Current state and future challenges in deep space communication: A survey

Abstract

Communication has been crucial since the beginning of space exploration. Control information and telemetry data of the space vessels as well as voice and video communication of the crew with the ground control have to be maintained. This paper is a survey for readers new to the topic to get an overview about the current status of space communication in national agencies and standardization bodies and ongoing research in the field. It also gives a short overview about the historical development and finally summarizes the authors’ thoughts about future challenges in space communication.

Opto-thermo-mechanical phenomena in satellite free-space optical communications: survey and challenges

“…There is also an increasing interest in using FSOC for the communication systems to transfer scientific data from deep-space probes back to Earth. 3,54 The thermal environment in such a scenario can be quite diverse due to the broad spectra of missions and trajectories found in deep space. The external radiation heat loads in deep-space probes will be due to the albedo and selfemitted radiation of other planets and asteroids (such are the cases of the LLCD, 55 MLCD, 56 and DSOC onboard Psyche mission 57 ).…”

“…There is also an increasing interest in using FSOC for the communication systems to transfer scientific data from deep-space probes back to Earth 3 , 54 . The thermal environment in such a scenario can be quite diverse due to the broad spectra of missions and trajectories found in deep space.…”

“…The applications of this technology range from solving the last mile problem 2 to deep-space optical communications (DSOC). 3,4 Satellite FSOC terminals are paramount for the further development of several applications, such as deep-space communications and Earth observation. These terminals have to be resilient to the severe space environment.…”

“…The higher bandwidth, directivity, and security, as well as lower power and mass requirements, make FSOC an interesting alternative to radiofrequency communication. The applications of this technology range from solving the last mile problem 2 to deep-space optical communications (DSOC) 3 , 4 …”