Laser operations at the JPL/NASA OCTL facility

Abstract

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has built and operates an R&D Optical Communications Telescope Laboratoiy (OCTL) that houses a 1-m Az/El fast tracking telescope. Designed to perform laser beam propagation and free space optical communications experiments, the OCTL will explore technologies and strategies to meet NASA’s future needs for high bandwidth communications from Earth-orbiting and deep space probes. Laser beam propagation between ground and space is regulated by several governmental agencies. This is particularly applicable to high-brightness, Q-switched laser beams that will be used to uplink commands to the spacecraft, and in some cases serve as an acquisition, pointing and tracking beacon for the spacecraft downlink. To ensure safe laser operation and beam propagation from OCTL, JPL has designed, built and operates a four-tier safety system. This paper will describe this system and the performance that has led to a 20/7 (twenty hours per day/seven days per week) operational scenario with a 360 degree full sky view in commercial airspace that is one of the most congested in Southern California.The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has built and operates an R&D Optical Communications Telescope Laboratoiy (OCTL) that houses a 1-m Az/El fast tracking telescope. Designed to perform laser beam propagation and free space optical communications experiments, the OCTL will explore technologies and strategies to meet NASA’s future needs for high bandwidth communications from Earth-orbiting and deep space probes. Laser beam propagation between ground and space is regulated by several governmental agencies. This is particularly applicable to high-brightness, Q-switched laser beams that will be used to uplink commands to the spacecraft, and in some cases serve as an acquisition, pointing and tracking beacon for the spacecraft downlink. To ensure safe laser operation and beam propagation from OCTL, JPL has designed, built and operates a four-tier safety system. This paper will describe this system and the performance that has led to a 20/7 (twenty hours per day/seven days per week) operational scenario with a ...