Small Spacecraft Technology
The CubeSat Laser Intersatellite CrosslinK (CLICK)
Project Introduction
The CubeSat Laser Intersatellite CrosslinK (CLICK) project will advance state of the art in free space optical communications by demonstrating infrared laser comm crosslinks between two flight-like terminals using low-cost miniaturized optical transceivers build primarily of commercial components. Improved crosslink communication data rates for CubeSats will enable future missions that involve constellations or swarms of affordable small spacecraft for distributed science missions.
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Anticipated Benefits
CLICK will demonstrate a low-cost, low-complexity laser comm terminal that can be used in nanosatellite missions that involve constellations or swarms needing to transfer high data rates from node to node or from daughter-spacecraft to mother-spacecraft. This technology could help enable constellations of nanosatellites to network with one another to precisely correlate astronomical, heliophysical or Earth observations and to coordinate spacecraft flying in formation to produce a distributed aperture.
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Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute Technology | Lead Organization | Industry | |
Ames Research Center
(ARC)
|
Supporting Organization | NASA Center | Moffett Field, CA |
| The University of Florida | Supporting Organization | Academic |
| Co-Funding Partners | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Air Force Research Laboratory | U.S. Government | |
| Massachusetts Institute Technology | Industry |
Primary U.S. Work Locations
-
California
-
Florida
-
Massachusetts
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Organizational Responsibility
Responsible Mission Directorate:
- Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD)
Lead Organization:
- Massachusetts Institute Technology
Responsible Program:
- Small Spacecraft Technology
Project Management
Project Duration
Start: Sep 2017
End: Apr 2019
Technology Maturity (TRL)
| Start: | 3 |
| Current: | 3 |
| Estimated End: | 6 |
Applied Research
Development
Demo & Test
Technology Areas
Primary:
- TA 5 Communications, Navigation, and Orbital Debris Tracking and Characterization Systems
- TA 5.1 Optical Communications and Navigation
- TA 5.1.7 Integrated Photonics
Other / Cross-cutting:
- TA 5 Communications, Navigation, and Orbital Debris Tracking and Characterization Systems
- TA 5.4 Position, Navigation, and Timing
- TA 5.4.1 Timekeeping and Time Distribution
Target Destinations
The Sun, Earth, The Moon