{"id":604092,"date":"2024-02-08T11:27:40","date_gmt":"2024-02-08T16:27:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?p=604092"},"modified":"2024-02-13T10:41:41","modified_gmt":"2024-02-13T15:41:41","slug":"nasas-new-experimental-antenna-tracks-deep-space-laser","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/technology\/space-comms\/deep-space-network\/nasas-new-experimental-antenna-tracks-deep-space-laser\/","title":{"rendered":"NASA\u2019s New Experimental Antenna Tracks Deep Space Laser"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\"padding-top-5 padding-bottom-3 width-full maxw-full hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-article-intro\"><div class=\"width-full maxw-full article-header\"><div class=\"margin-bottom-2 width-full maxw-full\"><p class=\"label carbon-60 margin-0 margin-bottom-3 padding-0\">5 min read<\/p><h1 class=\"display-48 margin-bottom-2\">NASA\u2019s New Experimental Antenna Tracks Deep Space Laser<\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/div>\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\/2024\/02\/1-pia26148-rf-optical-prototype.jpg\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1536\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/1-pia26148-rf-optical-prototype.jpg?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Deep Space Station 13\" 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\/2024\/02\/1-pia26148-rf-optical-prototype.jpg 4032w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/1-pia26148-rf-optical-prototype.jpg?resize=300,225 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/1-pia26148-rf-optical-prototype.jpg?resize=768,576 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/1-pia26148-rf-optical-prototype.jpg?resize=1024,768 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/1-pia26148-rf-optical-prototype.jpg?resize=1536,1152 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/1-pia26148-rf-optical-prototype.jpg?resize=2048,1536 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/1-pia26148-rf-optical-prototype.jpg?resize=400,300 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/1-pia26148-rf-optical-prototype.jpg?resize=600,450 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/1-pia26148-rf-optical-prototype.jpg?resize=900,675 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/1-pia26148-rf-optical-prototype.jpg?resize=1200,900 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/1-pia26148-rf-optical-prototype.jpg?resize=2000,1500 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Deep Space Station 13 at NASA\u2019s Goldstone complex in California \u2013 part of the agency\u2019s Deep Space Network \u2013 is an experimental antenna that has been retrofitted with an optical terminal. In a first, this proof of concept received both radio frequency and laser signals from deep space at the same time.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA\/JPL-Caltech<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p><em>Capable of receiving both radio frequency and optical signals, the DSN\u2019s hybrid antenna has tracked and decoded the downlink laser from DSOC, aboard NASA\u2019s Psyche mission.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An experimental antenna has received both radio frequency and near-infrared laser signals from NASA\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jpl.nasa.gov\/missions\/psyche\" rel=\"noopener\">Psyche<\/a> spacecraft as it travels through deep space. This shows it\u2019s possible for the giant dish antennas of NASA\u2019s Deep Space Network (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.jpl.nasa.gov\/missions\/dsn\" rel=\"noopener\">DSN<\/a>), which communicate with spacecraft via radio waves, to be retrofitted for optical, or laser, communications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By packing more data into transmissions, optical communication will enable new space exploration capabilities while supporting the DSN as demand on the network <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jpl.nasa.gov\/news\/nasas-deep-space-network-turns-60-and-prepares-for-the-future\" rel=\"noopener\">grows<\/a>.<\/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\/2024\/02\/2-pia26148-fig-a-optical-enclosure-close.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"998\" height=\"837\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/2-pia26148-fig-a-optical-enclosure-close.png?w=998\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Close-up of the optical terminal on Deep Space Station 13\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 36% 31%; object-position: 36% 31%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/2-pia26148-fig-a-optical-enclosure-close.png 998w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/2-pia26148-fig-a-optical-enclosure-close.png?resize=300,252 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/2-pia26148-fig-a-optical-enclosure-close.png?resize=768,644 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/2-pia26148-fig-a-optical-enclosure-close.png?resize=400,335 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/2-pia26148-fig-a-optical-enclosure-close.png?resize=600,503 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/2-pia26148-fig-a-optical-enclosure-close.png?resize=900,755 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 998px) 100vw, 998px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">A close-up of the optical terminal on Deep Space Station 13 shows seven hexagonal mirrors that collect signals from DSOC\u2019s downlink laser. The mirrors reflect the light into a camera directly above, and the signal is then sent to a detector via a system of optical fiber.