This paper evaluates the performance of space shift keying (SSK) free-space optical communication (FSO) over moderate and strong turbulent channels. It has been shown previously that repetition codes (RCs) using intensity modulation with direct detection techniques are superior to SSK system for a spectral efficiency of 1 bit/s/Hz. It is shown in this study that SSK outperforms RCs using M-ary pulse amplitude modulation for spectral efficiencies of 3 bits/s/Hz or larger. Analytical expressions for the bit error rate for the SSK system under study are derived and extensive simulation results corroborate the correctness of the conducted analysis. The performance of space shift keying for free-space optical communications over turbulent channels. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/275647868_The_performance_of_space_shift_keying_for_free-space_optical_communications_over_turbulent_channels [accessed Apr 30, 2015].