Optical Ground Station for Free-Space Optical Communication Research and Experimentation

Free-space optical (FSO) communication based on laser technology is a promising opportunity for the nextgeneration ultra-high data rate links from satellites to ground and vice-versa. To investigate and demonstrate the feasibility of space-to-ground laser links, we conduct a small satellite mission at the Research Center Space of the University of the Bundeswehr Munich (UniBw M). Core of this mission is the satellite ATHENE-1 in a non-geostationary orbit (NGSO). Among other payloads, this satellite is equipped with an optical laser terminal for high-speed data up- and downlinks. The ground segment will comprise an optical ground station (OGS) at the campus of the UniBwM in Neubiberg, Germany. In this paper, we provide an overview of the planned FSO communications experiments and, in particular, introduce and describe the setup of the OGS. The OGS is currently under construction, full operational capability is planned to be end of 2023.