Abstract: A near infrared (NIR) wideband reflector coating designed to start reflecting solar energy wavelengths from at least 1.2 microns in a typical geosynchronous earth orbit or medium earth orbit satellite and from at least 1.3 microns in a typical low earth orbit satellite. Also, the (NIR) wideband reflector coating reflects solar energy wavelengths below 0.35 microns in all three applications. This invention works on triple junction (TJ) solar cells. The performance of at least 1.2-microns is on solar panels with near-normal incident solar angle, typical of Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) and Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites. The performance of at least 1.3-microns is on solar panels with wide range of incident solar angles, a design requirement for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites.

Abstract: A satellite has an optical communications device coupled to a satellite body. The optical communications device has a laser light generator, a first optically refracting device, and a second optically refracting device. The first and second optically refracting devices are coupled to a respective movement mechanism. The movement mechanisms are used to position the optically refracting devices with respect to each other. By rotating the optically refracting devices about a common axis, either independent of each other and/or locked together, the optical output may be directed to a desired location.