{"id":61528,"date":"2021-05-12T18:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-05-12T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?migration=converted-node-470937"},"modified":"2023-07-26T16:07:57","modified_gmt":"2023-07-26T20:07:57","slug":"laser-communications-empowering-more-data-than-ever-before","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/technology\/laser-communications-empowering-more-data-than-ever-before\/","title":{"rendered":"Laser Communications: Empowering More Data Than Ever Before"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Launching this year, NASA\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission_pages\/tdm\/lcrd\/overview.html\">Laser Communications Relay Demonstration<\/a> (LCRD) will showcase the dynamic powers of laser communications technologies. With NASA\u2019s ever-increasing human and robotic presence in space, missions can benefit from a new way of \u201ctalking\u201d with Earth.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/lcrd_1.jpg\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1542\" height=\"1433\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/lcrd_1.jpg?w=1542\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Conceptual image of the Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) payload transmitting optical signals.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 59%; object-position: 50% 59%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/lcrd_1.jpg 1542w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/lcrd_1.jpg?resize=300,279 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/lcrd_1.jpg?resize=768,714 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/lcrd_1.jpg?resize=1024,952 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/lcrd_1.jpg?resize=1536,1427 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/lcrd_1.jpg?resize=400,372 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/lcrd_1.jpg?resize=600,558 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/lcrd_1.jpg?resize=900,836 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/lcrd_1.jpg?resize=1200,1115 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1542px) 100vw, 1542px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">LCRD, NASA’s first laser relay system. <\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Since the beginning of spaceflight in the 1950s, NASA missions have leveraged radio frequency <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/goddard\/2020\/space-communications-7-things-you-need-to-know\/\">communications<\/a> to send data to and from space. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/lasercomms\">Laser communications<\/a>, also known as optical communications, will further empower missions with unprecedented data capabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why Lasers? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As science instruments evolve to capture high-definition data like 4K video, missions will need expedited ways to transmit information to Earth. With laser communications, NASA can significantly accelerate the data transfer process and empower more discoveries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Laser communications will enable 10 to 100 times more data transmitted back to Earth than current radio frequency systems. It would take roughly nine weeks to transmit a complete map of Mars back to Earth with current radio frequency systems. With lasers, it would take about nine days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/lcrd_beautyshots_sh4_final_v01.01044_print.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/lcrd_beautyshots_sh4_final_v01.01044_print.jpg?w=1024\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Graphic representation of the difference in data rates between radio and laser communications. \" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/lcrd_beautyshots_sh4_final_v01.01044_print.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/lcrd_beautyshots_sh4_final_v01.01044_print.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/lcrd_beautyshots_sh4_final_v01.01044_print.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/lcrd_beautyshots_sh4_final_v01.01044_print.jpg?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/lcrd_beautyshots_sh4_final_v01.01044_print.jpg?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/lcrd_beautyshots_sh4_final_v01.01044_print.jpg?resize=900,506 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Laser communications can send more data in a single downlink than comparable radio systems. <\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA \/ Goddard Space Flight Center<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Additionally, laser communications systems are ideal for missions because they need less volume, weight, and power. Less mass means more room for science instruments, and less power means less of a drain of spacecraft power systems. These are all critically important considerations for NASA when designing and developing mission concepts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cLCRD will demonstrate all of the advantages of using laser systems and allow us to learn how to use them best operationally,\u201d said Principal Investigator David Israel at NASA\u2019s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. \u201cWith this capability further proven, we can start to implement laser communications on more missions, making it a standardized way to send and receive data.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How it Works<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Both radio waves and infrared light are electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths at different points on the electromagnetic spectrum. Like radio waves, infrared light is invisible to the human eye, but we encounter it every day with things like television remotes and heat lamps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Missions modulate their data onto the electromagnetic signals to traverse the distances between spacecraft and ground stations on Earth. As the communication travels, the waves spread out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The infrared light used for laser communications differs from radio waves because the infrared light packs the data into significantly tighter waves, meaning ground stations can receive more data at once. While laser communications aren\u2019t necessarily faster, more data can be transmitted in one downlink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Laser communications terminals in space use narrower beam widths than radio frequency systems, providing smaller \u201cfootprints\u201d that can minimize interference or improve security by drastically reducing the geographic area where someone could intercept a communications link. However, a laser communications telescope pointing to a ground station must be exact when broadcasting from thousands or millions of miles away. A deviation of even a fraction of a degree can result in the laser missing its target entirely. Like a quarterback throwing a football to a receiver, the quarterback needs to know where to send the football, i.e. the signal, so that the receiver can catch the ball in stride. NASA\u2019s laser communications engineers have intricately designed laser missions to ensure this connection can happen.