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA\/JPL-Caltech<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The 34-meter (112-foot) radio-frequency-optical-hybrid antenna, called Deep Space Station 13, has tracked the downlink laser from NASA\u2019s Deep Space Optical Communications (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission\/deep-space-optical-communications-dsoc\/\">DSOC<\/a>) technology demonstration since November 2023. The tech demo\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jpl.nasa.gov\/images\/pia24569-dsocs-flight-laser-transceiver\" rel=\"noopener\">flight laser transceiver<\/a> is riding with the agency\u2019s Psyche spacecraft, which <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jpl.nasa.gov\/news\/nasas-psyche-spacecraft-optical-comms-demo-en-route-to-asteroid\" rel=\"noopener\">launched<\/a> on Oct. 13, 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The hybrid antenna is located at the DSN\u2019s Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex, near Barstow, California, and isn\u2019t part of the DSOC experiment. The DSN, DSOC, and Psyche are managed by NASA\u2019s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOur hybrid antenna has been able to successfully and reliably lock onto and track the DSOC downlink since shortly after the tech demo launched,\u201d said Amy Smith, DSN deputy manager at JPL. \u201cIt also received Psyche\u2019s radio frequency signal, so we have demonstrated synchronous radio and optical frequency deep space communications for the first time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-image-carousel grid-container grid-container-block padding-top-8 padding-bottom-8 hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-image-carousel\">\t\t<div class=\"hds-carousel-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"image-carousel-slider margin-0\" id=\"image-carousel-slider\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-block width-full\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"margin-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper hds-image-carousel-slide margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"438\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/e1-pia23617-hybrid-antenna-concept.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Goldstone\u2019s experimental hybrid antenna\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 54% 23%; object-position: 54% 23%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/e1-pia23617-hybrid-antenna-concept.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/e1-pia23617-hybrid-antenna-concept.jpg?resize=300,205 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/e1-pia23617-hybrid-antenna-concept.jpg?resize=768,525 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/e1-pia23617-hybrid-antenna-concept.jpg?resize=1024,700 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/e1-pia23617-hybrid-antenna-concept.jpg?resize=1536,1051 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/e1-pia23617-hybrid-antenna-concept.jpg?resize=400,274 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/e1-pia23617-hybrid-antenna-concept.jpg?resize=600,410 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/e1-pia23617-hybrid-antenna-concept.jpg?resize=900,616 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/e1-pia23617-hybrid-antenna-concept.jpg?resize=1200,821 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Now that Goldstone\u2019s experimental hybrid antenna has proved that both radio and laser signals can be received synchronously by the same antenna, purpose-built hybrid antennas (like the one depicted here in an artist\u2019s concept) could one day become a reality.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA\/JPL-Caltech<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-block width-full\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"margin-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper hds-image-carousel-slide margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/e2-group-photo-download.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Project team at JPL\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 52% 78%; object-position: 52% 78%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/e2-group-photo-download.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/e2-group-photo-download.jpg?resize=300,225 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/e2-group-photo-download.jpg?resize=768,576 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/e2-group-photo-download.jpg?resize=1024,768 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/e2-group-photo-download.jpg?resize=1536,1151 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/e2-group-photo-download.jpg?resize=2048,1535 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/e2-group-photo-download.jpg?resize=400,300 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/e2-group-photo-download.jpg?resize=600,450 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/e2-group-photo-download.jpg?resize=900,675 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/e2-group-photo-download.jpg?resize=1200,900 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/e2-group-photo-download.jpg?resize=2000,1499 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">During a test of the experimental antenna, this photo of the project team at JPL was downlinked by the DSOC transceiver aboard Psyche. <\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA\/JPL-Caltech<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-carousel-nav display-flex margin-left-auto margin-right-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<button