REFLECT

An energy efficient and fast optical communication can increase the number of potential applications for micro- and nanosatellites and increase their ability to acquire data by several orders of magnitude.

The proposed concept uses a laser beam which tracks and irradiates the satellite by means of a precisely controlled optomechatronical system. Information can be transferred from the satellite by modulating the reflected light, which is captured at the ground station with a sensitive detector. This method is capable of reducing the energy requirements as well as boosting the achievable data rate by orders of magnitude.

This feasibility study shall proof the proposed concept and verify it by means of a test setup, which also forms the basis for future projects like an In Orbit Validation.

Coordinator

TU Wien

Technische Universität Wien (TU Wien)
Karlsplatz 13
A-1040 Vienna
Tel.: +43 (1) 58801 0
Web: www.tuwien.at