{"id":61530,"date":"2021-05-26T18:30:00","date_gmt":"2021-05-26T22:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?migration=converted-node-471330"},"modified":"2024-03-27T10:24:59","modified_gmt":"2024-03-27T14:24:59","slug":"nasa-laser-communications-innovations-a-timeline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/centers-and-facilities\/goddard\/nasa-laser-communications-innovations-a-timeline\/","title":{"rendered":"NASA Laser Communications Innovations: A Timeline"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong><em>Editor’s Note: Find a more up-to-date article on NASA’s laser communications roadmap <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/somd\/space-communications-navigation-program\/whats-next-the-future-of-nasas-laser-communications\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/somd\/space-communications-navigation-program\/whats-next-the-future-of-nasas-laser-communications\/\">here<\/a>. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Laser communications will revolutionize the way NASA sends and receives information to and from space. Leveraging the advantages of infrared light, laser systems will provide missions with extraordinary data capabilities, leading NASA into the next era of space communications. This summer, NASA will launch the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission_pages\/tdm\/lcrd\/index.html\">Laser Communications Relay Demonstration<\/a> (LCRD) to test the validity of laser systems. However, LCRD is just one laser communications mission on the road to operational laser communications with both predecessors and follow-on missions.<\/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\/optical_comm_roadmap_1.0.jpg\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"807\" height=\"2048\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/optical_comm_roadmap_1.0.jpg?w=807\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"An info-graphic detailing NASA's laser communications technology roadmap. \" 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\/optical_comm_roadmap_1.0.jpg 3300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/optical_comm_roadmap_1.0.jpg?resize=118,300 118w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/optical_comm_roadmap_1.0.jpg?resize=768,1948 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/optical_comm_roadmap_1.0.jpg?resize=404,1024 404w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/optical_comm_roadmap_1.0.jpg?resize=605,1536 605w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/optical_comm_roadmap_1.0.jpg?resize=807,2048 807w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/optical_comm_roadmap_1.0.jpg?resize=158,400 158w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/optical_comm_roadmap_1.0.jpg?resize=237,600 237w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/optical_comm_roadmap_1.0.jpg?resize=355,900 355w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/optical_comm_roadmap_1.0.jpg?resize=473,1200 473w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/optical_comm_roadmap_1.0.jpg?resize=788,2000 788w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 807px) 100vw, 807px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p><a class=\"dp-migrated-file\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/optical_comm_roadmap_508.pdf?emrc=66ee4d\">Download a pdf of the Laser Communications Roadmap<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Previous Laser Communications Missions:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>In 2013, NASA launched the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/content\/goddard\/historic-demonstration-proves-laser-communication-possible\">Lunar Laser Communications Demonstration<\/a> (LLCD), which sent laser communications signals from the Moon at 600 megabits per second, proving this cutting-edge technology 238,000 miles from Earth. This mission set the stage for future laser communications research and development.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Other previous laser missions include the 2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission_pages\/station\/research\/news\/opals_data_rates_soar\">Optical Payload for Lasercomm Science<\/a> (OPALS) experiment \u2013 a four-month laser communications demonstration onboard the International Space Station. As well as the 2017 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/spacetech\/small_spacecraft\/ocsd_project.html\">Optical Communications and Sensor Demonstration<\/a> (OCSD), which conducted the first-ever high-speed laser communications downlink from a CubeSat to a ground station.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Current Laser Communications Missions:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Building upon the success of these missions, NASA will test a variety of laser communications applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Launching in 2021, NASA\u2019s LCRD mission will be the agency\u2019s first technology demonstration of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/goddard\/2021\/laser-communications-empowering-more-data-than-ever-before\">two-way laser relay system<\/a>. The mission will test laser capabilities with experiments, one of which will study atmospheric impacts like clouds, which can block or damage laser signals. Similar to how if you block a television remote, you block the signal. Humans already use the concept behind laser communications with their televisions. Using infrared light, remotes send signals to control a television.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>NASA is testing laser communications in both large and small satellites. Although just the size of a shoebox, in late 2021 the <a href=\"https:\/\/ui.adsabs.harvard.edu\/abs\/2018SPIE10524E..0VR\/abstract\" rel=\"noopener\">TeraByte InfraRed Delivery<\/a> (TBIRD) mission will demonstrate a burst-like laser downlink of 200 gigabits-per-second (Gbps) \u2013 a new record for data rates. With multiple passes a day, TBIRD will send back terabytes of data \u2013 roughly 250, 120-minute movies \u2013 and give NASA more insight into the capabilities of lasers on small satellites.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Laser terminals are ideal for spacecraft like the International Space Station because they require less size, weight, and power \u2013 a key benefit when designing new mission concepts. In 2022, LCRD\u2019s first orbiting experimental user will be the <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) aboard the space station. ILLUMA-T is capable of communicating high-resolution images and videos of ongoing experiments down to Earth for investigation and discovery.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These missions will give NASA increased knowledge about laser communications systems near Earth. As NASA journeys further into space than ever before, missions at the Moon and in deep space will also benefit from advanced communications capabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>NASA\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/specials\/artemis\/\">Artemis<\/a> II will leverage laser communications, sending back critical data to increase our knowledge of the Moon for when the agency lands the first woman and next man on the surface and establishes a sustainable presence. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/heo\/scan\/opticalcommunications\/o2o\/\">Orion Artemis II Optical Communications System<\/a> (O2O) terminal will enable an ultra-high-definition video feed between Artemis II and Earth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>NASA\u2019s laser communications endeavors extend into deep space as well. Launching in 2022, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission_pages\/psyche\/overview\/index.html\">Psyche<\/a> mission will embark on a three and a half year journey to reach its destination at its namesake asteroid, over 150 million miles away from Earth. During the first year of its voyage, the onboard <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission_pages\/tdm\/dsoc\/index.html\">Deep Space Optical Communication<\/a>s (DSOC) payload will test laser communications against the distinctive challenges presented by deep space exploration \u2013 extreme distance pointing. DSOC will give NASA insight into laser communications capabilities farther than ever before, proving these systems are viable for deep space exploration.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>With all of these laser missions in development, one might think the night sky will be filled with a colorful laser light show. However, the infrared light used for laser communications is invisible to human eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As use of laser communications systems becomes frequent, the importance of standardization increases. Following common standards for laser communications will eliminate the need for missions to design their systems from the ground up, resulting in cost savings and interoperability between spacecraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Through NASA missions, the aerospace community is garnering extensive knowledge about the capabilities and challenges of laser communications in different environments. LCRD, launching no earlier than June 23, 2021, is one of the first steps in showcasing laser communications systems, setting the stage for future science and exploration missions to embrace and standardize this technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For more background information on LCRD, please visit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/goddard\/2021\/laser-communications-empowering-more-data-than-ever-before\">Laser Communications: Empowering More Data Than Ever Before | NASA<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission_pages\/tdm\/lcrd\/overview.html\">What is the Laser Communications Relay Demonstration? | NASA<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>LCRD is a NASA payload aboard the Department of Defense\u2019s Space Test Program Satellite-6 (STPSat-6). STPSat-6, part of the third Space Test Program (STP-3) mission, will launch on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V 551 rocket from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. STP is operated by the United States Space Force\u2019s Space and Missile Systems Center. <\/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\n<p><\/p>\n\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-3 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\tNASA Laser Communications Innovations: A Timeline\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=\"985\" height=\"554\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/lcrd-virtual-background.jpg?w=985\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"LCRD communicating to ISS over laser links\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); 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\" \/><\/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 desktop:padding-x-3\">\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 over laser links to ILLUMA-T on the International Space Station. <\/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<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>Editor’s Note: Find a more up-to-date article on NASA’s laser communications roadmap here. Laser communications will revolutionize the way NASA sends and receives information to and from space. Leveraging the advantages of infrared light, laser systems will provide missions with extraordinary data capabilities, leading NASA into the next era of space communications. This summer, NASA [...]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":239,"featured_media":62414,"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":[2857,3207,3315,2788],"news-tags":[],"internal-terms":[],"coauthors":[10602],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"NASA Laser Communications Innovations: A Timeline","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/centers-and-facilities\/goddard\/nasa-laser-communications-innovations-a-timeline\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/centers-and-facilities\/goddard\/nasa-laser-communications-innovations-a-timeline\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/optical_comm_roadmap_1.0.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/optical_comm_roadmap_1.0.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","Laser Communications Relay","Space Communications & Navigation Program"],"dateCreated":"2021-05-26T22:30:00Z","datePublished":"2021-05-26T22:30:00Z","dateModified":"2024-03-27T14:24:59Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"NASA Laser Communications Innovations: A Timeline\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/centers-and-facilities\/goddard\/nasa-laser-communications-innovations-a-timeline\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"post\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-image-url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/optical_comm_roadmap_1.0.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2021-05-26T22:30:00Z\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-section\" content=\"NASA Centers & Facilities\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-tags\" content=\"Missions,Technology Demonstration,Goddard Space Flight Center,Laser Communications Relay,Space Communications & Navigation Program\" \/>\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":62414,"file":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/optical_comm_roadmap_1.0.jpg","title":"optical_comm_roadmap_1.0","alt":"An info-graphic detailing NASA's laser communications technology roadmap.","caption":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61530"}],"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=61530"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61530\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":637591,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61530\/revisions\/637591"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/62414"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=61530"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=61530"},{"taxonomy":"news-tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-tags?post=61530"},{"taxonomy":"internal-terms","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-terms?post=61530"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=61530"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}