We are developing an inter-satellite omnidirectional optical communicator (ISOC) that will enable up to 1 Gbps data rates over a distance up to 200 km in free space. Key features of the ISOC include full sky coverage and its ability to maintain multiple links simultaneously. The ISOC outer frame is a truncated icosahedron small enough to deploy out of a CubeSat. The frame contains photodetector receivers and gimbal-less scanning MEMS mirrors for transmit beam steering. We have developed miniature transmitter housings (“telescopes”) that include a single mode laser diode and a MEMS mirror. The frame’s vertices feature fast photodetectors for reception and direction finding. In this paper we present design considerations and testing results for an ISOC built to operate at 850 nm. We also discuss a mission concept, labeled Q4, which is being proposed to demonstrate the omnidirectional capabilities of the ISOC. Q4 includes (4) 6U CubeSats furnished with ISOCs and advanced ADCS systems for proper beam pointing. We present design considerations for the Q4 CubeSats and an overall description of the Q4 mission including expected results.
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