NASA’s Psyche spacecraft received the first laser message from deep space. The message was sent from 16 million kilometers away, or 10 million miles. The Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) tool on the spacecraft made the achievement possible.
The message was part of a successful experiment. The task required astronomical precision, and automated guidance systems helped aim the laser. The test involved close coordination between the DSOC and Psyche operations teams.
The DSOC could help with communication between Earth and explorers on the moon and Mars. Laser communication can carry more information per wavelength, allowing for the transmission of high-resolution images and videos.
In a groundbreaking achievement, Earth has received laser-beamed communication from a distance of 16 million kilometres, or 10 million miles. As per NASA, that’s 40 times farther than the distance between the Earth and the moon, making it the longest demonstration of optical communications
Abi Biswas, project technologist for DSOC at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, said, “Receiving first light is a tremendous achievement. The deep space laser photons from DSOC’s flight transceiver aboard Psyche were successfully detected by ground equipment. We could also convey data, implying that we may interchange ‘bits of light’ from and to deep space.( source google)
The message was sent from the Psyche spacecraft, which is currently on a mission to study the asteroid Psyche. The spacecraft is equipped with a Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) instrument, which is designed to transmit data using lasers. The mission is expected to last two years. The spacecraft is expected to reach the asteroid in 2029.( source google)
Laser communication, also known as optical communication, is a method of transmitting information using light. It has several advantages over traditional radio frequency (RF) systems.
Laser communication can:
- Transmit data up to 10 to 100 times faster than radio frequency
- Carry more information per wavelength
- Transmit high-resolution images and videos
- Require less power than radio waves
- Be harder to intercept
NASA is using lasers to send information between Earth and spacecraft. In a recent experiment, Earth received a laser-beamed message from NASA’s Psyche spacecraft, located 10 million miles away. The message took 50 seconds to travel
Laser communication has several advantages over radio waves, including:
- Increased bandwidth
- Faster transmission rates
- Ability to transmit more data
NASA and the European Space Agency are researching and using laser communication technology in various missions. For example, the DSOC tech demo aims to have transmission rates that are 10–100 times faster than NASA’s current radio communication systems.
Laser communication works by sending bits of data encoded in photons of laser light. The data can then be extracted from the photons and converted back into ones and zeroes.
In space, laser communication works by sending a sequence of short optical pulses from a satellite to a surface. The pulses reflect off the surface and are detected by the satellite.
Laser communication in space can also involve:
- Geostationary satellites: These satellites relay data collected from low-orbiting satellites.
- Free-space optical links: These links can be implemented using infrared laser light.
Some disadvantages of laser communication in space include:
- Line-of-sight: Systems require direct line-of-sight.
- Operational distance: Intervening materials like rain, smoke, fog, and glass can reduce the light intensity.
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