Methods, devices, and architectures for inter-spacecraft optical communication

An optical device for inter-spacecraft communication comprising:

• a first transmitter for generating a first multi-wavelength signal composed of a first set of wavelengths;
• a first receiver for detecting a second multi-wavelength signal composed of a second set of wavelengths mutually exclusive from the first set of wavelengths;
• at least one first optical component configured for propagating the first multi-wavelength signal into free space and for capturing the second multi-wavelength signal from free space, the first and second multi-wavelength signals propagating collinearly in free space in opposite directions;
• at least one second optical component coupled between the first transmitter, the first receiver, and the at least one first optical component, and configured for discriminating between the first multi-wavelength signal and the second multi-wavelength signal and redirecting the first multi-wavelength signal to the at least one first optical component and the second multi wavelength signal to the first receiver, and
• a translating stage configured to translate a lens from a position P1 to a position P2 and utilize the second multi-wavelength signal to align the second optical component while the lens is at position P2 and then translate the lens back to position P1 for a data transfer mode.