TeraNet aims to establish a three-node optical ground station network in Australia to support high-speed data downlinking from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and beyond. The network is comprised of two 0.7m static ground stations situated at the University of Western Australia (UWA) and the Mingenew Space Precinct (300km north of UWA), and one 0.4m mobile ground station that will initially be commissioned at the European Space Agency’s Deep Space Network ground station in New Norcia (100km north of UWA). This network, strategically located with southern sky access and sharing a time zone with ⪆24% of the world’s population, will enhance global coverage and meet the evolving needs of international space missions. Additionally, the three-node architecture will offer unique opportunities to explore LEO line-of-sight handover during adverse weather conditions. Construction of this network has commenced, with two ground stations already on sky. We will present on our progress and preliminary results.
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