Ground optical communication link, including turbulence mitigation in the Optical Ground Station (OGS), enabling 10 Gbps or more data rates. Cailabs develops the pilot OGS, equipped with an 80 cm telescope, designed for robust operation under challenging conditions. This paper presents a comprehensive characterization of OGS subsystems, evaluating pointing, acquisition, tracking, beacons, and telecommunication performance with a 2.5 km horizontal link. Initial first light results with the Keraunos satellite are also showcased.
Laser communication offers orders of magnitude higher throughput than RF with greater stealth and no frequency allocation. However, lasercom becomes truly competitive beyond 10 Gbps. At this data rate, fibered components, requiring SMF coupling, and thus turbulence mitigation become necessary.
Cailabs develops an industrial product line of optical ground stations (OGS) based on its turbulence mitigation product. A pilot OGS has been assembled at Cailabs. Several telescopes, from 20 cm to 80 cm, are tested to evaluate, and qualify the system. This paper presents the latest results on OGS. Roadmap will also be presented with LEO-to-Ground link planned in 2023.
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