GROUND STATION FOR ANALYSING AN OPTICAL DATA COMMUNICATION BEAM EMANATING FROM A SATELLITE

The ground station is provided with a telescope (10) having a frame (14) and an optical unit (11) mounted movably thereon, the optical unit having a front for receiving light and a rear (16) for outputting a telescope beam (18) formed from the received light. An attachment module (12) is also provided for attachment to the rear (18) of the optical unit (11) of the telescope (10), the telescope beam (18) entering the attachment module (12) and defining an optical axis (20) of the attachment module (12). The following components are disposed in the attachment module: a visual camera (26) for receiving light, particularly light from stars, for calibrating the telescope (10); an optical data receiver (42) for receiving the optical data communication beam (40); a beacon beam source (30) for emitting a beacon beam (28) to a satellite; and an acquisition and tracking camera (44) for receiving a guide beam emitted by a satellite for tracking the optical unit (11) in accordance with the trajectory of the satellite, beam splitters (22, 36, 38) being disposed along the optical axis (20) of the attachment module (12) for coupling out the portions of the telescope beam (18) to be received by the individual components.