Duration: 24 months
Free space optical communication links between satellites and the ground will transform space communications by offering higher data rates and enhanced security. This technology not only promises to boost worldwide connectivity, but also enables increased data exchange between satellites and the ground for Earth observation, deep space probes and human space exploration. This imminent transformation is widely acknowledged by space agencies, academic institutions, and industry leaders, actively working to mature this cutting-edge technology. Despite ongoing efforts in experimental demonstrations and the development of optical ground stations (OGS) across Europe, a major challenge remains to be tackled to ensure the reliability of optical links under diverse meteorological conditions: atmospheric turbulence. This co-sponsored research proposal exactly addresses this critical challenge. Atmospheric turbulence significantly degrades the communication signal, and its impact on optical waves is known as optical turbulence (OT). While OT monitoring instruments and compensation systems exist for optical astronomy, their application to OGS sites is limited. Indeed, since OGS sites are situated at lower altitudes and can operate during daytime, they face reinforced turbulent conditions. Consequently, direct application of astronomical OT studies falls short in ensuring the reliability of optical links, thus motivating the novel approaches presented in this proposal. Our project, EOLE (Ensuring reliable Optical Links for European satellite communications) aims to revolutionize satellite optical communications by making optical links reliable through enhanced modelling and monitoring of OT at OGS sites. This ambitious endeavour requires collaboration across various scientific disciplines, as illustrated in the proposal’s picture. Such interdisciplinary effort will complement the ongoing initiatives led by ESA and other partners.
