Development of a 1-m-class telescope at TMF to support optical communications demonstrations

With the impetus towards high data rate communications in inter-satellite and space-to-ground links, the small size, low-mass, and low-power consumption of optical communications is seen as a viable alternative to radio frequency links. Recent NASA/JPL optical communications field demonstrations have shown some of the operational strategies needed for space-to-ground optical links. In preparation for the optical communications demonstrations planned for the turn of the century, NASA/JPL is building an Optical Communications Telescope Laboratory (OCTL) with a 1-m class telescope. The OCTL will be located at JPL's Table Mountain Facility complex in the San Bernadino mountains of Southern California and will be capable of supporting demonstrations with satellites from LEO to deep space ranges. In addition, it will support advanced optical communications research, astrometry and astronomy research.