Air Force 1-GBPS space-borne optical communications system

A pioneer Nd:YAG laser communication system operating at 1000 Mbps is scheduled for test in 1979 as a synchronous altitude satellite to ground data link. The system will be a transmitter operating at λ532 nm from a 20-cm diam telescope to a ground station at Cloudcroft, N.M. Laser communications has progressed from component development 5 years ago to the recently completed engineering feasibility model which demonstrated space applicability. The visible laser system was successfully tested to the component and system vibration and thermal flight acceptance specifications of the defense meteorological satellite program.