Initial In-Orbit Verification of OICETS Optical Terminal's Functions

The initial verification results of the in-orbit free-space laser communication functions equipped on the Optical Inter-orbit Communications Engineering Test Satellite (OICETS) are presented. The operation system for OICETS is introduced with some characteristics on the radio-frequency communication links which connects OICETS to the ground facilities and satellites. The verification procedures of optical functions are carried out with a scenario that begins with measurements of optical devices' responses and moves to confirmations of automatic sequences in acquisition and tracking stars. Finally, all the OICETS functions required for the in-orbit laser communications with ARTEMIS are found to be in good conditions. We describe here the story of the initial verifications with typical examples measured by these tests.