LEO-to-GEO laser communication - An enhancement of the communication capability of micro/nano-satellites

Over the last few years, micro/nano-satellites have played a more significant role in accomplishing Earth observation missions. Due to low cost and short time for development, micro/nano-satellites show potential for mass production and forming constellations that help increase the frequency of acquiring Earth-observing data. However, the traditional satellite-to-ground communication method using radio waves has faced the problems of limited bandwidth and delay in delivering data to the ground. Therefore, to enhance the communication capability of the micro/nano-satellite classes, we conduct a feasibility study in which a micro/nano-satellite in low earth orbit (LEO) sends data to a counterpart in geostationary orbit (GEO) via a high-speed laser link in real time. Several promising configurations for the micro/nano-satellite classes to conduct the LEO-to-GEO link are given along with a sensitivity analysis of system parameters. To improve the communication performance of the LEO-to-GEO laser communication, we also present a dynamic scheme to optimally adapt the laser beam waist to the pointing error caused by the LEO micro/nano-satellite’s vibration.