Design and development rules for a space high energy, single longitudinal and quasi single transverse mode all solid state laser

Thanks to the expertise and long heritage accumulated in the Aladin and Atlid programs, in this paper, SES presents the main rules that have to be followed to design and develop a space laser with the characteristics of the Aladin and Atlid Laser Transmitters. The different technological problems faced and the technical challenges afforded, led to define some general rules with the relevant logic to be applied to develop such a kind of devices. SES has already delivered the first two Aladin flight Lasers; the spare unit is planned to be delivered for mid of next year, due to the long lifetime test at which the spare Laser Transmitter will be submitted.