The expected performance analysis of a retroreflector-supported inter-satellite laser rangefinder designed for Polish ImAging SaTellites (PIAST) space mission

Abstract

The paper provides a detailed treatment of the expected range performance for the laser rangefinder (LRF) developed for the Polish ImAging SaTellites (PIAST) space mission, where the distance between satellites within a constellation has to be measured during orbital flight. The satellites are equipped with corner cube retroreflectors (CCR) to increase the efficiency of laser back-reflection. A theoretical signal-to-noise range-dependence model was developed to determine the maximum expected range of the measurements. This model included the tilt-angle-dependent properties of the CCR far-field diffraction patterns (FFDP) which were measured experimentally. In addition, the specific parameters of the receiving optoelectronic circuit used were considered. The obtained results show that in the case of the constructed PIAST LRF (peak laser pulse power of 100 W, laser beam divergence of 5 mrad, receiving optical aperture diameter of 2 in, CCR diameter of 2 in), depending on the CCR angular inclination, a maximum measurement distance of 15–40 km is expected.