The Trauen laser ground station (LaBoT) consists of a control container with a weather mast (right), a domed building (left) and the reflecting telescope inside.
An optical ground station (OGS) was set up at the DLR-site Trauen in 2023. The facility, known as the Laser-Bodenstation Trauen (LaBoT), enables tests for laser communication with satellites under real operating conditions. The station essentially consists of three components: The most crucial part is the 70cm reflector telescope on a precision mount, that tracks previously loaded satellite orbits. The instrument is protected from harsh weather conditions by a slit dome. A control container is located next to it and serves as a space for electronic equipment and for activities to be carried out on site.
The SOFA (Small OGS Focal-optics Assembly) is mounted at the telescope and is a specially manufactured optical instrument for laser communication. The SOFA connects the telescope with the receiver electronics and makes both devices compatible. In a generalised sense, it is the optical equivalent of a feed system for radio frequency antennas. It performs the following three basic functions: camera-based alignment and satellite tracking, calibrated power measurement and bidirectional data transmission.
