SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING WITH DEEP SPACE SPACECRAFT USING SPACED BASED COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM

A system and method for communicating with deep space spacecraft are provided. A near-Earth space based communications system satellite, which may be deployed in a deep space stable-looking orbit around the Earth, provides two-way communication with the deep space spacecraft, including transmission and reception of commands and data. The near-Earth space based communications system satellite may store data received from the deep space spacecraft and transmits the data to commercial communication satellites and ground terminals. This system and method may be utilized to communicate to the outer planets with a deep-space space based communications system spacecraft at the Earth-Moon Lagrange points, Sun-Earth Lagrange Points, Sun-Mars Lagrange points and extending out to the outer boundary of the solar system. The system and method are further enhanced with the use of free space optical laser communications and x-ray communications to increase data volume from any deep space spacecraft to Earth.