{"id":61529,"date":"2021-11-15T20:50:00","date_gmt":"2021-11-16T00:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?migration=converted-node-475377"},"modified":"2023-07-26T16:32:37","modified_gmt":"2023-07-26T20:32:37","slug":"6-things-you-need-to-know-about-nasas-laser-communications-relay-demonstration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/technology\/6-things-you-need-to-know-about-nasas-laser-communications-relay-demonstration\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Things You Need to Know about NASA’s Laser Communications Relay Demonstration"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-article-hero-header nasa-gb-align-full bg-carbon-90 width-full maxw-full color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-article-hero-header\">\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper width-full maxw-full minh-tablet grid-container minh-tablet flex-column padding-0\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-foreground-wrapper display-flex flex-direction-column\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block margin-top-auto width-full maxw-desktop-lg padding-y-9 padding-x-3 desktop:padding-x-3 z-400\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"z-400 grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-7 z-400\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"label color-spacesuit-white margin-bottom-2\">7 Min Read<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"heading-41 line-height-md color-spacesuit-white-important\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t6 Things You Need to Know about NASA’s Laser Communications Relay Demonstration\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-5\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-left mobile-skrim-top z-200\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"985\" height=\"554\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/lcrd-virtual-background.jpg?w=985\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"LCRD communicating to ISS over laser links\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/lcrd-virtual-background.jpg 985w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/lcrd-virtual-background.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/lcrd-virtual-background.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/lcrd-virtual-background.jpg?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/lcrd-virtual-background.jpg?resize=600,337 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/lcrd-virtual-background.jpg?resize=900,506 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 985px) 100vw, 985px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"padding-y-3 padding-x-3\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block padding-x-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"hds-caption maxw-mobile desktop:padding-x-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0 color-carbon-30\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div><figcaption>LCRD communicating over laser links to ILLUMA-T on the International Space Station. <\/figcaption><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-credits color-spacesuit-white-important\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Credits: <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>NASA \/ Dave Ryan<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6 Things You need to Know about LCRD<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Lee esta historia en espa\u00f1ol <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/goddard\/2021\/demostraci-n-del-retransmisor-de-comunicaciones-l-ser-de-la-nasa-seis-cosas-que-necesitas\/\">aqu\u00ed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>NASA\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/goddard\/2021\/laser-communications-empowering-more-data-than-ever-before\">Laser Communications Relay Demonstration<\/a> (LCRD) will use laser communications systems to transmit data from space to Earth. Below are six things you need to know about NASA\u2019s revolutionary LCRD mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1.  Laser communications will transform how NASA gets info to and from space.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Since the dawn of space exploration, NASA has used radio frequency systems to communicate with astronauts and spacecraft. However, as space missions generate and collect more data, the need for enhanced communications capabilities increases. LCRD leverages the power of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/lasercomms\">laser communications<\/a>, which uses infrared light rather than radio waves, to encode and transmit information to and from Earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both radio waves and laser infrared light waves are forms of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths at different points on the spectrum. Missions encode their scientific data onto the electromagnetic signals to send back to Earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The infrared light used for laser communications differs from radio waves because it occurs at a much higher frequency, allowing engineers to pack more data into each transmission. More data yields more information and discoveries about space at once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Using infrared lasers, LCRD will send data to Earth from geosynchronous orbit at 1.2 gigabits-per-second (Gbps). At this speed and distance, you could download a movie in under a minute.<\/p>\n\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=\"LCRD Ready for Launch\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Es5qqfMTwT8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">LCRD: NASA’s First Laser Relay. <em>Credit: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Laser communications will let spacecraft send home more data in a single downlink.