Abstract

The explosive growth of satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) demands advanced surveillance and communication capabilities. However, atmospheric turbulence hinders high-resolution imaging and high-speed communication through optical wavelengths, which remains the only viable option. SEETRUE (Sharp wavefront sEnsing for adaptivE opTics in gRound-based satellite commUnications and spacE surveillance), proposes a game-changing solution: cost-effective, AI-driven wavefront sensing for Adaptive Optics (AO) in optical ground stations. It features a unique ground station equipped with a 50 cm robotic telescope with AO capability, a multi-purpose 38 cm binocular telescope, and an atmospheric profiling system. AI-powered wavefront sensors (WFS) within the system leverage novel turbulence models and a revolutionary”end-to-end” design approach to maximize information extraction. This enables compact and low-cost AO solutions, overcoming a major barrier to widespread adoption. Paving the way for a future with accessible and affordable space communication and surveillance for all. © 2024 SPIE.