class=\"hds-carousel-nav-arrow hds-carousel-arrow-prev\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"9px\" height=\"9px\" viewBox=\"0 0 9 9\"><path class=\"st0\" d=\"M3.5,4.5l3.7-3.6L6.3,0L1.8,4.5L6.3,9l0.9-0.9L3.5,4.5z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<button class=\"hds-carousel-nav-arrow hds-carousel-arrow-next margin-right-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"9px\" height=\"9px\" viewBox=\"0 0 9 9\"><path class=\"st0\" d=\"M5.5,4.5L1.8,8.1L2.7,9l4.5-4.5L2.7,0L1.8,0.9L5.5,4.5z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n<p>In late 2023, the hybrid antenna downlinked data from 20 million miles (32 million kilometers) away at a rate of 15.63 megabits per second \u2013 about 40 times faster than radio frequency communications at that distance. On Jan. 1, 2024, the antenna downlinked a team photograph that had been uploaded to DSOC before Psyche\u2019s launch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Two for One<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In order to detect the laser\u2019s photons (quantum particles of light), seven ultra-precise segmented mirrors were attached to the inside of the hybrid antenna\u2019s curved surface. Resembling the <a href=\"https:\/\/webb.nasa.gov\/content\/observatory\/ote\/mirrors\/index.html#1b\" rel=\"noopener\">hexagonal mirrors<\/a> of NASA\u2019s James Webb Space Telescope, these segments mimic the light-collecting aperture of a 3.3-foot (1-meter) aperture telescope. As the laser photons arrive at the antenna, each mirror reflects the photons and precisely redirects them into a high-exposure camera attached to the antenna\u2019s subreflector suspended above the center of the dish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The laser signal collected by the camera is then transmitted through optical fiber that feeds into a cryogenically cooled semiconducting nanowire single photon detector. Designed and built by JPL\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/microdevices.jpl.nasa.gov\/news\/superconducting-nanowire-single-photon-detectors-for-dsoc\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Microdevices Laboratory<\/a>, the detector is identical <a href=\"https:\/\/photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov\/catalog\/PIA26141\" rel=\"noopener\">to the one<\/a> used at Caltech\u2019s Palomar Observatory, in San Diego County, California, which acts as DSOC\u2019s downlink ground station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s a high-tolerance optical system built on a 34-meter flexible structure,\u201d said Barzia Tehrani, communications ground systems deputy manager and delivery manager for the hybrid antenna at JPL. \u201cWe use a system of mirrors, precise sensors, and cameras to actively align and direct laser from deep space into a fiber reaching the detector.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tehrani hopes the antenna will be sensitive enough to detect the laser signal sent from Mars at its farthest point from Earth (2 \u00bd times the distance from the Sun to Earth). Psyche will be at that distance in June on its way to the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter to investigate the metal-rich asteroid Psyche.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The seven-segment reflector on the antenna is a proof of concept for a scaled-up and more powerful version with 64 segments \u2013 the equivalent of a 26-foot (8-meter) aperture telescope \u2013 that could be used in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>An Infrastructure Solution<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>DSOC is paving the way for higher-data-rate communications capable of transmitting complex scientific information, video, and high-definition imagery in support of humanity\u2019s next giant leap: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/moontomarsarchitecture\/\">sending humans to Mars<\/a>. The tech demo recently <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jpl.nasa.gov\/news\/nasas-tech-demo-streams-first-video-from-deep-space-via-laser\" rel=\"noopener\">streamed<\/a> the first ultra-high-definition video from deep space at record-setting bitrates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Retrofitting radio frequency antennas with optical terminals and constructing purpose-built hybrid antennas could be a solution to the current lack of a dedicated optical ground infrastructure. The DSN has 14 dishes distributed across facilities in California, Madrid, and Canberra, Australia. Hybrid antennas could rely on optical communications to receive high volumes of data and use radio frequencies for less bandwidth-intensive data, such as telemetry (health and positional information).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cFor decades, we have been adding new radio frequencies to the DSN\u2019s giant antennas located around the globe, so the most feasible next step is to include optical frequencies,\u201d said Tehrani. \u201cWe can have one asset doing two things at the same time; converting our communication roads into highways and saving time, money, and resources.