MOBILE CUBESAT COMMAND AND CONTROL GROUND STATION ARCHITECTURE FOR FREE-SPACE OPTICAL COMMUNICATION RECEIVER

The United States military continues to encourage the need for robust satellite communications in order to successfully execute defense missions. CubeSats are a smaller-scale spacecraft, initially utilized to expand educational opportunities in the field of aerospace and satellite communications. This research explores both existing and potential ground station architecture options for integration of free-space optical communication downlinks from CubeSats. Future experimentation plans will focus on the application of this capability in more diverse environments to include expanded ground architecture opportunities. Systems engineering design and architecture methods are useful in understanding the current hardware and software options and limitations for future expansion opportunities. By considering a comparable planning approach, alternatives for architecture development can be organized to aid in the identification of control factors for sub-system and ground communication interfaces. As a well-established CubeSat communications system, the existing Mobile CubeSat Command and Control (MC3) architecture serves as an excellent candidate for experimental integration and eventual considerations for a planned proof of concept.Civilian, Naval Information Warfare CenterApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited