{"id":254405,"date":"2023-03-23T14:25:10","date_gmt":"2023-03-23T18:25:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?post_type=topic&p=254405"},"modified":"2023-09-27T14:15:02","modified_gmt":"2023-09-27T18:15:02","slug":"lasercomms","status":"publish","type":"topic","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/communicating-with-missions\/lasercomms\/","title":{"rendered":"Optical Communications"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full maxw-full width-full padding-0 hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-page-intro\">\n\t<div class=\"padding-0 bg-spacesuit-white wp-block-nasa-blocks-page-intro\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-container grid-container-block flex-align-center padding-y-8 padding-bottom-4 desktop:padding-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6 padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"page-heading-lg\">Optical<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p-lg padding-0\">As science instruments evolve to capture high-definition data like 4K video, missions will need expedited ways to transmit information to Earth. With laser communications, NASA can significantly accelerate the data transfer process and empower more discoveries. Optical, or laser, communications will enable 10 to 100 times more data transmitted back to Earth than current radio frequency systems.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6 padding-left-0 desktop:padding-left-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"page-intro-quick-facts border-top-1px border-color-carbon-30-important padding-top-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"label margin-top-0 margin-bottom-2 color-carbon-50-important\">Quick Facts<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-carousel-wrapper hds-carousel-wrapper-relative\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"quick-facts-slider margin-bottom-1 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"quick-facts-slide\" data-slide-id=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-center\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-10 padding-right-2 desktop:padding-right-5\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p-md padding-0 margin-0\">Optical communications systems are ideal for missions because they need less volume, weight, and power. Less mass means more room for science instruments, and less power means less of a drain of spacecraft power systems.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-2 display-flex flex-justify-center\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"quick-facts-slider-image radius-pill\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/lcrd-down.png?w=640\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"Optical communications systems are ideal for missions because they need less volume, weight, and power. Less mass means more room for science instruments, and less power means less of a drain of spacecraft power systems.\" 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\/2020\/08\/lcrd-down.png 1280w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/lcrd-down.png?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/lcrd-down.png?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/lcrd-down.png?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/lcrd-down.png?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/lcrd-down.png?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/lcrd-down.png?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/lcrd-down.png?resize=1200,675 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"quick-facts-slide\" data-slide-id=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-center\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-10 padding-right-2 desktop:padding-right-5\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p-md padding-0 margin-0\">It would take roughly nine weeks to transmit a complete map of Mars back to Earth with current radio frequency systems. With lasers, it would take about nine days.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-2 display-flex flex-justify-center\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"quick-facts-slider-image radius-pill\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?w=640\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"It would take roughly nine weeks to transmit a complete map of Mars back to Earth with current radio frequency systems. With lasers, it would take about nine days.\" style=\"transform: scale(1.02); transform-origin: 50% 39%; object-position: 50% 39%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg 3840w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?resize=2048,1152 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?resize=1200,675 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?resize=2000,1125 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"quick-facts-slide\" data-slide-id=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-center\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-10 padding-right-2 desktop:padding-right-5\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p-md padding-0 margin-0\">Infrared light packs data into significantly tighter waves, meaning ground stations can receive more data at once.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-2 display-flex flex-justify-center\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"quick-facts-slider-image radius-pill\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/microsoftteams-image-77.jpg?w=640\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"Infrared light packs data into significantly tighter waves, meaning ground stations can receive more data at once.\" 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\/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: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"quick-facts-slide\" data-slide-id=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-center\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-10 padding-right-2 desktop:padding-right-5\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p-md padding-0 margin-0\">Although optical communications systems reduce size, weight, and power requirements, the entire Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) payload is actually the size of a standard king-sized mattress!<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-2 display-flex flex-justify-center\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"quick-facts-slider-image radius-pill\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/tbird_downlink_to_ogs-1_graphic.png?w=640\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"Although optical communications systems reduce size, weight, and power requirements, the entire Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) payload is actually the size of a standard king-sized mattress!\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 66% 43%; object-position: 66% 43%; 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: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-carousel-nav display-flex\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-carousel-nav-arrow hds-carousel-arrow-prev\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\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\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-carousel-nav-arrow hds-carousel-arrow-next\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\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\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\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<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\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=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Orion orbiting the Moon with a laser linking back to Earth\" style=\"transform: scale(1.02); transform-origin: 50% 57%; object-position: 50% 57%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg 3840w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?resize=2048,1152 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?resize=1200,675 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?resize=2000,1125 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">NASA’s O2O terminal demonstrating the benefits of laser communications on Artemis II.