Proposed near-term, 1-Gbps space laser communications demonstration system

The Laser Communications Demonstration System (LCDS) Phase A/B was initiated by NASA-Headquarters through JPL to show that improvements in both technology and multi- discipline system engineering expertise since the initiation of previous programs enable the practical demonstration of space laser communication terminals that exhibit the anticipated benefits relative to rf communications. This paper presents an overview of the Laser Communication Demonstration System as developed by the Ball team.