To provide an optical communication device including a transmitting optical output unit for transmitting information by optical communication, a receiving optical sensor for receiving information by optical communication, an optical switch that is connected to the transmitting optical output unit and the receiving optical sensor via an optical splitter, a plurality of head parts that are connected to the optical switch, and a control unit for performing control so as to transmit information by emitting a laser from each of the plurality of head parts by switching and guiding a light output by the transmitting optical output unit to the plurality of head parts with the optical switch, and receive information by switching a light received by the plurality of head parts with the optical switch and guiding the light to the receiving optical sensor.

An optical detector system provides beam positioning data to an optical tracking system to facilitate optical communications. The optical detector system comprises a plurality of optical photodetectors. For example, a two-by-two array may be used. Incoming light passes through one or more optical elements, such as a lens and a dispersive optical element. A first portion of the beam entering the optical elements is directed into a first spot having a first area on the array. A second portion of the beam entering the optical elements is dispersed to form a second spot having a second area on the array that is larger than the first area. This combination of first portion and second portion of the beam incident on the array provides unambiguous information in the output of the photodetectors that is indicative of a position of the incoming beam with respect to the array.

An express mesh satellite network includes a plurality of satellites arranged in a constellation, each including a plurality of coherent optical modems, wherein the plurality of satellites are configured in a topology based on traffic sources and sinks on the ground where the topology includes express links where satellites are directly connected in space by the coherent optical modems based on the traffic sources and sinks. The plurality of satellites are configured to become a node in the topology when in an associated affinity area having a ground link or requiring a relay function.

An express mesh satellite network includes a plurality of satellites arranged in a constellation, each including a plurality of coherent optical modems, wherein the plurality of satellites are configured in a topology based on traffic sources and sinks on the ground where the topology includes express links where satellites are directly connected in space by the coherent optical modems based on the traffic sources and sinks. The plurality of satellites are configured to become a node in the topology when in an associated affinity area having a ground link or requiring a relay function.

A field-assembled satellite communications terminal has a plurality of discrete, modular aperture blocks. Each aperture block contains an electrically steered antenna aperture, and a plurality of interconnection ports for power and data communications between the plurality of aperture blocks. The plurality of interconnection ports are removably connectable by the end user in the field. The terminal further has a signal processing system for receiving, processing, and generating signals to and from the apertures. The aperture blocks are connected to each other in the field and self-configure to form an electrically-steered antenna.

A field-assembled satellite communications terminal has a plurality of discrete, modular aperture blocks. Each aperture block contains an electrically steered antenna aperture, and a plurality of interconnection ports for power and data communications between the plurality of aperture blocks. The plurality of interconnection ports are removably connectable by the end user in the field. The terminal further has a signal processing system for receiving, processing, and generating signals to and from the apertures. The aperture blocks are connected to each other in the field and self-configure to form an electrically-steered antenna.

A photonic antenna array includes: a plurality of tapered fiber ends; and a support plate. Each tapered fiber end of the plurality of tapered fiber ends corresponds to a respective fiber of a plurality of fibers. A portion of each of the plurality of fibers is run through the support plate. A fiber core diameter at a tapered end point of a respective tapered fiber end of the plurality of tapered fiber ends has a first diameter. A fiber core diameter at a non-tapered portion of the respective fiber corresponding to the respective tapered fiber end has a second diameter. The first diameter is smaller than the second diameter. The respective tapered fiber end is configured to provide a mode field diameter larger than a diameter of the non-tapered portion of the respective fiber corresponding to the respective tapered fiber end.

A photonic antenna array includes: a plurality of tapered fiber ends; and a support plate. Each tapered fiber end of the plurality of tapered fiber ends corresponds to a respective fiber of a plurality of fibers. A portion of each of the plurality of fibers is run through the support plate. A fiber core diameter at a tapered end point of a respective tapered fiber end of the plurality of tapered fiber ends has a first diameter. A fiber core diameter at a non-tapered portion of the respective fiber corresponding to the respective tapered fiber end has a second diameter. The first diameter is smaller than the second diameter. The respective tapered fiber end is configured to provide a mode field diameter larger than a diameter of the non-tapered portion of the respective fiber corresponding to the respective tapered fiber end.

A disclosed spacecraft is provided with: an attitude control actuator configured to control an attitude of the spacecraft; an imaging device configured to receive an optical communication signal from another spacecraft; and an attitude controller configured to control the attitude control actuator, based on a position of the optical communication signal in an image obtained by the imaging device.

A disclosed spacecraft is provided with: an attitude control actuator configured to control an attitude of the spacecraft; an imaging device configured to receive an optical communication signal from another spacecraft; and an attitude controller configured to control the attitude control actuator, based on a position of the optical communication signal in an image obtained by the imaging device.