The First Adaptive Optics Closed Loop Imaging Demonstration of A Large Segmented Telescope With A Space-Borne Laser Guide Star

The Orbiting Configurable Artificial Star (ORCAS) mission, in collaboration with the W. M. Keck Observatory (WMKO) and the Laser Communication Relay Demonstration (LCRD), conducted an on-sky experiment aimed at advancing the ORCAS mission concept maturity level (CML) and technology readiness level (TRL) in preparation for a full mission proposal. The experimental goals span across technical, programmatic, and scientific domains; Ultimately demonstrating for the first time adaptive optics (AO) closed loop imaging of a large segmented telescope with a space-borne laser guide star, testing hybrid observatories’ operational methodology and robustness, and provided valuable insights for future flux calibration testing of space-borne laser systems (including post-processing).