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>More About the Mission<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>DSOC is the latest in a series of optical communication demonstrations funded by NASA\u2019s Technology Demonstration Missions (TDM) program and the agency\u2019s Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) program. JPL, a division of Caltech in Pasadena, California, manages DSOC for TDM within NASA\u2019s Space Technology Mission Directorate and SCaN within the agency\u2019s Space Operations Mission Directorate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For more about NASA\u2019s optical communications projects, visit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/lasercomms\/\">https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/lasercomms\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-center nasa-button-link padding-y-1 padding-x-0 hds-module wp-block-nasa-blocks-related-link\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.jpl.nasa.gov\/news\/nasas-deep-space-network-turns-60-and-prepares-for-the-future\" target=\"_self\" class=\"button-primary button-primary-md link-external-true\" aria-label=\"NASA\u2019s Deep Space Network Turns 60 and Prepares for the Future\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t<span class=\"line-height-alt-1\">NASA\u2019s Deep Space Network Turns 60 and Prepares for the Future<\/span>\n\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"button-primary-circle\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t<\/a>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-center nasa-button-link padding-y-1 padding-x-0 hds-module wp-block-nasa-blocks-related-link\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.jpl.nasa.gov\/news\/nasas-tech-demo-streams-first-video-from-deep-space-via-laser\" target=\"_self\" class=\"button-primary button-primary-md link-external-true\" aria-label=\"NASA\u2019s Tech Demo Streams First Video From Deep Space via Laser\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t<span class=\"line-height-alt-1\">NASA\u2019s Tech Demo Streams First Video From Deep Space via Laser<\/span>\n\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"button-primary-circle\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t<\/a>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-center nasa-button-link padding-y-1 padding-x-0 hds-module wp-block-nasa-blocks-related-link\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.jpl.nasa.gov\/edu\/news\/2024\/1\/29\/the-nasa-cat-video-explained\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"button-primary button-primary-md link-external-true\" aria-label=\"Teachable Moment: NASA Cat Video Explained\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t<span class=\"line-height-alt-1\">Teachable Moment: NASA Cat Video Explained<\/span>\n\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"button-primary-circle\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t<\/a>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>News Media Contact<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ian J. O\u2019Neill<br>Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.<br>818-354-2649<br><a href=\"mailto:ian.j.oneill@jpl.nasa.gov\">ian.j.oneill@jpl.nasa.gov<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>2024-012<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full width-full maxw-full padding-x-3 padding-y-0 nasa_template_article_a hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-credits-and-details\">\n<section class=\"padding-x-0 padding-top-5 padding-bottom-2 desktop:padding-top-7 desktop:padding-bottom-9\">\n\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0\">\n\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-2 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-14\">Share<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"social-icons social-icons-round\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-x\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/intent\/tweet?via=NASA&text=NASA%E2%80%99s%20New%20Experimental%20Antenna%20Tracks%20Deep%20Space%20Laser&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasa.gov%2Ftechnology%2Fspace-comms%2Fdeep-space-network%2Fnasas-new-experimental-antenna-tracks-deep-space-laser%2F\" aria-label=\"Share on X.\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"1200\" height=\"1227\" viewBox=\"0 0 1200 1227\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M714.163 519.284L1160.89 0H1055.03L667.137 450.887L357.328 0H0L468.492 681.821L0 1226.37H105.866L515.491 750.218L842.672 1226.37H1200L714.137 519.284H714.163ZM569.165 687.828L521.697 619.934L144.011 79.6944H306.615L611.412 515.685L658.88 583.579L1055.08 1150.3H892.476L569.165 687.854V687.828Z\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-facebook\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasa.gov%2Ftechnology%2Fspace-comms%2Fdeep-space-network%2Fnasas-new-experimental-antenna-tracks-deep-space-laser%2F\" aria-label=\"Share on Facebook.\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M9 8h-3v4h3v12h5v-12h3.642l.358-4h-4v-1.667c0-.955.192-1.333 1.115-1.333h2.885v-5h-3.808c-3.596 0-5.192 1.583-5.192 4.615v3.385z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-linkedin\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasa.gov%2Ftechnology%2Fspace-comms%2Fdeep-space-network%2Fnasas-new-experimental-antenna-tracks-deep-space-laser%2F\" aria-label=\"Share on LinkedIn.\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M4.98 3.5c0 1.381-1.11 2.5-2.48 2.5s-2.48-1.119-2.48-2.5c0-1.38 1.11-2.5 2.48-2.5s2.48 1.12 2.48 2.5zm.02 4.5h-5v16h5v-16zm7.982 0h-4.968v16h4.969v-8.399c0-4.67 6.029-5.052 6.029 0v8.399h4.988v-10.131c0-7.88-8.922-7.593-11.018-3.714v-2.155z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-rss\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"\/feed\/\" aria-label=\"Subscribe to RSS feed.