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"width-full maxw-full margin-left-auto margin-right-auto hds-media-align-inline hds-module wp-block-nasa-blocks-video\"><div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper width-full maxw-full flex-column\"><div class=\"hds-video-container width-full embed-container\"><video title=\"lcrd-beautyshots-sh1b-final-v01\" id=\"nasa-plus-ka5G7\" class=\"video-js video-player vjs-fluid width-full\" data-setup='{\"controls\":true,\"preload\":\"auto\",\"plugins\":{\"mux\":{\"debug\":false,\"data\":{\"env_key\":\"91nns8oppqdfqc44lgo4b1gni\",\"player_name\":\"www.nasa.gov Player\",\"video_name\":\"lcrd-beautyshots-sh1b-final-v01\"}}}}'  ><source src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/lcrd-beautyshots-sh1b-final-v01.mp4\" type=\"video\/mp4\"><p class=\"vjs-no-js\">To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/videojs.com\/html5-video-support\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">supports HTML5 video<\/a><\/p><\/video><\/div><\/div><div class=\"hds-media-caption hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\"><div>LCRD communicating to OGS-1 and OGS-2 on Earth. <\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Laser Communications Relay Demonstration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Located in geosynchronous orbit, about 22,000 miles above Earth, LCRD will be able to support missions in the near-Earth region. LCRD will spend its first two years testing laser communications capabilities with numerous experiments to refine laser technologies further, increasing our knowledge about potential future applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>LCRD\u2019s initial experiment phase will leverage the mission\u2019s ground stations in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jpl.nasa.gov\/\" rel=\"noopener\">California<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/goddard\/2020\/new-ground-station-brings-laser-communications-closer-to-reality\">Hawaii<\/a>, Optical Ground Station 1 and 2, as simulated users. This will allow NASA to evaluate atmospheric disturbances on lasers and practice switching support from one user to the next. After the experiment phase, LCRD will transition to supporting space missions, sending and receiving data to and from satellites over infrared lasers to demonstrate the benefits of a laser communications relay system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The first in-space user of LCRD will be NASA\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/heo\/scan\/opticalcommunications\/illuma-t\/\">Integrated LCRD Low-Earth Orbit User Modem and Amplifier Terminal<\/a> (ILLUMA-T), which is set to launch to the International Space Station in 2022. The terminal will receive high-quality science data from experiments and instruments onboard the space station and then transfer this data to LCRD at 1.2 gigabits per second. LCRD will then transmit it to ground stations at the same rate.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/lcrd-virtual-background.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"985\" height=\"554\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/lcrd-virtual-background.jpg?w=985\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"LCRD communicating to ISS over laser links\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 52% 23%; object-position: 52% 23%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/lcrd-virtual-background.jpg 985w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/lcrd-virtual-background.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/lcrd-virtual-background.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/lcrd-virtual-background.jpg?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/lcrd-virtual-background.jpg?resize=600,337 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/lcrd-virtual-background.jpg?resize=900,506 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 985px) 100vw, 985px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">LCRD communicating over laser links to ILLUMA-T on the International Space Station. <\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA \/ Dave Ryan<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>LCRD and ILLUMA-T follow the groundbreaking 2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/heo\/scan\/opticalcommunications\/llcd\/\">Lunar Laser Communications Demonstration<\/a>, which downlinked data over a laser signal at 622 megabits-per-second, proving the capabilities of laser systems at the Moon. NASA has many other laser communications missions currently in different stages of development. Each of these missions will increase our knowledge about the benefits and challenges of laser communications and further standardize the technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>LCRD is slated to launch as a payload on a Department of Defense spacecraft in 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>LCRD is a NASA payload\u00a0aboard the Department of Defense\u2019s Space Test Program Satellite-6 (STPSat-6). STPSat-6, part of\u00a0the third Space Test Program (STP-3) mission,\u00a0will launch on\u00a0a United Launch Alliance Atlas V 551 rocket\u00a0from the Cape Canaveral\u00a0Space\u00a0Force Station in Florida.\u00a0STP is\u00a0operated by the United States Space Force\u2019s Space and Missile Systems Center.