As the demand for information and high data transmitting rate is becoming increasingly crucial, modern communication technology has attached more significance to optical satellite communication study. This paper will mainly concentrate on the development trend of optical satellite communication technology. Firstly, this technology will be introduced with its basic system illustration and block diagram. Moreover, the key technologies will be demonstrated, including optics, signal processing, Acquisition, Tracking, Pointing (ATP) and mechanics. In the final section, a comparison between optical satellites and other communication technologies will be conducted to analyze the future tendency of satellite communication. As shown, it will be fused with 5G technology; also, it might develop in the direction of realizing terminal device miniaturization, space-air-ground integrated network (SAGIN) and intelligent optical satellite communication. Finally, free-space optical (FSO) communication will be of great benefit to humans, as it can bring convenience, enhance communication efficiency and boom the economy. Therefore, scientists should take optical satellite communication technology more seriously and do more research concerning it, helping people live better lives.

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