Research into the advanced small and lightweight optical inter-orbit communication system

The optical inter orbit communication system was studied. The technological problems which are required to be demonstrated were defined, from which the development scenarios were studied. The following subjects were investigated in 1996FY. (1) As a part of the investigation of the trends in the research and development both domestically and abroad, present state of the research in the United States, Japan, and Europe was reviewed. NADSA is currently developing optical communication equipment to be installed aboard the Optical Interorbit Communications Engineering Test Satellite (OICETS). (2) A conceptual scheme for a future communication infrastructure was shown. An outline of the system utilizing optical interorbit communication was illustrated, and the major specifications and the implementation of optical communication equipment were discussed. These may be applicable to communications between low earth orbiting satellites and geostationary satellites, between geostationary satellites, and between space stations. (3) The technological issues which would arise in the assumption that the system would be demonstrated and launched around 2002 were identified and listed. (4) A study on the development scenario was performed. The most important item in the space demonstration was found to be the realization of a system in which an optical communication link with small sized, light weight equipment is operational with a highly reliable communication link.
光衛星間通信システムを研究し、実証を必要とする技術的課題を抽出し、これらの結果を基に開発のシナリオを研究した。1996年度には、以下の主題を検討した。(1)国内外における研究開発動向の調査の一環として、米国、日本、欧州における研究の現状を紹介した。NASDAでは、光衛星間通信実験衛星(OICETS)に搭載する光通信機を開発中である。(2)将来の宇宙通信インフラストラクチャについての想像図を示した。光衛星間通信を利用したシステムの概念と光通信機器に対する主要諸元と実現形式を検討した。この光衛星通信は地球周回低軌道衛星と静止衛星間、静止衛星間、および宇宙ステーション周りなどの通信に適用可能である。(3)2002年に打上予定のシステムを想定した、実証を要求される技術課題をリストアップした。(4)開発シナリオの検討を行った。この中で、宇宙通信に最も重要な項目は小型軽量機器での光通信回線が高回線信頼性で運用可能なことを実証することであると結論した。