Link Acquisition for the Optical Formation Metrology Testbed

Abstract

This thesis describes the implementation of an innovative experimental set-up to perform simulations of laser link acquisitions between two spacecraft, in the context of laser ranging interferometry missions, which are increasingly relevant in the fields of gravimetry and gravitational waves detection. The objective of the project is to reproduce realistic laser beam characteristics, demonstrate the ability of the Optical Formation Metrology Testbed (OFMT) to perform autonomous link acquisition procedures and define requirements for the OFMT architecture based on the experimental results. To achieve the goals set, the OFMT set-up has been assembled and aligned, the relevant beam properties have been measured, the supporting experimental infrastructure to conduct the acquisition tests has been integrated, the necessary calibration procedures have been carried out and finally the acquisition tests have been defined and performed, followed by a comprehensive analysis of the results.
From the evaluation of the test runs and the measurements of the beam characteristics, it can be concluded that the OFMT set-up represents a new way of successfully recreating laser beams between spacecraft that are placed far apart from each other, following a design path that had not previously been covered by other experimental architectures of this kind. Additionally, the work outlined in this thesis demonstrates the ability of the set-up to carry out autonomous link acquisition procedures, paving the way for further developments of the instruments.