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you were alive in the late \u201980s and early \u201990s, you\u2019ll remember the dial-up speeds of the terrestrial internet \u2013 slow and painful. The addition of laser communications to spacecraft is similar to humanity\u2019s use of high-speed internet with technologies like fiber optic networking: revolutionary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our home internet connections these days allow high-definition videos, shows, and content to reach our screens almost instantaneously. This is, in part, due to the fiber optic connections sending laser light densely packed with data through plastic or glass cables, creating a faster user experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This same concept \u2013 minus the fiber cables \u2013 is applied to space-based laser communications, which allows spacecraft to send high-resolution images and videos over laser links.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With laser communications in place, spacecraft can send back more data at once in a single download. NASA and the aerospace industry are taking advantage of these new developments and creating more missions that use lasers to complement radio frequency satellites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/microsoftteams-image-77.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"609\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/microsoftteams-image-77.png?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Radio waves versus 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\/11\/microsoftteams-image-77.png 3062w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/microsoftteams-image-77.png?resize=300,89 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/microsoftteams-image-77.png?resize=768,228 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/microsoftteams-image-77.png?resize=1024,305 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/microsoftteams-image-77.png?resize=1536,457 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/microsoftteams-image-77.png?resize=2048,609 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/microsoftteams-image-77.png?resize=400,119 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/microsoftteams-image-77.png?resize=600,179 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/microsoftteams-image-77.png?resize=900,268 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/microsoftteams-image-77.png?resize=1200,357 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/microsoftteams-image-77.png?resize=2000,595 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Laser links can send back more information in a single link. <\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA\/ Dave Ryan<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. LCRD has two optical modules for sending and receiving laser signals. <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>LCRD is a relay satellite with many highly sensitive components that provide increased communications. As a relay, LCRD removes the need for user missions to have direct line-of-sight to antennas on Earth. LCRD has two optical terminals \u2013 one terminal receives data from a user spacecraft, while the other transmits data to ground stations on Earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>LCRD\u2019s modems translate digital data into laser signals, which are then transmitted via encoded beams of light, invisible to the human eye, by the relay\u2019s optical modules. LCRD can both send and receive data, creating a continuous path for flowing mission data to-and-from space. Together, these capabilities make LCRD NASA\u2019s first two-way, end-to-end optical relay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These are just some of the components that make up the LCRD payload, which all together is the size of a king mattress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/lcrd-etched.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"944\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/lcrd-etched.jpg?w=944\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"LCRD payload in Goddard cleanroom as a sketch with the optical modules highlighted in white.\" 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-etched.jpg 944w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/lcrd-etched.jpg?resize=262,300 262w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/lcrd-etched.jpg?resize=768,879 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/lcrd-etched.jpg?resize=895,1024 895w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/lcrd-etched.jpg?resize=350,400 350w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/lcrd-etched.jpg?resize=524,600 524w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/lcrd-etched.jpg?resize=787,900 787w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 944px) 100vw, 944px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">NASA’s LCRD payload in the Goddard cleanroom.<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. LCRD uses two ground stations in California and Hawaii<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Once LCRD receives information and encodes it, the payload sends the data to ground stations on Earth that are each equipped with telescopes to receive the light and modems to translate the encoded light back into digital data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>LCRD\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/goddard\/2021\/getting-nasa-data-to-the-ground-with-lasers\">ground stations<\/a> are known as Optical Ground Stations (OGS) -1 and -2, and are located on <a href=\"https:\/\/tmf.jpl.nasa.gov\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Table Mountain in Southern California<\/a>, and on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/goddard\/2020\/new-ground-station-brings-laser-communications-closer-to-reality\">Haleakal\u0101 Volcano in Maui, Hawaii<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While laser communications can provide increased data transfer rates, atmospheric disturbances \u2013 such as clouds and turbulence \u2013 can interfere with laser signals as they travel through Earth\u2019s atmosphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The locations for OGS-1 and OSG-2 were chosen for their clear weather conditions and remote, high-altitude locations. Most of the weather occurring in those areas takes place below the summit of the mountains, leaving relatively clear skies perfect for laser communications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/ogs-2_hawaii.