Accelerometer-assisted tracking and pointing for deep space optical communications

NASA/JPL has been developing acquisition, tracking and pointing (ATP) technologies for deep space tracking and pointing of an optical communication beam using linear accelerometers to enhance pointing. Linear accelerometers provide excellent accuracy in sensing the vehicle's acceleration with the advantage of small size, low power, low cost, and a broad range of well developed products. We present the concept of accelerometer-assisted tracking, error analysis, and progress made on its implementation.