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA \/ Dave Ryan<\/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=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/lcrd-virtual-background.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" 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: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/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>\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=\"959\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/lcrd_actual_photo.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"NASA's Laser Communications Relay Demonstration instrument.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 38% 60%; object-position: 38% 60%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/lcrd_actual_photo.jpg 4016w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/lcrd_actual_photo.jpg?resize=200,300 200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/lcrd_actual_photo.jpg?resize=768,1150 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/lcrd_actual_photo.jpg?resize=684,1024 684w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/lcrd_actual_photo.jpg?resize=1025,1536 1025w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/lcrd_actual_photo.jpg?resize=1367,2048 1367w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/lcrd_actual_photo.jpg?resize=267,400 267w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/lcrd_actual_photo.jpg?resize=401,600 401w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/lcrd_actual_photo.jpg?resize=601,900 601w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/lcrd_actual_photo.jpg?resize=801,1200 801w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/lcrd_actual_photo.jpg?resize=1335,2000 1335w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">NASA’s Laser Communications Relay Demonstration instrument.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA<\/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=\"401\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/STP-3-Liftoff.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket launches on the Department of Defense\u2019s Space Test Program 3 (STP-3) mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 48% 16%; object-position: 48% 16%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/STP-3-Liftoff.jpg 4104w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/STP-3-Liftoff.jpg?resize=300,188 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/STP-3-Liftoff.jpg?resize=768,481 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/STP-3-Liftoff.jpg?resize=1024,642 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/STP-3-Liftoff.jpg?resize=1536,963 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/STP-3-Liftoff.jpg?resize=2048,1284 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/STP-3-Liftoff.jpg?resize=400,251 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/STP-3-Liftoff.jpg?resize=600,376 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/STP-3-Liftoff.jpg?resize=900,564 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/STP-3-Liftoff.jpg?resize=1200,752 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/STP-3-Liftoff.jpg?resize=2000,1254 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket launches on the Department of Defense\u2019s Space Test Program 3 (STP-3) mission from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, from NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission\u2019s Space Test Program Satellite-6 (STPSat-6) spacecraft hosts NASA\u2019s Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) and the NASA-U.S. Naval Research Laboratory Ultraviolet Spectro-Coronagraph (UVSC) Pathfinder.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA\/Joel Kowsky<\/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=\"506\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/51731031588_c62a45b30c_o.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket launches on the Department of Defense\u2019s Space Test Program 3 (STP-3) mission from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, from NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.\" style=\"transform: scale(1.1); transform-origin: 52% 90%; object-position: 52% 90%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/51731031588_c62a45b30c_o.jpeg 3574w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/51731031588_c62a45b30c_o.jpeg?resize=300,237 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/51731031588_c62a45b30c_o.jpeg?resize=768,607 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/51731031588_c62a45b30c_o.jpeg?resize=1024,809 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/51731031588_c62a45b30c_o.jpeg?resize=1536,1214 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/51731031588_c62a45b30c_o.jpeg?resize=2048,1618 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/51731031588_c62a45b30c_o.jpeg?resize=400,316 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/51731031588_c62a45b30c_o.jpeg?resize=600,474 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/51731031588_c62a45b30c_o.jpeg?resize=900,711 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/51731031588_c62a45b30c_o.jpeg?resize=1200,948 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/51731031588_c62a45b30c_o.jpeg?resize=2000,1580 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket launches on the Department of Defense\u2019s Space Test Program 3 (STP-3) mission from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, from NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission\u2019s Space Test Program Satellite-6 (STPSat-6) spacecraft hosts NASA\u2019s Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) and the NASA-U.S. Naval Research Laboratory Ultraviolet Spectro-Coronagraph (UVSC) Pathfinder. <\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA\/Joel Kowsky<\/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=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/microsoftteams-image-77.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"ILLUMA-T and LCRD communicating over red 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: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/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>\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=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/compressedillumat.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"NASA's ILLUMA-T payload in final assembly and testing at the agency's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.\" 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\/07\/compressedillumat.jpg 5348w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/compressedillumat.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/compressedillumat.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/compressedillumat.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/compressedillumat.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/compressedillumat.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/compressedillumat.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/compressedillumat.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/compressedillumat.jpg?resize=900,600 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/compressedillumat.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/compressedillumat.jpg?resize=2000,1333 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">NASA’s ILLUMA-T payload in a Goddard Space Flight Center cleanroom undergoing integration and testing. <\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA<\/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=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/tbird_downlink_to_ogs-1_graphic.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" 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: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/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>\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=\"499\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/tbird-payload-ptd-3-0.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"The completed TeraByte InfraRed Delivery (TBIRD) payload at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory.