トピックスThe Optical Link Experiment with the Laser Altimeter (LIDAR)

Before and after the Earth swing-by, the laser altimeter (LIDAR) on Hayabusa2 attempted to receive laser light from the satellite laser ranging (SLR) ground stations.
After the swing-by, the Mt. Stromlo station at SERC (Space Environment Research Centre Australia) in the suburbs of Canberra, Australia, transmitted laser light towards Hayabusa2. The spacecraft successfully received the beam using the onboard LIDAR that can send and recieve laser signals to accurately establish the range of objects from the spacecraft. At the time of the transmission from Mt. Stomlo, Hayabusa2 was 6,700,000 km from Earth. This success established the one-way 'up link' of the optical connection.
In addition to the technology involved in LIDAR and the laser ground stations, establishment of an optical link with a planetary explorer requires precise orbital prediction and attitude control. The U.S. explorers Messenger and Mars Global Surveyor were previously able to establish this deleicate optical link in 2005, and now Hayabusa2 added a valuable example of its success.

Related link :Article of Planetary Exploration Research Center, Chiba Institute of Technology (in Japanese)