\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 800 800\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M493 652H392c0-134-111-244-244-244V307c189 0 345 156 345 345zm71 0c0-228-188-416-416-416V132c285 0 520 235 520 520z\"\/><circle cx=\"219\" cy=\"581\" r=\"71\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-5 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-14\">Details<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row margin-bottom-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"subheading\">Last Updated<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-8\">Feb 13, 2024<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-5 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\"><div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black \"><div class=\"margin-bottom-2\"><h2 class=\"heading-14\">Related Terms<\/h2><\/div><ul class=\"article-tags\"><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/somd\/space-communications-navigation-program\/what-is-the-deep-space-network\/\">Deep Space Network<\/a><\/li><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission\/deep-space-optical-communications-dsoc\/\">Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC)<\/a><\/li><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nasa-directorates\/space-operations\/space-communications-and-navigation-scan-program\/\">Space Communications & Navigation Program<\/a><\/li><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/communicating-with-missions\/\">Space Communications Technology<\/a><\/li><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/space-operations\/\">Space Operations Mission Directorate<\/a><\/li><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/space-technology-mission-directorate\/\">Space Technology Mission Directorate<\/a><\/li><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/technology-demonstration-missions-tdm\/\">Technology Demonstration<\/a><\/li><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/technology-demonstration-missions-tdm\/\">Technology Demonstration Missions Program<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\t<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full width-full maxw-full padding-x-3 padding-y-0 hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-related-articles\">\t\t<section class=\"hds-related-articles padding-x-0 padding-y-3 desktop:padding-top-7 desktop:padding-bottom-9\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"w-100 grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0 text-align-left\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-4\"><h2 style=\"max-width: 100%;\" class=\"width-full w-full maxw-full\">Explore More<\/h2><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/stmd\/nasa-doubles-down-advances-six-innovative-tech-concepts-to-new-phase\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"92\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024-niac-ph-ii.png?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" 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\/2024\/04\/2024-niac-ph-ii.png 4053w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024-niac-ph-ii.png?resize=300,92 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024-niac-ph-ii.png?resize=768,236 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024-niac-ph-ii.png?resize=1024,315 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024-niac-ph-ii.png?resize=1536,473 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024-niac-ph-ii.png?resize=2048,630 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024-niac-ph-ii.png?resize=400,123 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024-niac-ph-ii.png?resize=600,185 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024-niac-ph-ii.png?resize=900,277 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024-niac-ph-ii.png?resize=1200,369 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2024-niac-ph-ii.png?resize=2000,615 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">3 min read<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"related-article-title\">NASA Doubles Down, Advances Six Innovative Tech Concepts to New Phase<\/h3><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2 days ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/stmd\/niac\/niac-studies\/sciencecraft-for-outer-planet-exploration-scope\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"158\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/sciencecraft-outer-planet-exploration.jpg?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" 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\/2024\/04\/sciencecraft-outer-planet-exploration.jpg 432w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/sciencecraft-outer-planet-exploration.jpg?resize=300,158 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/sciencecraft-outer-planet-exploration.jpg?resize=400,211 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">2 min read<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"related-article-title\">ScienceCraft for Outer Planet Exploration (SCOPE)<\/h3><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t3 days ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/stmd\/niac\/niac-studies\/flexible-levitation-on-a-track-float\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa\/assets\/images\/default-thumbnail.jpg\" ><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">3 min read<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"related-article-title\">Flexible Levitation on a Track (FLOAT)<\/h3><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t3 days ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-topic-cards nasa-gb-align-full maxw-full width-full padding-y-6 padding-x-3 color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-topic-cards\">\t\t<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block-lg padding-x-0\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-center