On-ground demonstration of laser-link construction for space-based detection of gravitational waves

•An experimental system is established to simulate the whole laser link construction process in space-based gravitational wave detection.•We comprehensively considered the simulation of actual optical system, actual process and critical working condition.•The on-ground acquisition precision as well as the laser pointing precision can fulfill the requirement.•We fully verify the feasibility of the proposed three-stages link construction scheme and resolve the relevant technique problems based on experimental method.