• optics
• lasercom
• optical bandwidth
• deep-space
• deep space
• optical link
• space optical communication
• link design
• optical downlink
• optical link budget
• labview

This work focuses on the development of a program in MATLAB and LabVIEW environment to assess the performance of space communication links in optical band. After a general introduction on the topic and the related progress in the latest space panorama, the basic equations of a typical communication channel are presented and analyzed, trying to give a clear representation of the impact of each component. Further, an overview on the program and its sections is shown, followed by some real and hypothetical mission studies to investigate in future space projects capabilities.