First concept of the Platform for High Data Rate Optical Station (PHAROS) to support deep-space missions and small satellites

Abstract

Human activity in the vicinity of the Moon is expected to increase in the near future. Gigabit-class communication links are needed that can handle the long distance between the Moon and the Earth. Optical communications offer a number of advantages compared with radio frequency communications. This paper proposes the first concept for providing continuous gigabit communication links between the Moon and a geosynchronous Earth orbit-based data relay platform along with link analyses for several link scenarios.