Overview of the NCST's new optical research facility

• Published in: 2001 IEEE Aerospace Conference Proceedings (Cat. No.01TH8542) Vol. 3; pp. 3/1489 - 3/1494 vol.3
• Main Authors: Vilcheck, M.J., Reed, A.E., Peltzer, A.R., Davis, M.A., Burris, H.R.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 2001
• Subjects: Laboratories; Laser beams; Laser mode locking; Leg; Optical design; Optical filters; Optical transmitters; Pulse amplifiers; Satellites; Telescopes
• ISBN: 0780365992; 9780780365995
• ISSN: 1095-323X
• DOI: 10.1109/AERO.2001.931379

The Naval Center for Space Technology (NCST) at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) is building a new capability to support space-related optical research activities. The facility will be located at NRL's Midway Research Center near Quantico, VA. Phase One, completed in 1999, is a multi-purpose transportable telescope (TRTEL) which has already been used for an air-to-ground optical communications demonstration and for passive satellite tracking operations. The second phase, consisting of a Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) system built around a 1-meter re-locatable telescope, is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2001. Technical details describing both systems are provided.