Description
Objective:The objective of the activity is to develop a space-based point to multipoint optical terminal.Targeted Improvements:The MOHU would reduce the number of required Optical Head Units by a factor greater than 2. The MOHU should target a mass and sizeless than x1.5 the mass and size of the combined individual Optical Head Units.Description:Today the implementation of simultaneous optical space to ground links (Optical Feeder Links) require the embarkation of as many Optical Head Units as number of simultaneous links. Multiple optical heads are required in order to utilise site-diversity (multiple optical ground stations) to counteractcloud blockage. The development of a single MOHU would reduce the number of embarked Optical Head Units on the Earth deck of a satellite. The idea is to be able to reduce the number of (unicast) Optical Head Units used for Optical Feeder Links on GEO satellites and within the space Optical Transport Networks (e.g. HydRON). To be able to do this an optical design optimisation to obtain a diffraction-limited telecentric (possibly TMA) telescope design with FOV covering entire Mediterranean region (>1deg x >4deg) able to cover the required site-diversity. The system design covering the full FOV, allowing for a high-degree of flexibility in the OGS location, i.e., reconfiguration of the Ground segment during mission lifetime Focal spot position change due to the orbital (inclination) movement shall be entirely compensated for Focal plane assembly shall integrate multiple optical fibres to support seamless handoverbetween OGS whilst assuming high-throughput systems technologies (DWDM, C-Band/L-Band wavelengths) shall be implemented. The development shall consider realistic environmental (vacuum, radiation) as well as operational aspects (e.g. optical power of 5-25W per OGSand shall employ space-qualifiable materials, components, devices, and techniques with an appropriate qualification plan. The performance of the EM shall be demonstrated in laboratory conditions and a system demonstration shall be validated in a terrestrial testbed