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>LCRD is led by Goddard and in partnership with NASA\u2019s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California and the MIT Lincoln Laboratory. LCRD is funded through NASA\u2019s Technology Demonstration Missions program, part of the Space Technology Mission Directorate, and the Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) program, within the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-about-the-author nasa-gb-align-full width-full maxw-full padding-x-3 padding-y-6 hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-about-the-author\"><div class=\"grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-x-0 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black padding-top-3\"><div class=\"margin-bottom-4\"><h3 class=\"heading-14\">About the Author<\/h3><\/div><\/div><div class=\"grid-row grid-container padding-x-0 maxw-widescreen\"><div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6 desktop:padding-right-9\"><div class=\"grid-row\"><div class=\"hds-author-thumbnail mobile:circle-6 mobile:maxw-6 circle-card maxw-card thumbnail margin-right-2 desktop:margin-right-5\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"10rem\" height=\"10rem\" loading=\"lazy\" fetchpriority=\"low\" class=\"avatar avatar-300 photo medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/cropped-microsoftteams-image-14-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Katherine Schauer\"><\/div><div class=\"grid-col\"><div class=\"margin-bottom-2\"><h2 class=\"heading-29 line-height-sm\">Katherine Schauer<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"padding-y-2\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"desktop:grid-col-6 desktop:padding-right-9\"><p class=\"margin-top-0\">Katherine Schauer is a writer for the Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) program office and covers emerging technologies, commercialization efforts, exploration activities, and more.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Launching this year, NASA\u2019s Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) will showcase the dynamic powers of laser communications technologies. With NASA\u2019s ever-increasing human and robotic presence in space, missions can benefit from a new way of \u201ctalking\u201d with Earth. Since the beginning of spaceflight in the 1950s, NASA missions have leveraged radio frequency communications to send […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":239,"featured_media":62418,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nasa_hds_core_meta_l10n":"en-US","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_editor":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_contacts":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_topic":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_linked_locations":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_related_articles":[],"hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_id":"","hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_type":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_x":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_y":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_gallery_images":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[2857,2860,3207,3315,2661,2788],"news-tags":[],"internal-terms":[],"coauthors":[],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Laser Communications: Empowering More Data Than Ever Before","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/technology\/laser-communications-empowering-more-data-than-ever-before\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/technology\/laser-communications-empowering-more-data-than-ever-before\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/lcrd_beautyshots_sh4_final_v01.01044_print.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/lcrd_beautyshots_sh4_final_v01.01044_print.jpg"},"articleSection":"NASA Centers & Facilities","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Katherine Schauer"}],"creator":["Katherine Schauer"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NASA","logo":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo.svg"},"keywords":["Missions","Technology Demonstration","Goddard Space Flight Center","Jet Propulsion Laboratory","Laser Communications Relay","Space Communications & Navigation Program","Technology"],"dateCreated":"2021-05-12T22:00:00Z","datePublished":"2021-05-12T22:00:00Z","dateModified":"2023-07-26T20:07:57Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"Laser Communications: Empowering More Data Than Ever Before\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/technology\/laser-communications-empowering-more-data-than-ever-before\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"post\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-image-url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/lcrd_beautyshots_sh4_final_v01.01044_print.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2021-05-12T22:00:00Z\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-section\" content=\"NASA Centers & Facilities\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-tags\" content=\"Missions,Technology Demonstration,Goddard Space Flight Center,Jet Propulsion Laboratory,Laser Communications Relay,Space Communications & Navigation Program,Technology\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"Katherine Schauer\" \/>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/nasa.gov\/p.js"},"read_time":5,"time_ago":"3 years","featured_image":{"id":62418,"file":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/lcrd_beautyshots_sh4_final_v01.01044_print.jpg","title":"lcrd_beautyshots_sh4_final_v01.01044_print","alt":"Graphic representation of the difference in data rates between radio and laser communications.","caption":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61528"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/239"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=61528"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61528\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":195032,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61528\/revisions\/195032"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/62418"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=61528"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=61528"},{"taxonomy":"news-tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-tags?post=61528"},{"taxonomy":"internal-terms","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-terms?post=61528"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=61528"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}