The future of space laser communications is brighter than it has ever been before. The development of equipment for experimental tests of laser communicationslasercomvia intersatellite links has been progressing at a measured pace. His conclusion was strongly affirmative. His study showed that the needs for communications media are growing at a pace that continually outstrips the available sources.
Laser communication offers new options for future satellite communications system suppliers.
Begley said that while terrestrial communications needs will continue to be met by high-bandwidth fiber optic communications, the needs of mobile and geographically diverse or separated land networks can most economically be met by satellites. Begley noted that large satellites become technologically obsolete by launch time, because designs must be frozen long before launch. In a comparison between laser and rF for satellite communications, Begley pointed out that the laser provides higher potential data rates and increased antenna gain. This orbit took the satellite through the Van Allen radiation belts three times every five days and exposed it to radiation levels about 10 times as severe as those in the originally intended GEO orbit. Multibeam propagation was used to mitigate the effects of atmospheric scintillation on the uplink beam using four spatially and temporally incoherent beams.