{"id":141003,"date":"2022-08-11T14:34:00","date_gmt":"2022-08-11T18:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?migration=converted-node-481965"},"modified":"2023-08-04T10:43:58","modified_gmt":"2023-08-04T14:43:58","slug":"whats-next-the-future-of-nasas-laser-communications","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/somd\/space-communications-navigation-program\/whats-next-the-future-of-nasas-laser-communications\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s Next: The Future of NASA\u2019s Laser Communications"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>NASA uses lasers to send information to and from Earth, employing invisible beams to traverse the skies, sending terabytes of data \u2013 pictures and videos \u2013 to increase our knowledge of the universe. This capability is known as laser, or optical, communications, even though these eye-safe, infrared beams can\u2019t be seen by human eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe are thrilled by the promise laser communications will offer in the coming years,\u201d says Badri Younes, deputy associate administrator and program manager for Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) at NASA Headquarters in Washington. \u201cThese missions and demonstrations usher in NASA\u2019s new Decade of Light in which NASA will work with other government agencies and the commercial sector to dramatically expand future communications capabilities for space exploration and enable vibrant and robust economic opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-center padding-y-3 maxw-full width-full display-flex flex-align-center hds-module wp-block-nasa-blocks-blockquote\"><div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block display-flex flex-column flex-justify-center padding-0\">\n\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:display-flex mobile:display-block\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"blockquote-icon margin-bottom-3\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"tablet:square-4 square-4 margin-right-3\" version=\"1.1\" aria-hidden=\"true\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 3000 3000\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 3000 3000;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"> <g> <path d=\"M586.7,1429.7c-10.7,1.5-21.4,2.8-33.9,4.5c6.9-26.6,12.7-50.7,19.5-74.6c32.4-114.1,78.5-222.2,146.8-319.5 c90.2-128.5,202.5-235.3,327.7-329.1c8.4-6.3,16.7-12.6,25.3-19.1c-66.3-105.1-131.5-208.6-197.3-313.1c-3.5,1.2-5.5,1.6-7.2,2.6 C714.4,469,576.1,575.7,456,705.3c-126,135.9-226.2,289.1-303,457.8c-98.8,217.1-151.3,444-147.2,683.3 c1.7,100.5,12.9,199.6,41.1,296.3C93.7,2303,182.2,2433,326.7,2520.1c176.9,106.7,366.8,126.8,563.4,70.5 c150.9-43.2,260.9-138.9,327.2-282.5c33.4-72.5,47.8-149.4,52-228.7c6.5-122.8-14.1-239.5-74.3-348.1 C1074.6,1514.5,832.7,1394.2,586.7,1429.7z\"><\/path><path d=\"M2912.5,1722c-129.9-210.9-320.2-309.4-567.9-296c-22.1,1.2-44,5.1-67.4,7.9c2.2-9.6,4-17.9,6.1-26.2 c37.9-153.6,99.3-296,198.8-420.5c77.8-97.4,167.1-182.9,265.8-258.8c15.6-12,31.3-23.9,47.9-36.5 c-66.2-105.1-131.9-209.2-197.2-312.8c-3.5,1.1-5.1,1.2-6.4,2c-167.2,95.6-316.1,213.7-443.2,358.8 c-105.1,119.9-191.1,252.3-259.5,396.3c-95.5,201-152.1,411.6-159.1,634.8c-3.9,125.5,4.8,249.7,40.1,371 c46.7,160.8,135.7,290.9,280.5,378.7c165.7,100.5,344.8,123,531.2,78.8c172.4-40.8,296.4-143.9,366.3-308.5 c28.5-67.2,40.6-138,44.6-210.5C3000.2,1953.3,2979.9,1831.4,2912.5,1722z\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"blockquote-content\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"font-weight-extralight line-height-sm margin-top-0 section-heading-sm\"><span class=\"section-heading-sm\">\u201cWe are thrilled by the promise laser communications will offer in the coming years."<\/span><\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-flex\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"blockquote-image hds-cover-wrapper margin-right-3\"><figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/badri_younes_05-10-18_1-1.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Badri Younes\" 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\/2020\/04\/badri_younes_05-10-18_1-1.jpg?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/badri_younes_05-10-18_1-1.jpg?