\" 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\/2023\/03\/tbird-payload-ptd-3-0.png 1041w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/tbird-payload-ptd-3-0.png?resize=300,234 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/tbird-payload-ptd-3-0.png?resize=768,599 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/tbird-payload-ptd-3-0.png?resize=1024,799 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/tbird-payload-ptd-3-0.png?resize=400,312 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/tbird-payload-ptd-3-0.png?resize=600,468 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/tbird-payload-ptd-3-0.png?resize=900,702 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">The completed TeraByte InfraRed Delivery (TBIRD) payload at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory. <\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory<\/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<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-tabbed-section color-mode-light padding-y-6 padding-x-3 hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-tabbed-section\"> \n\t<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block\">\n\t\t<ul class=\"hds-tab-nav usa-list usa-list--unstyled grid-row\" role=\"tablist\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<li role=\"presentation\" class=\"hds-tab-nav-item usa-active\" data-tab-id=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t<button role=\"tab\" type=\"button\" id=\"tab0-why-lasers?\" aria-selected=\"true\" aria-controls=\"panel0-why-lasers?\">\n\t\t\t\t\tWhy Lasers?\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<li role=\"presentation\" class=\"hds-tab-nav-item \" data-tab-id=\"1\">\n\t\t\t\t<button role=\"tab\" type=\"button\" id=\"tab1-how-it-works\" aria-selected=\"false\" aria-controls=\"panel1-how-it-works\">\n\t\t\t\t\tHow it Works\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<li role=\"presentation\" class=\"hds-tab-nav-item \" data-tab-id=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t<button role=\"tab\" type=\"button\" id=\"tab2-benefits-&-challenges\" aria-selected=\"false\" aria-controls=\"panel2-benefits-&-challenges\">\n\t\t\t\t\tBenefits & Challenges\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-tabbed-section-tabs margin-top-6\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-tabbed-section-tab desktop:display-flex usa-active\" data-tab-id=\"0\" role=\"tabpanel\" id=\"panel0-why-lasers?\" aria-labelledby=\"tab0-why-lasers?\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col desktop:padding-right-5 padding-bottom-4 desktop:padding-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-29\">Why Optical?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"heading-16\">With optical communications, NASA can significantly accelerate the data transfer process and empower more discoveries.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p-md\">Since the beginning of spaceflight in the 1950s, NASA missions have leveraged radio frequency\u00a0communications\u00a0to send data to and from space.\u00a0Optical communications, also known as laser communications, will further empower missions with unprecedented data capabilities.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/technology\/space-comms\/optical-communications-overview\/#section-3\" target=\"_self\" class=\"button-primary button-primary-sm link-external-true\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"line-height-alt-1 \" >\n\t\t\t\tRead More                \t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\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\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col desktop:padding-left-5\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-block\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-tabbed-section-image margin-bottom-2 minh-mobile\">\n\t\t\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=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/laser_comm3_0.gif?w=640\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"Graphic representation of the difference in data rates between radio and laser communications.\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Graphic representation of the difference in data rates between radio and optical communications.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\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\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-tabbed-section-tab desktop:display-flex \" data-tab-id=\"1\" role=\"tabpanel\" id=\"panel1-how-it-works\" aria-labelledby=\"tab1-how-it-works\" hidden>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col desktop:padding-right-5 padding-bottom-4 desktop:padding-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-29\">How it Works<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"heading-16\">Both radio waves and infrared light are electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths at different points on the electromagnetic spectrum.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p-md\">The infrared light used for laser communications differs from radio waves because the infrared light packs the data into significantly tighter waves, meaning ground stations can receive more data at once. While laser communications aren\u2019t necessarily faster, more data can be transmitted in one downlink.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/technology\/space-comms\/optical-communications-overview\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"button-primary button-primary-sm link-external-true\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"line-height-alt-1 \" >\n\t\t\t\tRead More                \t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\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\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col desktop:padding-left-5\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-block\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-tabbed-section-image margin-bottom-2 minh-mobile\">\n\t\t\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=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/lcrd-down.png?w=640\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"LCRD communicating down to Earth\" 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\/2020\/08\/lcrd-down.png 1280w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/lcrd-down.png?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/lcrd-down.png?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/lcrd-down.png?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/lcrd-down.png?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/lcrd-down.png?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/lcrd-down.png?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/lcrd-down.png?resize=1200,675 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">LCRD communicating down to Earth over laser links. <\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\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\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-tabbed-section-tab desktop:display-flex \" data-tab-id=\"2\" role=\"tabpanel\" id=\"panel2-benefits-&-challenges\" aria-labelledby=\"tab2-benefits-&-challenges\" hidden>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col desktop:padding-right-5 padding-bottom-4 desktop:padding-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-29\">Benefits & Challenges<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"heading-16\">Optical communications will provide significant benefits for missions, including bandwidth increases of 10 to 100 times more than radio frequency systems.\u00a0<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p-md\">The\u00a0critical move to\u00a0optical communications will provide numerous benefits to NASA’s user missions. For all its benefits, optical communications still faces several challenges.