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/ogs-2_hawaii.jpg?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Optical Ground Station 2 in Hawaii\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 52% 73%; object-position: 52% 73%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/ogs-2_hawaii.jpg 6000w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/ogs-2_hawaii.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/ogs-2_hawaii.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/ogs-2_hawaii.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/ogs-2_hawaii.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/ogs-2_hawaii.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/ogs-2_hawaii.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/ogs-2_hawaii.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/ogs-2_hawaii.jpg?resize=900,600 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/ogs-2_hawaii.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/ogs-2_hawaii.jpg?resize=2000,1333 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">NASA’s Optical Ground Station 2 in Hawaii. <\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. LCRD allows the aerospace community to test and refine laser communications. <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>LCRD will prove the viability of laser communications systems from geosynchronous orbit \u2013 about 22,000 miles above Earth\u2019s surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Prior to supporting other missions, LCRD will spend two years conducting tests and <a href=\"https:\/\/staging-esc-preview.gsfc.nasa.gov\/projects\/LCRD?tab=opportunities%20for%20experimenters\" rel=\"noopener\">experiments<\/a>. During this time, OGS-1 and OGS-2 will act as \u201cmissions,\u201d sending data from one station to LCRD then down to the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>LCRD will test laser functionality with experiments from NASA, other government agencies, academia, and commercial companies. Some of these experiments include studying atmospheric disturbances on laser signals and demonstrating reliable relay service operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These tests will allow the aerospace community to learn from LCRD and further refine the technology for future implementation. NASA is providing these opportunities to grow the body of knowledge surrounding laser communications and promote its operational use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After its experimental phase, LCRD will support in-space missions, including an optical terminal that will be installed on the International Space Station. This terminal will collect data from science experiments onboard and then transmit the information to LCRD to be relayed to Earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/lcrd_conceptual_image_2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1321\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/lcrd_conceptual_image_2.png?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Photo Illustration of the LCRD communicating data from the space station to Earth.\" 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\/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: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Photo Illustration of the LCRD communicating data from the space station to Earth.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA \/ Dave Ryan<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. LCRD is one of many exciting laser communications missions. <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>LCRD is NASA\u2019s first-ever laser communications relay system. However, there are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/goddard\/2022\/the-future-of-laser-communications\">many missions<\/a> in development that will demonstrate and test additional laser communications capabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/updated-optical.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/updated-optical.png?w=1920\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"LLCD, LCRD, TBIRD, DSOC, ILLUMA-T, and O2O in a roadmap\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/updated-optical.png 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/updated-optical.png?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/updated-optical.png?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/updated-optical.png?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/updated-optical.png?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/updated-optical.png?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/updated-optical.png?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/updated-optical.png?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/updated-optical.png?resize=1200,675 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">NASA’s Laser Communications Roadmap – proving the technology’s validity in a variety of regimes. <\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA \/ Dave Ryan<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/ui.adsabs.harvard.edu\/abs\/2018SPIE10524E..0VR\/abstract\" rel=\"noopener\">TeraByte InfraRed Delivery<\/a> (TBIRD) payload will demonstrate laser downlinks at 200 Gbps \u2013 NASA\u2019s highest optical data rate. TBIRD offers an opportunity to test direct-to-Earth optical communications on a small satellite in low<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>LCRD\u2019s first user will be the <a href=\"https:\/\/esc.gsfc.nasa.gov\/projects\/ILLUMA-T\" rel=\"noopener\">Integrated LCRD Low Earth Orbit User Modem and Amplifier Terminal<\/a> (ILLUMA-T) aboard the space station. ILLUMA-T will complete NASA’s first end-to-end laser system and showcase the benefits laser can provide to astronauts and experiments. \n<ul>\n<li><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/heo\/scan\/opticalcommunications\/o2o\/\">Orion Artemis II Optical Communications System<\/a> (O2O) terminal will enable an ultra-high-definition video feed over infrared light between Earth and Artemis II astronauts journeying around the Moon.