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/badri_younes_05-10-18_1-1.jpg?resize=100,100 100w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/badri_younes_05-10-18_1-1.jpg?resize=200,200 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-11\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"blockquote-credit-name line-height-sm margin-0\">Badri Younes<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"blockquote-credit-title line-height-sm padding-0 margin-0\">Deputy Associate Administrator and Program Manager for SCaN<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Laser communications systems provide missions with increased data rates, meaning they can send and receive more information in a single transmission compared to traditional radio waves. Additionally, the systems are lighter, more flexible, and more secure. Laser communications can supplement radio frequency communications, which most NASA missions use today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD)<\/h2>\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\/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: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; 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<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-article-hero-header nasa-gb-align-full bg-carbon-90 width-full maxw-full color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-article-hero-header\">\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper width-full maxw-full minh-tablet grid-container minh-tablet flex-column padding-0\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-foreground-wrapper display-flex flex-direction-column\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block margin-top-auto width-full maxw-desktop-lg padding-y-9 padding-x-3 desktop:padding-x-0 z-400\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"z-400 grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-7 z-400\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"label color-spacesuit-white margin-bottom-2\">5 Min Read<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"heading-41 line-height-md color-spacesuit-white-important\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat\u2019s Next: The Future of NASA\u2019s Laser Communications\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-5\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-left mobile-skrim-top z-200\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/microsoftteams-image-77.jpg?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" 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\/10\/microsoftteams-image-77.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/microsoftteams-image-77.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/microsoftteams-image-77.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/microsoftteams-image-77.jpg?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/microsoftteams-image-77.jpg?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/microsoftteams-image-77.jpg?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/microsoftteams-image-77.jpg?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/microsoftteams-image-77.jpg?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/microsoftteams-image-77.jpg?resize=1200,675 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"padding-y-3 padding-x-3\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block padding-x-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"hds-caption maxw-mobile\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0 color-carbon-30\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div><figcaption>LCRD communicating with ILLUMA-T over laser links. <\/figcaption><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-credits color-spacesuit-white-important\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Credits: <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>NASA \/ Dave Ryan<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n<p>On Dec. 7, 2021, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission_pages\/tdm\/lcrd\/index.html\" rel=\"noopener\">Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD)<\/a> launched into orbit, about 22,000 miles from Earth to test the capabilities of laser communications. LCRD is the agency\u2019s first technology demonstration of a two-way laser relay system. Now that LCRD is in orbit, NASA\u2019s laser communications <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/lasercomms\" rel=\"noopener\">advancements<\/a> continue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">LCRD Experimenters Program<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>In May 2022, NASA certified that LCRD is ready to conduct experiments. These experiments are testing and refining laser systems \u2014 the mission\u2019s overall goal. Experiments provided by NASA, other government agencies, academia, and industry are measuring the long-term effects of the atmosphere on laser communications signals; assessing the technology\u2019s applicability for future missions; and testing on-orbit laser relay capabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe will start receiving some experiment results almost immediately, while others are long-term and will take time for trends to emerge during LCRD\u2019s two-year experiment period,\u201d said Rick Butler, project lead for the LCRD experimenters program at <a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/goddard\/\">NASA\u2019s Goddard Space Flight Center<\/a> in Greenbelt, Maryland. \u201cLCRD will answer the aerospace industry\u2019s questions about laser communications as an operational option for high bandwidth applications.