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/technology\/space-comms\/optical-communications-overview\/#section-4\" target=\"_self\" class=\"button-primary button-primary-sm link-external-true\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"line-height-alt-1 \" >\n\t\t\t\tRead More                \t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\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\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col desktop:padding-left-5\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-block\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-tabbed-section-image margin-bottom-2 minh-mobile\">\n\t\t\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=\"413\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/lcrd_conceptual_image_2.png?w=640\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"Illustration of the LCRD communicating data from the space station 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\/2021\/11\/lcrd_conceptual_image_2.png 2977w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/lcrd_conceptual_image_2.png?resize=300,193 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/lcrd_conceptual_image_2.png?resize=768,495 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/lcrd_conceptual_image_2.png?resize=1024,660 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/lcrd_conceptual_image_2.png?resize=1536,991 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/lcrd_conceptual_image_2.png?resize=2048,1321 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/lcrd_conceptual_image_2.png?resize=400,258 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/lcrd_conceptual_image_2.png?resize=600,387 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/lcrd_conceptual_image_2.png?resize=900,580 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/lcrd_conceptual_image_2.png?resize=1200,774 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/lcrd_conceptual_image_2.png?resize=2000,1290 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Illustration of the LCRD communicating data from the space station to Earth.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA \/ Dave Ryan<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\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\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full maxw-full width-full padding-y-6 padding-x-3 bg-spacesuit-white color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-news-manual\">\t<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block\">\n\t\t<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-center margin-bottom-3\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"desktop:grid-col margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"section-heading-md\">Featured News<\/h2>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"desktop:grid-col display-flex flex-align-center desktop:flex-justify-end\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/press-release\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"button-primary button-primary link-external-false\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"line-height-alt-1 \" >\n\t\t\t\tMore Optical News                \t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\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\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"grid-col\"><div class=\"grid-row latest-news-items\"><div class=\"grid-col mobile:grid-col tablet:grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col latest-news-item latest-news-item-0 margin-bottom-2 -tablet:margin-bottom-0 desktop:margin-bottom-0 padding-right-0 tablet:padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-2\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/somd\/space-communications-navigation-program\/whats-next-the-future-of-nasas-laser-communications\/\" class=\"tablet:grid-col latest-news-item news-item tablet:padding-right-0\"><div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\"><div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-column flex-align-start flex-justify-start z-200\"><div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label color-spacesuit-white margin-bottom-auto\"><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><span>Article<\/span><\/div><div class=\"display-block\"><div class=\"label margin-bottom-1\">5 Min Read<\/div><p class=\"heading-22 color-spacesuit-white margin-0\"><span>What\u2019s Next: The Future of NASA\u2019s Laser Communications<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/microsoftteams-image-77.jpg?w=640\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" 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: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><\/a><\/div><div class=\"tablet:grid-col grid-row latest-news-items\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/somd\/cubesat-set-to-demonstrate-nasas-fastest-laser-link-from-space\/\" class=\"tablet:grid-col latest-news-item news-item margin-bottom-2 tablet:margin-bottom-0 desktop:margin-bottom-0 tablet:padding-right-2 desktop:padding-right-2\"><div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\"><div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-column flex-align-start flex-justify-start z-200\"><div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label color-spacesuit-white margin-bottom-auto\"><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><span>Article<\/span><\/div><div class=\"display-block\"><div class=\"label margin-bottom-1\">5 Min Read<\/div><p class=\"heading-22 color-spacesuit-white margin-0\"><span>CubeSat Set to Demonstrate NASA\u2019s Fastest Laser Link from Space<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/tbird_downlink_to_ogs-1_graphic.png?w=640\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" 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\/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: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><\/a><div class=\"grid-col news-item-stack\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/technology\/exploring-together-nasa-and-industry-embrace-laser-communications\/\" class=\"tablet:grid-col latest-news-item news-item tablet:margin-right-0 desktop:margin-right-0 margin-bottom-2 mobile:margin-bottom-2 tablet:margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-2\"><div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\"><div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-column flex-align-start flex-justify-start z-200\"><div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label color-spacesuit-white margin-bottom-auto\"><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><span>Article<\/span><\/div><div class=\"display-block\"><div class=\"label margin-bottom-1\">4 Min Read<\/div><p class=\"heading-22 color-spacesuit-white margin-0\"><span>Exploring Together, NASA and Industry Embrace Laser Communications<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"482\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/lcot_telescope.png?w=640\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" 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\/lcot_telescope.png 2356w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/lcot_telescope.png?resize=300,226 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/lcot_telescope.png?resize=768,578 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/lcot_telescope.png?resize=1024,771 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/lcot_telescope.png?resize=1536,1157 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/lcot_telescope.png?resize=2048,1542 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/lcot_telescope.png?resize=400,301 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/lcot_telescope.png?resize=600,452 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/lcot_telescope.png?resize=900,678 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/lcot_telescope.png?resize=1200,904 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/lcot_telescope.png?resize=2000,1506 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/technology\/6-things-you-need-to-know-about-nasas-laser-communications-relay-demonstration\/\" class=\"tablet:grid-col latest-news-item news-item tablet:margin-right-0 desktop:margin-right-0 margin-bottom-2 mobile:margin-bottom-0 tablet:margin-bottom-0 desktop:margin-bottom-0\"><div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\"><div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-column flex-align-start flex-justify-start z-200\"><div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label color-spacesuit-white margin-bottom-auto\"><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><span>Article<\/span><\/div><div class=\"display-block\"><div class=\"label margin-bottom-1\">7 Min Read<\/div><p class=\"heading-22 color-spacesuit-white margin-0\"><span>6 Things You Need to Know about NASA’s Laser Communications Relay Demonstration<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/image_07_0.png?w=640\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" 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\/11\/image_07_0.png 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/image_07_0.png?