Low-power photonic telemetry system and method for spacecraft monitoring

An optical telemetry system for space vehicles comprising:

• an optical source for providing an optical signal for interrogation, said optical source being mounted on a first vehicle;
• a receiver for receiving said optical signal, said receiver being mounted on a second vehicle;
• a modulator for modulating said received optical signal;
• a transmitter for transmitting said modulated optical signal;
• and
• a receiving device for receiving said modulated optical signal, said receiving device being mounted on said first vehicle.

An optical telemetry system for determining the location of one or more space vehicles comprising:

• at least one optical source for providing a plurality of optical signals for interrogation, said optical source being mounted on a first vehicle;
• at least one spatial light modulator (SLM) transponder for receiving, modulating and retransmitting said optical signals for interrogation, said at least one SLM being mounted on a second vehicle;
• and
• a receiver for receiving said modulated and retransmitted optical signals for interrogation, said receiver being mounted upon said first vehicle, wherein the location of one or more space vehicles is determined by analyzing said retransmitted optical signals.

An optical telemetry system for determining the location of a plurality of space vehicles for precisely controlling an array of spacecraft comprising:

• at least one optical source for providing a plurality of optical signals for interrogation, said optical source being mounted on a first vehicle;
• at least one spatial light modulator (SLM) transponder for receiving, modulating and retransmitting said optical signals for interrogation, said at least one SLM being mounted on a second vehicle;
• a receiver for receiving said modulated and retransmitted optical signals for interrogation, said receiver being mounted upon said first vehicle, wherein the location of one or more space vehicles is determined by analyzing said retransmitted optical signals;
• and
• a controller for precisely controlling the location of said plurality of space vehicles.