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>NASA is continuing to accept <a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/esc.gsfc.nasa.gov\/projects\/LCRD?tab=opportunities%20for%20experimenters\">proposals<\/a> for new experiments to help refine optical technologies, increase knowledge, and identify future applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe program is still looking for new experiments, and anyone who is interested should reach out,\u201d said Butler. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe are tapping into the laser communications community and these experiments will show how optical will work for international organizations, industry, and academia.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">TeraByte InfraRed Delivery (TBIRD)<\/h2>\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\/2022\/08\/tbird_downlink_to_ogs-1_graphic.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/tbird_downlink_to_ogs-1_graphic.png?w=1920\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"TBIRD communicating over laser links to Earth\" 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\/2022\/08\/tbird_downlink_to_ogs-1_graphic.png 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/tbird_downlink_to_ogs-1_graphic.png?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/tbird_downlink_to_ogs-1_graphic.png?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/tbird_downlink_to_ogs-1_graphic.png?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/tbird_downlink_to_ogs-1_graphic.png?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/tbird_downlink_to_ogs-1_graphic.png?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/tbird_downlink_to_ogs-1_graphic.png?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/tbird_downlink_to_ogs-1_graphic.png?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/tbird_downlink_to_ogs-1_graphic.png?resize=1200,675 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">TBIRD downlinking data to Earth from low-Earth orbit<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA \/ Dave Ryan<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Recently following LCRD, the <a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/goddard\/2022\/cubesat-set-to-demonstrate-nasas-fastest-laser-link-from-space\">TeraByte InfraRed Delivery (TBIRD)<\/a> payload launched on May 25, 2022, as part of the Pathfinder Technology Demonstrator 3 (PTD-3) mission, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on SpaceX\u2019s Transporter-5 rideshare mission. TBIRD will showcase 200-gigabit-per-second data downlinks \u2013 the highest optical rate ever achieved by NASA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-center padding-y-3 maxw-full width-full display-flex flex-align-center hds-module wp-block-nasa-blocks-blockquote\"><div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block display-flex flex-column flex-justify-center padding-0\">\n\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:display-flex mobile:display-block\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"blockquote-icon margin-bottom-3\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"tablet:square-4 square-4 margin-right-3\" version=\"1.1\" aria-hidden=\"true\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 3000 3000\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 3000 3000;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"> <g> <path d=\"M586.7,1429.7c-10.7,1.5-21.4,2.8-33.9,4.5c6.9-26.6,12.7-50.7,19.5-74.6c32.4-114.1,78.5-222.2,146.8-319.5 c90.2-128.5,202.5-235.3,327.7-329.1c8.4-6.3,16.7-12.6,25.3-19.1c-66.3-105.1-131.5-208.6-197.3-313.1c-3.5,1.2-5.5,1.6-7.2,2.6 C714.4,469,576.1,575.7,456,705.3c-126,135.9-226.2,289.1-303,457.8c-98.8,217.1-151.3,444-147.2,683.3 c1.7,100.5,12.9,199.6,41.1,296.3C93.7,2303,182.2,2433,326.7,2520.1c176.9,106.7,366.8,126.8,563.4,70.5 c150.9-43.2,260.9-138.9,327.2-282.5c33.4-72.5,47.8-149.4,52-228.7c6.5-122.8-14.1-239.5-74.3-348.1 C1074.6,1514.5,832.7,1394.2,586.7,1429.7z\"><\/path><path d=\"M2912.5,1722c-129.9-210.9-320.2-309.4-567.9-296c-22.1,1.2-44,5.1-67.4,7.9c2.2-9.6,4-17.9,6.1-26.2 c37.9-153.6,99.3-296,198.8-420.5c77.8-97.4,167.1-182.9,265.8-258.8c15.6-12,31.3-23.9,47.9-36.5 c-66.2-105.1-131.9-209.2-197.2-312.8c-3.5,1.1-5.1,1.2-6.4,2c-167.2,95.6-316.1,213.7-443.2,358.8 c-105.1,119.9-191.1,252.3-259.5,396.3c-95.5,201-152.1,411.6-159.1,634.8c-3.9,125.5,4.8,249.7,40.1,371 c46.7,160.8,135.7,290.9,280.5,378.7c165.7,100.5,344.8,123,531.2,78.8c172.4-40.8,296.4-143.9,366.3-308.5 c28.5-67.2,40.6-138,44.6-210.5C3000.2,1953.3,2979.9,1831.4,2912.5,1722z\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"blockquote-content\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"font-weight-extralight line-height-sm margin-top-0 section-heading-sm\"><span class=\"section-heading-sm\">\u201cWith optical communications, we\u2019re blowing it out of the water as far as the amount of data we can bring back. It is truly a game-changing capability.