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/image_07_0.png?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/image_07_0.png?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/image_07_0.png?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/image_07_0.png?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/image_07_0.png?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/image_07_0.png?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/image_07_0.png?resize=1200,675 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"grid-row padding-top-2 desktop:padding-top-3\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/technology\/getting-nasa-data-to-the-ground-with-lasers\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-6 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col padding-left-0 padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-2 padding-bottom-4 desktop:padding-bottom-0\">\n\t<div class=\"display-flex hds-news-item-bubble\"><div class=\"padding-right-3\"><div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black circle-10 minw-10 maxh-10 minh-10\"><figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/ogs-2_hawaii.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" 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\/ogs-2_hawaii.jpg?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/ogs-2_hawaii.jpg?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/ogs-2_hawaii.jpg?resize=100,100 100w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/ogs-2_hawaii.jpg?resize=200,200 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div><div class=\"label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-black\">6 Min Read<\/div><p class=\"heading-14 color-carbon-black line-height-md margin-top-1 margin-bottom-1\">Getting NASA Data to the Ground with Lasers<\/p><div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-auto\"><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><span>Article<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/centers-and-facilities\/goddard\/nasa-laser-communications-innovations-a-timeline\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-6 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col padding-left-0 padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-2 padding-bottom-4 desktop:padding-bottom-0\">\n\t<div class=\"display-flex hds-news-item-bubble\"><div class=\"padding-right-3\"><div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black circle-10 minw-10 maxh-10 minh-10\"><figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/optical_comm_roadmap_1.0.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" 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\/05\/optical_comm_roadmap_1.0.jpg?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/optical_comm_roadmap_1.0.jpg?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/optical_comm_roadmap_1.0.jpg?resize=100,100 100w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/optical_comm_roadmap_1.0.jpg?resize=200,200 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div><div class=\"label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-black\">5 Min Read<\/div><p class=\"heading-14 color-carbon-black line-height-md margin-top-1 margin-bottom-1\">NASA Laser Communications Innovations: A Timeline<\/p><div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-auto\"><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><span>Article<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/technology\/laser-communications-empowering-more-data-than-ever-before\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-6 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col padding-left-0 padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-2 padding-bottom-4 desktop:padding-bottom-0\">\n\t<div class=\"display-flex hds-news-item-bubble\"><div class=\"padding-right-3\"><div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black circle-10 minw-10 maxh-10 minh-10\"><figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/lcrd_beautyshots_sh4_final_v01.01044_print.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" 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\/05\/lcrd_beautyshots_sh4_final_v01.01044_print.jpg?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/lcrd_beautyshots_sh4_final_v01.01044_print.jpg?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/lcrd_beautyshots_sh4_final_v01.01044_print.jpg?resize=100,100 100w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/lcrd_beautyshots_sh4_final_v01.01044_print.jpg?resize=200,200 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div><div class=\"label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-black\">5 Min Read<\/div><p class=\"heading-14 color-carbon-black line-height-md margin-top-1 margin-bottom-1\">Laser Communications: Empowering More Data Than Ever Before<\/p><div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-auto\"><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><span>Article<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/tech-demonstration\/new-ground-station-brings-laser-communications-closer-to-reality\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-6 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col padding-left-0 padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-2 padding-bottom-4 desktop:padding-bottom-0\">\n\t<div class=\"display-flex hds-news-item-bubble\"><div class=\"padding-right-3\"><div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black circle-10 minw-10 maxh-10 minh-10\"><figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/ogs2-telescope.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" 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\/2020\/08\/ogs2-telescope.jpg?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/ogs2-telescope.jpg?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/ogs2-telescope.jpg?resize=100,100 100w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/ogs2-telescope.jpg?resize=200,200 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div><div class=\"label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-black\">4 Min Read<\/div><p class=\"heading-14 color-carbon-black line-height-md margin-top-1 margin-bottom-1\">New Ground Station Brings Laser Communications Closer To Reality<\/p><div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-auto\"><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><span>Article<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"width-full maxw-full bg-carbon-05 hds-cover-wrapper minh-tablet-lg hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-callout\">\n\t<div class=\"hds-foreground-wrapper padding-bottom-9 padding-top-9 display-flex\">\n\t\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-container grid-container-block margin-top-auto width-full maxw-desktop-lg padding-top-9 padding-x-3 z-400\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-container grid-container-block margin-top-auto width-full maxw-desktop-lg padding-y-9 padding-x-3 z-400\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6 z-400\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"page-heading-md font-weight-extrabold line-height-heading-1 color-spacesuit-white-important\">Laser Communications Relay Demonstration<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p-lg margin-top-2 padding-0 margin-bottom-4 color-spacesuit-white-important\">NASA\u2019s\u00a0Laser Communications Relay Demonstration\u00a0(LCRD) is demonstrating NASA's first two-way laser relay communications system, sending and receiving\u00a0data over invisible infrared lasers from its location in geosynchronous orbit with ground stations\u00a0in California and Hawaii.