Interspacecraft link simulator for the laser ranging interferometer onboard GRACE Follow-On

Area of Science:

• Space physics and instrumentation
• Optical engineering
• Interferometry

Background:

• Link acquisition is critical for interspacecraft laser interferometers.
• Accurate simulation of the interspacecraft link is essential for mission success.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present an optical fiber-based setup for simulating interspacecraft laser links.
• To enable accurate recreation of far-field intensity profiles for the Laser Ranging Interferometer (LRI).

Main Methods:

• Development of an optical fiber-based simulation setup.
• Recreation of parameters like spacecraft mispointing, Doppler shifts, and attitude jitter.
• Utilizing the setup in late mission integration stages.

Main Results:

• The setup accurately simulates the interspacecraft link for the GRACE-FO LRI.
• It allows for precise recreation of far-field intensity profiles under various conditions.
• The system requires no physical contact with the spacecraft.

Conclusions:

• The presented optical fiber setup is a valuable tool for testing and validating link acquisition strategies.
• It offers flexibility for adaptation to other missions and algorithms.
• The simulation capability enhances mission readiness and reduces integration risks.