Operational Results from the Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) Project Ground Laser Transmitter

The purpose of the Deep Space Optical Communication (DSOC) project is to demonstrate that free space optical communication technology is mature and capable ofsupporting future deep space missions. Free space optical communications can provide 10-100x higher data rates as compared to RF technology at Mars distances. In addition, the DSOC team characterized the link budget at Mars ranges (0.3-2.6 AU) demonstrating up to 267 Mbps downlink data rates.DSOC operations began two weeks after the flight terminal hosted by the Psyche spacecraft launched October 2023. Weekly contacts between the two optical ground stations and the flight terminal aboard Psyche are on-going until the DSOC prime mission endsSeptember 2025. This paper provides an overview of the DSOC architecture, the two ground station terminals design, operations, and focusing on ground transmitter tests.