NASA Achieves Laser Milestone in Deep Space

Quick Smiles:

• NASA set a record by sending 15 terabits of data from 300 million miles away using lasers.
• The technology proves fast broadband speeds are possible for future space missions.
• An HD video of a cat was beamed to Earth from beyond Mars at lightning speed.

NASA has made history by successfully transmitting a massive 15 terabits of data from its Psyche Mission, 300 million miles from Earth, using a laser-based system. This innovative leap by the Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) division dramatically improves how scientists communicate across great cosmic distances.

To accomplish this, the team used a laser transceiver on the Psyche spacecraft along with ground stations that rely on precise orientation.

“There are kind of bottlenecks now in just how much volume of data we can get down in a given amount of time from the transmitters that we have,”

said Sean Meenehan, the DSOC Ground Software Lead.

The achievement showcases a new way to send information through space, encoding data in pulses of laser light much like morse code, but with astronomical precision. Teams at NASA demonstrated they could keep a strong connection even while both Earth and Psyche whipped through space at thousands of miles per hour.

One remarkable moment came in December 2023, when NASA sent an ultra-high-definition video of Taters the cat chasing a laser pointer back to Earth from over 19 million miles away at speeds as fast as many home internet connections. By December 2024, DSOC wrapped up its 65th and final communication pass from an even more distant 307 million miles.

NASA continues to push boundaries in space communications:

• Trees can warn about volcanic eruptions, and NASA satellites can read their signals.
• The Lucy mission gave humanity its first glimpse of a peanut-shaped giant asteroid.
• The latest mission offers a dramatic new view of the Sun and Moon to study solar wind.

“As space exploration continues to evolve, so do our data transfer needs,”

shared Kevin Coggins, NASA’s deputy associate administrator for space communications.

He emphasized that optical communications will empower future astronauts on the Moon and Mars to share high-resolution images and vital data with Earth more efficiently than ever before.

Throughout all 65 sessions, the system maintained download speeds on par with those enjoyed in many households—an extraordinary accomplishment given the distances involved.

New breakthroughs in space make our universe a little more connected. Share this uplifting milestone in science with someone who loves innovation!

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