Laser beaming demonstrations to high-orbit satellites

Details Laser beaming demonstrations to high-orbit satellites Laser beaming demonstrations to high-orbit satellites

May 1994

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1994spie.2121..222l&link_type=abstract

Proc. SPIE Vol. 2121, p. 222-231, Laser Power Beaming, Jack V. Walker; Edward E. Montgomery; Eds.

Physics

Optics

Scientific paper

A team of Phillips Laboratory, COMSAT Laboratories, and Sandia National Laboratories plans to demonstrate state-of-the-art laser-beaming demonstrations to high-orbit satellites. The demonstrations will utilize the 1.5-m diameter telescope with adaptive optics at the AFPL Starfire Optical Range (SOR) and a ruby laser provided by the Air Force and Sandia (1 - 50 kW and 6 ms at 694.3 nm). The first targets will be corner-cube retro-reflectors left on the moon by the Apollo 11, 14, and 15 landings. We attempt to use adaptive optics for atmospheric compensation to demonstrate accurate and reliable beam projection with a series of shots over a span of time and shot angle. We utilize the return signal from the retro- reflectors to help determine the beam diameter on the moon and the variations in pointing accuracy caused by atmospheric tilt. This is especially challenging because the retro-reflectors need to be in the lunar shadow to allow detection over background light. If the results from this experiment are encouraging, we will at a later date direct the beam at a COMSAT satellite in geosynchronous orbit as it goes into the shadow of the earth. We utilize an onboard monitor to measure the current generated in the solar panels on the satellite while the beam is present. A threshold irradiance of about 4 W/m2 on orbit is needed for this demonstration.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Laser beaming demonstrations to high-orbit satellites does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Laser beaming demonstrations to high-orbit satellites, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Laser beaming demonstrations to high-orbit satellites will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1681372