\u00a0<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission\/laser-communications-relay\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"button-primary  link-external-true\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"line-height-alt-1 color-spacesuit-white-important\" >\n\t\t\t\tLearn More                                    <span class=\"usa-sr-only\"> about Laser Communications Relay Demonstration<\/span>\n                \t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\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\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6 z-400\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-left mobile-skrim-top z-200\"><\/div>\n\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-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" 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>\n\t<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-card-grid padding-top-7 padding-bottom-3 padding-x-0 hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-card-grid\">\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-card-grid-header grid-container grid-container-block\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-start margin-bottom-5\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"desktop:grid-col-8 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"section-heading-sm line-height-sm\">Related Missions<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"margin-0 padding-0\">Explore missions related to laser communications.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"desktop:grid-col display-flex flex-align-center desktop:flex-justify-end\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"button-primary button-primary link-external-false\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"line-height-alt-1 \" >\n\t\t\t\tAll NASA Galleries                \t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\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\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-gap-2\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-card-grid-cards grid-container grid-container-block\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cards-included grid-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-card-custom hds-card color-carbon-black display-flex flex-column margin-bottom-5 mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 margin-bottom-6\"><div class=\"hds-card-inner\"><div class=\"hds-card-thumbnail hds-card-hover-zoom-image margin-bottom-2 bg-carbon-black\"><figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?w=640\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"Orion orbiting the Moon with a laser linking back to Earth\" 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\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg 3840w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?resize=2048,1152 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?resize=1200,675 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?resize=2000,1125 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"padding-right-0\"><div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"heading-18\">Orion Artemis II Optical Communications System (O2O)<\/h3><\/div><p class=\"margin-top-0 line-height-lg\">O2O will leverage laser communications on the Orion spacecraft, enabling live, ultra-high-definition video feeds between astronauts and Earth.<\/p><div class=\"margin-top-2\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission\/o2o\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"button-primary button-primary-md link-external-0\"><span role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Write button text here\" class=\"line-height-alt-1\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap; min-width: 1px;\">Read More<\/span><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><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"hds-card-custom hds-card color-carbon-black display-flex flex-column margin-bottom-5 mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 margin-bottom-6\"><div class=\"hds-card-inner\"><div class=\"hds-card-thumbnail hds-card-hover-zoom-image margin-bottom-2 bg-carbon-black\"><figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/microsoftteams-image-77.jpg?w=640\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"ILLUMA-T and LCRD communicating over red 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\/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: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"padding-right-0\"><div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"heading-18\">Integrated LCRD Low-Earth Orbit User Modem and Amplifier Terminal (ILLUMA-T)<\/h3><\/div><p class=\"margin-top-0 line-height-lg\">ILLUMA-T will be LCRD's first user and bring laser capabilities to the International Space Station.<\/p><div class=\"margin-top-2\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission\/illumat\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"button-primary button-primary-md link-external-0\"><span role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Write button text here\" class=\"line-height-alt-1\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap; min-width: 1px;\">Read More<\/span><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><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"hds-card-custom hds-card color-carbon-black display-flex flex-column margin-bottom-5 mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 margin-bottom-6\"><div class=\"hds-card-inner\"><div class=\"hds-card-thumbnail hds-card-hover-zoom-image margin-bottom-2 bg-carbon-black\"><figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"499\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/tbird-payload-ptd-3-0.png?w=640\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"The completed TeraByte InfraRed Delivery (TBIRD) payload at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory.\" style=\"transform: scale(1.1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/tbird-payload-ptd-3-0.png 1041w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/tbird-payload-ptd-3-0.png?resize=300,234 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/tbird-payload-ptd-3-0.png?resize=768,599 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/tbird-payload-ptd-3-0.png?resize=1024,799 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/tbird-payload-ptd-3-0.png?resize=400,312 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/tbird-payload-ptd-3-0.png?resize=600,468 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/tbird-payload-ptd-3-0.png?resize=900,702 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"padding-right-0\"><div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"heading-18\">TeraByte InfraRed Delivery (TBIRD)<\/h3><\/div><p class=\"margin-top-0 line-height-lg\">TBIRD is demonstrating a direct-to-Earth laser communications link from a CubeSat in low-Earth orbit.<\/p><div class=\"margin-top-2\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/somd\/cubesat-set-to-demonstrate-nasas-fastest-laser-link-from-space\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"button-primary button-primary-md link-external-0\"><span role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Write button text here\" class=\"line-height-alt-1\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap; min-width: 1px;\">Read More<\/span><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><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"hds-card-custom hds-card color-carbon-black display-flex flex-column margin-bottom-5 mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 margin-bottom-6\"><div class=\"hds-card-inner\"><div class=\"hds-card-thumbnail hds-card-hover-zoom-image margin-bottom-2 bg-carbon-black\"><figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/lcrd-virtual-background.jpg?w=640\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"LCRD communicating to ISS over laser links\" style=\"transform: scale(1.1); 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: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"padding-right-0\"><div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"heading-18\">Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD)<\/h3><\/div><p class=\"margin-top-0 line-height-lg\">Launched on December 7, 2021, the Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) aims to showcase\u00a0the unique capabilities of optical communications.