\u201d<\/span><\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-flex\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"blockquote-image hds-cover-wrapper margin-right-3\"><figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"109\" height=\"92\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/nasa-logo.svg?w=109&h=92&crop=1\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Beth Keer\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-11\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"blockquote-credit-name line-height-sm margin-0\">Beth Keer<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"blockquote-credit-title line-height-sm padding-0 margin-0\">TBIRD Project Manager <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>TBIRD is continuing NASA\u2019s optical communications infusion by demonstrating the benefits lasers communications could have for near-Earth science missions that capture important data and large detailed images. TBIRD is sending back terabytes of data in a single pass, demonstrating the benefits of higher bandwidth, and giving NASA more insight into the capabilities of laser communications on small satellites. TBIRD is the size of a tissue box!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIn the past, we\u2019ve designed our instruments and spacecraft around the constraint of how much data we can get down or back from space to Earth,\u201d said TBIRD Project Manager Beth Keer. \u201cWith optical communications, we\u2019re blowing it out of the water as far as the amount of data we can bring back. It is truly a game-changing capability.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Integrated LCRD Low-Earth Orbit User Modem and Amplifier Terminal (ILLUMA-T)<\/h2>\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\/10\/microsoftteams-image-77.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/microsoftteams-image-77.jpg?w=1920\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"The International Space Station communicates with the Laser Communications Relay Demonstration in space via pink laser links. \" 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\/10\/microsoftteams-image-77.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/microsoftteams-image-77.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/microsoftteams-image-77.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/microsoftteams-image-77.jpg?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/microsoftteams-image-77.jpg?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/microsoftteams-image-77.jpg?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/microsoftteams-image-77.jpg?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/microsoftteams-image-77.jpg?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/microsoftteams-image-77.jpg?resize=1200,675 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">LCRD communicating with ILLUMA-T over laser links. <\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA \/ Dave Ryan<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Launching in early 2023 in the Dragon trunk of SpaceX\u2019s 27th commercial resupply services mission to the <a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission_pages\/station\/main\/index.html\">International Space Station<\/a>, the <a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/esc.gsfc.nasa.gov\/projects\/ILLUMA-T\">Integrated LCRD Low-Earth Orbit User Modem and Amplifier Terminal (ILLUMA-T)<\/a> will bring laser communications to the orbiting laboratory and empower astronauts living and working there with enhanced data capabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>ILLUMA-T will gather information from experiments aboard the station and send the data to LCRD at 1.2 gigabits per second. At this rate, a feature-length movie could be downloaded in under a minute. LCRD will then relay this information down to ground stations in Hawaii or California.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cILLUMA-T and LCRD will work together to become the first laser system to demonstrate low-Earth orbit to geosynchronous orbit to ground communications links,\u201d said Chetan Sayal, project manager for ILLUMA-T at NASA Goddard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Orion Artemis II Optical Communications System (O2O)<\/h2>\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\/2022\/10\/orion_-_pic_0.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1152\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/orion_-_pic_0.jpg?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"An illustration depicts a black starry background with the Moon shown partially in left corner. The Orion capsule moves toward viewer with four extended solar panels.