A base laser terminal for space communication

The Scientific-Industrial Corporation on Space Instruments is carrying out research and design activities for the purpose of creating a base laser terminal with capacity up to 2 Gbit/s that will be able to meet the various requirements of LEO spacecraft and satellite systems. This paper presents the principles forming the basis of such a terminal and describes the main technologies used. Completion of the full-scale on-ground tests is planned as well as the commencement of the flight tests on MIR orbital space station using a downlink at rates up to 128 Mbit/s and an uplink at a rate of 2.66 Mbit/s.