title: Interspacecraft link simulator for the laser ranging interferometer onboard GRACE Follow-On.
abstract: Link acquisition strategies are key aspects for interspacecraft laser interferometers. We present an optical fiber-based setup able to simulate the interspacecraft link for the laser ranging interferometer (LRI) on gravity recovery and climate experiment Follow-On. It allows one to accurately recreate the far-field intensity profile depending on the mispointing between the spacecraft, Doppler shifts, and spacecraft attitude jitter. Furthermore, it can be used in late integration stages of the mission, since no physical contact with the spacecraft is required. The setup can also be easily adapted to other similar missions and different acquisition algorithms.
authors.forename: Josep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sanjuan
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gohlke
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rasch
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Abich
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Görth
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Heinzel
authors.forename: Claus
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Braxmaier