\" 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\/2022\/10\/orion_-_pic_0.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/orion_-_pic_0.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/orion_-_pic_0.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/orion_-_pic_0.jpg?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/orion_-_pic_0.jpg?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/orion_-_pic_0.jpg?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/orion_-_pic_0.jpg?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/orion_-_pic_0.jpg?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/orion_-_pic_0.jpg?resize=1200,675 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/orion_-_pic_0.jpg?resize=2000,1125 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Orion capsule orbiting the Moon.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The <a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/esc.gsfc.nasa.gov\/news\/Lasers_Light_the_Way_for_Artemis_II_Moon_Mission\">Orion Artemis II Optical Communications System (O2O)<\/a> will bring laser communications to the Moon aboard NASA\u2019s Orion spacecraft during the <a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/topics\/moon-to-mars\">Artemis II<\/a> mission. O2O will be capable of transmitting high-resolution images and video when astronauts return to the lunar region for the first time in over 50 years. Artemis II will be the first crewed lunar flight to demonstrate laser communications technologies, sending data to Earth with a downlink rate of up to 260 megabits per second.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-center padding-y-3 maxw-full width-full display-flex flex-align-center hds-module wp-block-nasa-blocks-blockquote\"><div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block display-flex flex-column flex-justify-center padding-0\">\n\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:display-flex mobile:display-block\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"blockquote-icon margin-bottom-3\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"tablet:square-4 square-4 margin-right-3\" version=\"1.1\" aria-hidden=\"true\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 3000 3000\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 3000 3000;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"> <g> <path d=\"M586.7,1429.7c-10.7,1.5-21.4,2.8-33.9,4.5c6.9-26.6,12.7-50.7,19.5-74.6c32.4-114.1,78.5-222.2,146.8-319.5 c90.2-128.5,202.5-235.3,327.7-329.1c8.4-6.3,16.7-12.6,25.3-19.1c-66.3-105.1-131.5-208.6-197.3-313.1c-3.5,1.2-5.5,1.6-7.2,2.6 C714.4,469,576.1,575.7,456,705.3c-126,135.9-226.2,289.1-303,457.8c-98.8,217.1-151.3,444-147.2,683.3 c1.7,100.5,12.9,199.6,41.1,296.3C93.7,2303,182.2,2433,326.7,2520.1c176.9,106.7,366.8,126.8,563.4,70.5 c150.9-43.2,260.9-138.9,327.2-282.5c33.4-72.5,47.8-149.4,52-228.7c6.5-122.8-14.1-239.5-74.3-348.1 C1074.6,1514.5,832.7,1394.2,586.7,1429.7z\"><\/path><path d=\"M2912.5,1722c-129.9-210.9-320.2-309.4-567.9-296c-22.1,1.2-44,5.1-67.4,7.9c2.2-9.6,4-17.9,6.1-26.2 c37.9-153.6,99.3-296,198.8-420.5c77.8-97.4,167.1-182.9,265.8-258.8c15.6-12,31.3-23.9,47.9-36.5 c-66.2-105.1-131.9-209.2-197.2-312.8c-3.5,1.1-5.1,1.2-6.4,2c-167.2,95.6-316.1,213.7-443.2,358.8 c-105.1,119.9-191.1,252.3-259.5,396.3c-95.5,201-152.1,411.6-159.1,634.8c-3.9,125.5,4.8,249.7,40.1,371 c46.7,160.8,135.7,290.9,280.5,378.7c165.7,100.5,344.8,123,531.2,78.8c172.4-40.8,296.4-143.9,366.3-308.5 c28.5-67.2,40.6-138,44.6-210.5C3000.2,1953.3,2979.9,1831.4,2912.5,1722z\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"blockquote-content\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"font-weight-extralight line-height-sm margin-top-0 section-heading-sm\"><span class=\"section-heading-sm\">\u201cBy infusing new laser communications technologies into the Artemis missions, we\u2019re empowering our astronauts with more data than ever before."<\/span><\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-flex\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"blockquote-image hds-cover-wrapper margin-right-3\"><figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"109\" height=\"92\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/nasa-logo.svg?w=109&h=92&crop=1\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"steve horowitz\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-11\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"blockquote-credit-name line-height-sm margin-0\">steve horowitz<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"blockquote-credit-title line-height-sm padding-0 margin-0\">O2O Project Manager <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cBy infusing new laser communications technologies into the Artemis missions, we\u2019re empowering our astronauts with more access to data than ever before,\u201d said O2O Project Manager Steve Horowitz. \u201cThe higher the data rates, the more information our instruments can send home to Earth, and the more science our lunar explorers can perform.