On-orbit pointing performance of the modular agile scalable optical terminal (MAScOT) for the ILLUMA-T mission
The Integrated LCRD LEO User Modem and Amplifier Terminal (ILLUMA-T) payload was the first space-based user terminal to demonstrate successful two-way optical communications with a ground terminal via NASA’s Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD). In order to acquire the link, the ILLUMA-T optical module open loop points a wide beacon at the LCRD acquisition sensor. The initial pointing of the beacon is based on real-time ISS position and attitude information and precalculated LCRD ephemeris. This paper examines the on-orbit pointing performance of ILLUMA-T during the mission.
Authors
- M. K. Kaushik
- Trisha Randazzo
- Olga Mikulina
- Jamie W. Burnside
- Jennifer E. Sager
- Jade P. Wang
- Zachary Gonnsen
- Farzana I. Khatri
- Douglas Ward
- John Towns (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7961-2277)
- Claudia Rivera (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8617-265X)
- James Torres
- J.J. Veselka
- Jacob Gregory
- Jessica S. Chang
- Steven R. Gillmer (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3046-4741)
- Suzanne Smith (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3688-1845)
- Glenn Jackson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7389-4409)
- S. Larson
- Bryan S. Robinson
- David Israël
- Matthew Magsamen
- Kathy Strickler
Institutions
- General Dynamics (United States) (US)
- Wyle (United States) (US)
- Alcoa (United States) (US)
- Columbus Technologies and Services (United States) (US)
- McCann Associates (United States) (US)
- MIT Lincoln Laboratory (US)
- Teledyne Technologies (United States) (US)
- Cytel (United States) (US)
Publication Details
- Published
- 2025-03-19
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3038906
- Primary Topic
- Spacecraft Design and Technology
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00