Session A3b: Next-Generation Satellite Navigation Technology

OpSTAR: A New (Laser) Era for PNT Systems
Jose Angel Avila Rodriguez, David Ibanez, Daniel Blonski, European Space Agency
Location: Beacon A

Today, Global Navigation Satellite Systems in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) are the only global, free, comprehensive technology providing absolute and accurate PNT data to users worldwide. With the increasing number of applications relying on PNT information, the expectations for more reliable, accurate and ubiquitous services, resilient to external influences is growing. This demands a transition towards combining multiple sources of PNT information in a “system-of-system” approach. Optical technology, and particularly intersatellite optical links, can play an important role in such transition.
In recent years, optical technology is reaching a level of maturity that makes it a viable candidate for operational systems in the near future. Intersatellite optical links have the potential to become a game changer in the field of PNT. Existing off-the-shelf optical terminals are designed to address the needs of communication applications rather than PNT systems, which need precision time synchronization and ranging. Adaptation of optical technology to PNT needs will result in novel PNT system concepts and architectures. In-orbit demonstration of critical optical system elements is essential to consolidate future PNT system concepts and make informed decisions regarding the introduction of optical technology in future operational PNT systems.
The paper will introduce the OpSTAR In-orbit Demonstrator concept as an essential part of ESA’s FutureNAV Component #3 “Demonstrators and supporting R&D”, whose main purpose is to validate a new system concept based on the introduction of intersatellite optical links for PNT use.