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In 2026, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission_pages\/psyche\/overview\/index.html\">Psyche<\/a> mission will reach its destination \u2013 an asteroid over 150 million miles away from Earth. Psyche will carry the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission_pages\/tdm\/dsoc\/index.html\">Deep Space Optical Communication<\/a> (DSOC) payload to test laser communications against the distinctive challenges presented by deep space exploration.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>All of these missions will help the aerospace community standardize laser communications for implementation on future missions. With lasers lighting the way, NASA can glean more information from space than ever before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>LCRD is a NASA payload aboard the Department of Defense\u2019s Space Test Program Satellite-6 (STPSat-6). STPSat-6, part of the Space Test Program 3 (STP-3) mission, will launch on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V 551 rocket from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. STP is operated by the United States Space Force\u2019s Space Systems Command.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>LCRD is led by Goddard and in partnership with NASA\u2019s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California and the MIT Lincoln Laboratory. LCRD is funded through NASA\u2019s Technology Demonstration Missions program, part of the Space Technology Mission Directorate, and the Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) program at NASA Headquarters.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-about-the-author nasa-gb-align-full width-full maxw-full padding-x-3 padding-y-6 hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-about-the-author\"><div class=\"grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-x-0 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black padding-top-3\"><div class=\"margin-bottom-4\"><h3 class=\"heading-14\">About the Author<\/h3><\/div><\/div><div class=\"grid-row grid-container padding-x-0 maxw-widescreen\"><div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6 desktop:padding-right-9\"><div class=\"grid-row\"><div class=\"hds-author-thumbnail mobile:circle-6 mobile:maxw-6 circle-card maxw-card thumbnail margin-right-2 desktop:margin-right-5\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"10rem\" height=\"10rem\" loading=\"lazy\" fetchpriority=\"low\" class=\"avatar avatar-300 photo medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/cropped-microsoftteams-image-14-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Katherine Schauer\"><\/div><div class=\"grid-col\"><div class=\"margin-bottom-2\"><h2 class=\"heading-29 line-height-sm\">Katherine Schauer<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"padding-y-2\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"desktop:grid-col-6 desktop:padding-right-9\"><p class=\"margin-top-0\">Katherine Schauer is a writer for the Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) program office and covers emerging technologies, commercialization efforts, exploration activities, and more.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full width-full maxw-full padding-x-3 padding-y-0 nasa_template_article_c hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-credits-and-details\">\n<section class=\"padding-x-0 padding-top-5 padding-bottom-2 desktop:padding-top-7 desktop:padding-bottom-9\">\n\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0\">\n\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-2 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-14\">Share<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"social-icons social-icons-round\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-x\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/intent\/tweet?via=NASA&text=6%20Things%20You%20Need%20to%20Know%20about%20NASA%26%238217%3Bs%20Laser%20Communications%20Relay%20Demonstration&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasa.gov%2Ftechnology%2F6-things-you-need-to-know-about-nasas-laser-communications-relay-demonstration%2F\" aria-label=\"Share on X.\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"1200\" height=\"1227\" viewBox=\"0 0 1200 1227\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path 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0c0-228-188-416-416-416V132c285 0 520 235 520 520z\"\/><circle cx=\"219\" cy=\"581\" r=\"71\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-5 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-14\">Details<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row margin-bottom-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"subheading\">Last Updated<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-8\">Jul 26, 2023<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-5 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\"><div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black \"><div class=\"margin-bottom-2\"><h2 class=\"heading-14\">Related Terms<\/h2><\/div><ul class=\"article-tags\"><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/goddard\/\">Goddard Space Flight Center<\/a><\/li><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/jpl\/\">Jet Propulsion Laboratory<\/a><\/li><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission\/laser-communications-relay\/\">Laser Communications Relay<\/a><\/li><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nasa-directorates\/space-operations\/space-communications-and-navigation-scan-program\/\">Space Communications & Navigation Program<\/a><\/li><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/technology\/\">Technology<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\t<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full width-full maxw-full padding-x-3 padding-y-0 hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-related-articles\">\t\t<section class=\"hds-related-articles padding-x-0 padding-y-3 desktop:padding-top-7 desktop:padding-bottom-9\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"w-100 grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0 text-align-left\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-4\"><h2 style=\"max-width: 100%;\" class=\"width-full w-full maxw-full\">Explore More<\/h2><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/earth\/nasa-led-mission-to-map-air-pollution-over-both-u-s-coasts\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/8p1a5473.jpeg?