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Author Topic: Lasers for satellite comms?  (Read 194 times)

W0AEW

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Lasers for satellite comms?
« on: January 24, 2021, 07:02:22 AM »

This may be of interest to you satelliteers.

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The team set the world record for the most stable laser transmission by combining the Aussies' phase stabilization technology with advanced self-guiding optical terminals. Together, these technologies allowed laser signals to be sent from one point to another without interference from the atmosphere.


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There are further potential benefits for optical communications, an emerging field that uses light to carry information. Optical communications can securely transmit data between satellites and Earth with much higher data rates than current radio communications.

"Our technology could help us increase the data rate from satellites to ground by orders of magnitude," Dr. Schediwy said. "The next generation of big data-gathering satellites would be able to get critical information to the ground faster."


Full article here. https://phys.org/news/2021-01-record-breaking-laser-link-einstein-theory.html

Have there been any attempts at ham satellite comms using lasers? 


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WE4B

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Re: Lasers for satellite comms?
« Reply #1 on: January 24, 2021, 02:21:10 PM »

While this would definitely be possible. Most people that use amateur radio satellites aren't even willing to upgrade from FM satellites to linear transponder satellites. With that fact being known, can you imagine how hard it would be to get amateurs to upgrade to a system using optics (lasers)?

With that said, it really is cool.
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KF5LJW

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Re: Lasers for satellite comms?
« Reply #2 on: January 24, 2021, 04:43:11 PM »

Go ahead and try it. If I catch you will immediately report you to the FAA for shinning a Laser into the sky. You will get to explain to the feds why you were trying to blind pilots. Of course you could plead ignorance, lots of ignorant people serving jail time.
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WE4B

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Re: Lasers for satellite comms?
« Reply #3 on: January 24, 2021, 05:22:33 PM »

Not all lasers have a visible wavelength. Just sayin'
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KG4RUL

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Re: Lasers for satellite comms?
« Reply #4 on: January 25, 2021, 09:29:47 AM »

Years ago, the Naval Oceans Systems Center (NOSC), now SPAWAR West, in San Diego, was developing laser based communications for the USN.  My parents had a home overlooking the Pacific, on Point Loma, from which you could see the laser beams, on misty nights.  To the best of my knowledge, it was determined to not be feasible for many reasons.
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KF5LJW

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Re: Lasers for satellite comms?
« Reply #5 on: January 25, 2021, 04:31:38 PM »

Not all lasers have a visible wavelength. Just sayin'
You are correct, and lasers outside of visible wave lengths are the most hazardous to the eye.  An amateur would never be permitted to shoot lasers out into space. FAA frowns when someone shines lasers in the sky without their knowledge and written  approval to clear airspace.

Just saying.
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W9IQ

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Re: Lasers for satellite comms?
« Reply #6 on: January 27, 2021, 02:18:43 AM »

Have there been any attempts at ham satellite comms using lasers?

There is substantial activity in this field. The space station was recently fitted with a laser system for high speed communications experiments. This would be a good study area for amateur satellite application as the space station is also a non-stationary satellite.

Since 1962 we have been bouncing lasers off of retroreflectors on the moon placed there by various lunar missions. This work goes on yet today.

Most of the satellite laser work involves short pulses of energy that would not be visible to the human eye. With the ready on-line access to active flight plans it would be fairly simple to allay any concerns regarding pilot blinding if necessary.

- Glenn W9IQ
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- Glenn W9IQ

God runs electromagnetics on Monday, Wednesday and Friday by the wave theory and the devil runs it on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday by the Quantum theory.
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