margin-bottom-3\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"desktop:grid-col-8 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-2\">Keep Exploring<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-36 line-height-sm\">Discover Related Topics<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-gap-2 hds-topic-cards-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Missions<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/plugins\/nasa-blocks\/assets\/images\/topic-cards\/topic-card-sample-1.jpg\" ><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Humans in Space<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/plugins\/nasa-blocks\/assets\/images\/topic-cards\/topic-card-sample-2.jpg\" ><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Climate Change<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/plugins\/nasa-blocks\/assets\/images\/topic-cards\/topic-card-sample-3.jpg\" ><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Solar System<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/plugins\/nasa-blocks\/assets\/images\/topic-cards\/topic-card-sample-4.jpg\" ><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Capable of receiving both radio frequency and optical signals, the DSN\u2019s hybrid antenna has tracked and decoded the downlink laser from DSOC, aboard NASA\u2019s Psyche mission. An experimental antenna has received both radio frequency and near-infrared laser signals from NASA\u2019s Psyche spacecraft as it travels through deep space. This shows it\u2019s possible for the giant [...]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":53,"featured_media":604094,"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":[3316,12412,3315,11047,2877,2879,2788,3335],"news-tags":[],"internal-terms":[],"coauthors":[12651],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"NASA\u2019s New Experimental Antenna Tracks Deep Space Laser","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/technology\/space-comms\/deep-space-network\/nasas-new-experimental-antenna-tracks-deep-space-laser\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/technology\/space-comms\/deep-space-network\/nasas-new-experimental-antenna-tracks-deep-space-laser\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/1-pia26148-rf-optical-prototype.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/1-pia26148-rf-optical-prototype.jpg"},"articleSection":"Technology","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Jet Propulsion Laboratory"}],"creator":["Jet Propulsion Laboratory"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NASA","logo":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo.svg"},"keywords":["NASA Directorates","Space Technology Mission Directorate","Technology Demonstration Missions Program","Deep Space Network","Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC)","Space Communications & Navigation Program","Space Communications Technology","Space Operations Mission Directorate","Technology Demonstration"],"dateCreated":"2024-02-08T16:27:40Z","datePublished":"2024-02-08T16:27:40Z","dateModified":"2024-02-13T15:41:41Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"NASA\u2019s New Experimental Antenna Tracks Deep Space Laser\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/technology\/space-comms\/deep-space-network\/nasas-new-experimental-antenna-tracks-deep-space-laser\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"post\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-image-url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/1-pia26148-rf-optical-prototype.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2024-02-08T16:27:40Z\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-section\" content=\"Technology\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-tags\" content=\"NASA Directorates,Space Technology Mission Directorate,Technology Demonstration Missions Program,Deep Space Network,Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC),Space Communications & Navigation Program,Space Communications Technology,Space Operations Mission Directorate,Technology Demonstration\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"Jet Propulsion Laboratory\" \/>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/nasa.gov\/p.js"},"read_time":5,"time_ago":"3 months","featured_image":{"id":604094,"file":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/1-pia26148-rf-optical-prototype.jpg","title":"Deep Space Station 13","alt":"Deep Space Station 13","caption":"Deep Space Station 13 at NASA\u2019s Goldstone complex in California \u2013 part of the agency\u2019s Deep Space Network \u2013 is an experimental antenna that has been retrofitted with an optical terminal. In a first, this proof of concept received both radio frequency and laser signals from deep space at the same time."},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/604092"}],"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\/53"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=604092"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/604092\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":611295,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/604092\/revisions\/611295"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/604094"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=604092"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=604092"},{"taxonomy":"news-tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-tags?post=604092"},{"taxonomy":"internal-terms","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-terms?post=604092"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=604092"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}