Mars to Earth optical communication link for the proposed Mars Sample Return Mission Roving Vehicle

Donald L. Sipes Jr.

doi:10.1117/12.961040

15 May 1986 Mars to Earth optical communication link for the proposed Mars Sample Return Mission Roving Vehicle

Donald L. Sipes Jr.

Proceedings Volume 0616, Optical Technologies for Communication Satellite Applications; (1986) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.961040
Event: O-E/LASE'86 Symposium, 1986, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

As part of NASA's planetary exploration augmented missions set, the Mars Sample Return mission will attempt to land a roving vehicle on the Martian surface, collect samples from various sites, and return these samples to Earth. An optical communications system is being considered for the prime Earth to Rover communications link. Such a system, as currently envisioned, would provide 30 kbs telemetry from a 10 cm transmitter aperature utilizing approximately 1 watt of laser power to a 3 m non-diffraction limited receive aperature located in low Earth orbit. Channel effects such as Martian atmospheric dust, wind, and Earth outages were studied and their effects upon the package design were assessed.

Citation Download Citation

Donald L. Sipes Jr. "Mars to Earth optical communication link for the proposed Mars Sample Return Mission Roving Vehicle", Proc. SPIE 0616, Optical Technologies for Communication Satellite Applications, (15 May 1986); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.961040

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