Metric Tracking Services in the Era of Optical Communications

The Space Communications and Navigation program, at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, is developing free-space optical communications technology to facilitate the next generation of space missions in near-Earth, Lunar, and planetary space. A discussion of optimetric observation performance and hardware-in-the-loop test results are presented. Simulation of orbit-determination for LEO and Lunar spacecraft relying on optimetric tracking extends raw observation accuracy to realizable orbit-determination performance. Potential science and operational applications are reviewed, along with NASA's approach for developing optimetric technology. Current investments in developing optimetric hardware and plans for NASA's future optical communications network define the path for a future operational optimetric capability in the 2020's and beyond.