<\/p><div class=\"margin-top-2\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission\/laser-communications-relay\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"button-primary button-primary-md link-external-0\"><span role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Write button text here\" class=\"line-height-alt-1\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap; min-width: 1px;\">Read More<\/span><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><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"hds-card-custom hds-card color-carbon-black display-flex flex-column margin-bottom-5 mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 margin-bottom-6\"><div class=\"hds-card-inner\"><div class=\"hds-card-thumbnail hds-card-hover-zoom-image margin-bottom-2 bg-carbon-black\"><figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"475\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/tdm_psyche.jpg?w=640\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"DSOC Package on Psyche spacecraft.\" 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\/2023\/03\/tdm_psyche.jpg 1041w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/tdm_psyche.jpg?resize=300,223 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/tdm_psyche.jpg?resize=768,570 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/tdm_psyche.jpg?resize=1024,760 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/tdm_psyche.jpg?resize=400,297 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/tdm_psyche.jpg?resize=600,446 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/tdm_psyche.jpg?resize=900,668 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"padding-right-0\"><div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"heading-18\">Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC)<\/h3><\/div><p class=\"margin-top-0 line-height-lg\">The DSOC package will be aboard NASA's Psyche mission and utilizes photons to transmit more data in a given amount of time.<\/p><div class=\"margin-top-2\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission\/deep-space-optical-communications-dsoc\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"button-primary button-primary-md link-external-0\"><span role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Write button text here\" class=\"line-height-alt-1\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap; min-width: 1px;\">Read More<\/span><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><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"hds-card-custom hds-card color-carbon-black display-flex flex-column margin-bottom-5 mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 margin-bottom-6\"><div class=\"hds-card-inner\"><div class=\"hds-card-thumbnail hds-card-hover-zoom-image margin-bottom-2 bg-carbon-black\"><figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/iss056e201248-1.jpg?w=640\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"The International Space Station\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 52% 60%; object-position: 52% 60%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/iss056e201248-1.jpg 985w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/iss056e201248-1.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/iss056e201248-1.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/iss056e201248-1.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/iss056e201248-1.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/iss056e201248-1.jpg?resize=900,600 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"padding-right-0\"><div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"heading-18\">Optical Payload for Lasercomm Science (OPALS)<\/h3><\/div><p class=\"margin-top-0 line-height-lg\">OPALS is a technology demonstration aboard the International Space Station designed to test the use of focused laser energy for space communications.<\/p><div class=\"margin-top-2\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?migration=converted-node-358259\" target=\"_self\" class=\"button-primary button-primary-md link-external-0\"><span role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Write button text here\" class=\"line-height-alt-1\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap; min-width: 1px;\">Read More<\/span><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><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"hds-card-custom hds-card color-carbon-black display-flex flex-column margin-bottom-5 mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 margin-bottom-6\"><div class=\"hds-card-inner\"><div class=\"hds-card-thumbnail hds-card-hover-zoom-image margin-bottom-2 bg-carbon-black\"><figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"366\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/light_article_imagery_2.jpg?w=640\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"Laser information transmission between Earth and space vehicle.\" 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\/2015\/03\/light_article_imagery_2.jpg 1050w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/light_article_imagery_2.jpg?resize=300,171 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/light_article_imagery_2.jpg?resize=768,439 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/light_article_imagery_2.jpg?resize=1024,585 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/light_article_imagery_2.jpg?resize=400,229 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/light_article_imagery_2.jpg?resize=600,343 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/light_article_imagery_2.jpg?resize=900,514 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"padding-right-0\"><div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"heading-18\">Lunar Laser Communications Demonstration (LLCD)<\/h3><\/div><p class=\"margin-top-0 line-height-lg\">From October 2013 through April 2014, LLCD demonstration laser communications during the Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) mission.<\/p><div class=\"margin-top-2\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission\/lunar-laser-communications-demonstration-llcd\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"button-primary button-primary-md link-external-0\"><span role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Write button text here\" class=\"line-height-alt-1\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap; min-width: 1px;\">Read More<\/span><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><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"hds-card-custom hds-card color-carbon-black display-flex flex-column margin-bottom-5 mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 margin-bottom-6\"><div class=\"hds-card-inner\"><div class=\"hds-card-thumbnail hds-card-hover-zoom-image margin-bottom-2 bg-carbon-black\"><figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/sstp_ocsd_integration.jpg?w=640\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"OCSD Integration\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 75% 1%; object-position: 75% 1%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/sstp_ocsd_integration.jpg 5184w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/sstp_ocsd_integration.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/sstp_ocsd_integration.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/sstp_ocsd_integration.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/sstp_ocsd_integration.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/sstp_ocsd_integration.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/sstp_ocsd_integration.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/sstp_ocsd_integration.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/sstp_ocsd_integration.jpg?resize=900,600 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/sstp_ocsd_integration.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/sstp_ocsd_integration.jpg?resize=2000,1333 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"padding-right-0\"><div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"heading-18\">Optical Communications and Sensor Demonstration (OCSD)<\/h3><\/div><p class=\"margin-top-0 line-height-lg\">OCSD, consisting of three CubeSats launched in 2017, conducted the first-ever high-speed laser communications downlink from a CubeSat to a ground station.