An intersatellite link is a communications link that directly connects two separate satellites.

One satellite
could have several links to numerous other satellites. In some of the literature, ISLs have also been
called crosslinks. The first Intersatellite Link (ISL) was demonstrated by radio amateurs in 1975. The
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) pursued testing that same year. NASA
established links between satellites then in orbit. Sponsored by the U.S. Air Force and Navy, Lincoln
Experimental Satellites (LES) 8 and 9 were launched in 1976 and established the technical feasibility of
ISLs. This thesis explores some of the major design issues involved in ISLs. Two basic approaches are
considered, millimeter wave (MMW) and optical. For the MMW approach, the design issues covered
were frequency, antenna positioning, acquisition and tracking, antenna type, power amplification, and
link analysis. For the optical approach, the design issues covered were laser source selection, optical
detection, tracking and acquisition, and proposed systems. Trade-offs involved in system design were
analyzed and possible applications of ISLs discussed