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>NASA\u2019s laser communications endeavors extend into deep space as well. Currently, NASA is working on a future terminal that could test laser communications against extreme distances and challenging pointing constraints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether bringing laser communications to near-Earth missions, the Moon, or deep space, the infusion of optical systems will be integral for future NASA missions. Laser communications\u2019 higher data rates will enable exploration and science missions to send more data back to Earth and discover more about the universe. NASA will be able to use information from images, video, and experiments to explore not just the near-Earth region, but to also prepare for future missions to Mars and beyond.<\/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=\"\"><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">NASA’s Laser Communications Roadmap <\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA \/ Dave Ryan<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\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\/06\/cropped-headshot-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Kendall Murphy\"><\/div><div class=\"grid-col\"><div class=\"margin-bottom-2\"><h2 class=\"heading-29 line-height-sm\">Kendall Murphy<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"heading-12 p-md\">Technical Writer<\/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\">Kendall Murphy is a technical writer for the Space Communications and Navigation program office. She specializes in internal and external engagement, educating readers about space communications and navigation technology.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NASA uses lasers to send information to and from Earth, employing invisible beams to traverse the skies, sending terabytes of data \u2013 pictures and videos \u2013 to increase our knowledge of the universe. This capability is known as laser, or optical, communications, even though these eye-safe, infrared beams can\u2019t be seen by human eyes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":345,"featured_media":190935,"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":[3315,10576,3207,11047,2788],"news-tags":[],"internal-terms":[],"coauthors":[],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"What\u2019s Next: The Future of NASA\u2019s Laser Communications","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/somd\/space-communications-navigation-program\/whats-next-the-future-of-nasas-laser-communications\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/somd\/space-communications-navigation-program\/whats-next-the-future-of-nasas-laser-communications\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/microsoftteams-image-77.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/microsoftteams-image-77.jpg"},"articleSection":"NASA Directorates","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Kendall Murphy"}],"creator":["Kendall Murphy"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NASA","logo":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo.svg"},"keywords":["Missions","Technology Demonstration","Space Communications & Navigation Program","Communicating and Navigating with Missions","Laser Communications Relay","Space Communications Technology"],"dateCreated":"2022-08-11T18:34:00Z","datePublished":"2022-08-11T18:34:00Z","dateModified":"2023-08-04T14:43:58Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"What\u2019s Next: The Future of NASA\u2019s Laser Communications\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/somd\/space-communications-navigation-program\/whats-next-the-future-of-nasas-laser-communications\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"post\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-image-url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/microsoftteams-image-77.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2022-08-11T18:34:00Z\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-section\" content=\"NASA Directorates\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-tags\" content=\"Missions,Technology Demonstration,Space Communications & Navigation Program,Communicating and Navigating with Missions,Laser Communications Relay,Space Communications Technology\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"Kendall Murphy\" \/>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/nasa.gov\/p.js"},"read_time":5,"time_ago":"2 years","featured_image":{"id":190935,"file":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/microsoftteams-image-77.jpg","title":"ILLUMA-T","alt":"ILLUMA-T and LCRD communicating over red laser links.","caption":"LCRD communicating with ILLUMA-T over laser links. 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