<\/p><div class=\"margin-top-2\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/press-release\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"button-primary button-primary-md link-external-0\"><span role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Write button text here\" class=\"line-height-alt-1\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap; min-width: 1px;\">Read More<\/span><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><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How Do We Communicate With Spacecraft? We Asked a NASA Expert\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/MDMM9MZNcco?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-featured-story minh-tablet bg-carbon-black flex-column position-relative hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-featured-story\">\t<div class=\"hds-foreground-wrapper display-flex flex-column padding-y-9 padding-x-3\">\n\t\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-container grid-container-widescreen margin-bottom-auto width-full maxw-desktop-lg padding-0 z-400\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center heading-12 text-uppercase z-400 color-spacesuit-white\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"margin-right-1\" version=\"1.1\" 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 0 500 500\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 500 500;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"> <g> <path d=\"M490.4,19.2c-27.5,0-55,0-82.5,0c-43.4,0-86.7,0-130.1,0c-36.7,0-73.3,0-110,0c-43.4,0-86.7,0-130.1,0 c-8.6,0-17.1,0-25.7,0c-0.5,0-1.1,0-1.7,0c0,0.6-0.1,1-0.1,1.5c0,74.2,0,148.4,0,222.6c0,79,0,158,0,237c0,0.2,0,0.4,0,0.6 c-0.1,0-0.3-0.1-0.3-0.1c0-0.4,0-0.8,0-1.2c0-153.6,0-307.1,0-460.7c159.7,0,319.3,0,479,0C489.5,18.9,489.9,19.1,490.4,19.2z\"><\/path> <g> <path d=\"M243.5,1.4C108,4.8-2.5,117.7,1.4,257.4C5.2,391.1,115.8,501,254.5,498.6c135.9-2.4,245.1-113.6,244.1-250.8 C497.2,108.9,382.9-2,243.5,1.4z M249.9,473.7c-122.8,0-222.5-99.1-223.6-221.6c-1.1-124.5,99-224.7,221.4-225.9 c124.3-1.2,224.9,98.6,226.1,221.5C474.9,373.1,373.5,473.9,249.9,473.7z\"><\/path> <path d=\"M384.2,205.3c-32.8,0.1-65.5,0.1-98.3,0.2c-3.1,0-3.9-0.6-4.8-3.6c-2.1-6.9-4.2-13.7-6.3-20.6 c-7.7-24.9-15.3-49.9-23-74.8c-0.5-1.8-1.1-3.5-1.8-5.5c-0.2,0.6-0.4,0.9-0.4,1.1c-10.2,33.1-20.3,66.3-30.5,99.4 c-1,3.3-1.7,3.9-5.3,3.9c-10.8,0-21.5,0-32.3-0.1c-14.2,0-28.4-0.1-42.6-0.1c-8.4,0-16.7,0-25.6,0c0.9,0.7,1.4,1.1,1.9,1.5 c26.6,20.3,53.3,40.5,79.9,60.8c2.2,1.7,2.6,2.9,1.8,5.5c-9.1,29.1-18.1,58.2-27.2,87.3c-1.4,4.5-2.8,9-4.2,13.7 c0.6-0.4,1-0.6,1.3-0.9c26.6-20.4,53.1-40.8,79.7-61.1c3.1-2.4,3.8-2.4,6.9,0c26.5,20.3,53,40.7,79.5,61c0.4,0.3,0.8,0.5,1.5,1 c-0.3-1-0.4-1.6-0.6-2.2c-10.2-32.7-20.4-65.5-30.5-98.2c-1.1-3.5-0.8-4.3,2.1-6.6c26.1-19.8,52.1-39.6,78.2-59.5 c0.9-0.7,1.8-1.4,3.1-2.4C385.5,205.3,384.8,205.3,384.2,205.3z\"><\/path> <\/g> <\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"label\">Featured Story<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-container grid-container-widescreen width-full maxw-desktop-lg padding-0 z-400\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6 z-400\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"display-60 color-spacesuit-white-important\">What\u2019s Next: The Future of NASA\u2019s Laser Communications<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p-lg color-spacesuit-white-important\">NASA uses lasers to send information to and from Earth, employing invisible beams to traverse the skies, sending terabytes of…<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/somd\/space-communications-navigation-program\/whats-next-the-future-of-nasas-laser-communications\/\" class=\"button-primary button-primary-md\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"section-heading-md color-spacesuit-white-important\">Read the Story<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\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\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6 z-400\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-left mobile-skrim-top z-200\"><\/div>\n\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\/uploads\/2021\/10\/microsoftteams-image-77.jpg?w=640\" ><\/figure>\t<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-social-media grid-container grid-container-block nasa-gb-align- width-full maxw-full margin-y-0 padding-y-5 padding-x-3 desktop:padding-x-0 font-weight-bold hds-module wp-block-nasa-blocks-social-media-links\">\t\t<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center padding-y-1\" id=\"social-facebook\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"circle-4 minw-4 display-flex flex-align-center flex-justify-center\" style=\"background-color: #4267B2;\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 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c25.727,0,46.656-20.93,46.656-46.655V46.655C169.063,20.93,148.133,0,122.406,0z M154.063,122.407 c0,17.455-14.201,31.655-31.656,31.655H46.654C29.2,154.063,15,139.862,15,122.407V46.655C15,29.201,29.2,15,46.654,15h75.752 c17.455,0,31.656,14.201,31.656,31.655V122.407z\"\/> <path d=\"M84.531,40.97c-24.021,0-43.563,19.542-43.563,43.563c0,24.02,19.542,43.561,43.563,43.561s43.563-19.541,43.563-43.561 C128.094,60.512,108.552,40.97,84.531,40.97z M84.531,113.093c-15.749,0-28.563-12.812-28.563-28.561 c0-15.75,12.813-28.563,28.563-28.563s28.563,12.813,28.563,28.563C113.094,100.281,100.28,113.093,84.531,113.093z\"\/> <path d=\"M129.921,28.251c-2.89,0-5.729,1.17-7.77,3.22c-2.051,2.04-3.23,4.88-3.23,7.78c0,2.891,1.18,5.73,3.23,7.78 c2.04,2.04,4.88,3.22,7.77,3.22c2.9,0,5.73-1.18,7.78-3.22c2.05-2.05,3.22-4.89,3.22-7.78c0-2.9-1.17-5.74-3.22-7.78 C135.661,29.421,132.821,28.251,129.921,28.251z\"\/><\/g><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-social-media-items padding-left-2\">\n\t\t\t\t<a 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href=\"https:\/\/linkedin.com\/company\/NASA\" aria-label=\"Go to @NASA on linkedin\" rel=\"noopener\">@NASA<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\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 More Topics From NASA<\/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=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/technology\/\" 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>Technology<\/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 loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1017\" height=\"671\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/nasa_technology1.png?w=1017\" 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\/2022\/12\/nasa_technology1.png 1017w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/nasa_technology1.png?resize=300,198 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/nasa_technology1.png?resize=768,507 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/nasa_technology1.png?resize=400,264 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/nasa_technology1.png?resize=600,396 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/nasa_technology1.png?resize=900,594 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1017px) 100vw, 1017px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/communicating-with-missions\/\" 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>Communicating with 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 loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PIA17790_orig.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\/2023\/02\/PIA17790_orig.jpg 5184w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PIA17790_orig.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PIA17790_orig.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PIA17790_orig.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PIA17790_orig.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PIA17790_orig.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PIA17790_orig.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PIA17790_orig.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PIA17790_orig.jpg?resize=900,600 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PIA17790_orig.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PIA17790_orig.jpg?resize=2000,1333 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/space-operations\/space-communications-and-navigation-scan-program\/\" 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>Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) Program<\/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 loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1296\" height=\"864\" 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