Process and system to optimize optical inter-satellite links

A process for optimizing a parameter of a transmission-reception channel between satellite terminals of an optical beam inter-satellite link for satellites traveling in space at high speeds, the transmission-reception channel including a data channel transmitting user-information data, the process comprising steps of:

• providing an auxiliary channel, distinct from the data channel, in the transmission-reception channel;
• continually measuring a parameter value of the parameter with an evaluation unit at a first one of the terminals;
• transmitting the parameter value to a second one of the terminals over the auxiliary channel;
• generating a control signal from the transmitted parameter value with an optimization unit in the second terminal;
• and
• correcting, at the second one of the terminals, the parameter value toward a desired value;
• whereby the link is optimized with respect to the parameter;
• wherein the parameter comprises point-ahead, the step of measuring the parameter value includes evaluating beam orientation, and the control signal includes information regarding the beam orientation;
• whereby setting of the point-ahead is performed with a high tolerance and beam angle is optimized after the link has been established.