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/8p1a5473.jpeg 4246w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/8p1a5473.jpeg?resize=300,157 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/8p1a5473.jpeg?resize=768,401 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/8p1a5473.jpeg?resize=1024,535 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/8p1a5473.jpeg?resize=1536,802 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/8p1a5473.jpeg?resize=2048,1070 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/8p1a5473.jpeg?resize=400,209 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/8p1a5473.jpeg?resize=600,313 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/8p1a5473.jpeg?resize=900,470 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/8p1a5473.jpeg?resize=1200,627 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/8p1a5473.jpeg?resize=2000,1045 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">2 min read<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"related-article-title\">NASA-Led Mission to Map Air Pollution Over Both U.S. Coasts<\/h3><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2 days ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/centers-and-facilities\/wallops\/nasas-wallops-flight-facility-to-launch-student-experiments\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/wff-2023-068-004.jpg?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/wff-2023-068-004.jpg 1041w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/wff-2023-068-004.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/wff-2023-068-004.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/wff-2023-068-004.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/wff-2023-068-004.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/wff-2023-068-004.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/wff-2023-068-004.jpg?resize=900,600 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">4 min read<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"related-article-title\">NASA\u2019s Wallops Flight Facility to Launch Student Experiments<\/h3><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2 days ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/missions\/hubble\/nasas-hubble-restarts-science-in-new-pointing-mode\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/hubble-space-telescope-hst-7.jpg\" ><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">3 min read<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"related-article-title\">NASA\u2019s Hubble Restarts Science in New Pointing Mode<\/h3><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p-md color-carbon-60\">NASA successfully transitioned operations for the agency\u2019s Hubble Space Telescope to an alternate operating mode...<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2 days ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-topic-cards nasa-gb-align-full maxw-full width-full padding-y-6 padding-x-3 color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-topic-cards\">\t\t<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block-lg padding-x-0\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-center margin-bottom-3\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"desktop:grid-col-8 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-2\">Keep Exploring<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-36 line-height-sm\">Discover 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=\"#\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Missions<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/plugins\/nasa-blocks\/assets\/images\/topic-cards\/topic-card-sample-1.jpg\" ><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Humans in Space<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/plugins\/nasa-blocks\/assets\/images\/topic-cards\/topic-card-sample-2.jpg\" ><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Climate Change<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/plugins\/nasa-blocks\/assets\/images\/topic-cards\/topic-card-sample-3.jpg\" ><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Solar System<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/plugins\/nasa-blocks\/assets\/images\/topic-cards\/topic-card-sample-4.jpg\" ><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>6 Things You need to Know about LCRD Lee esta historia en espa\u00f1ol aqu\u00ed. NASA\u2019s Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) will use laser communications systems to transmit data from space to Earth. Below are six things you need to know about NASA\u2019s revolutionary LCRD mission. 1.  Laser communications will transform how NASA gets info to and from space. [...]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":239,"featured_media":62066,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nasa_hds_core_meta_l10n":"en-US","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_editor":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_contacts":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_topic":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_linked_locations":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_related_articles":[],"hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_id":"","hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_type":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_x":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_y":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_gallery_images":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[2857,2860,3207,3315,2661],"news-tags":[],"internal-terms":[],"coauthors":[],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"6 Things You Need to Know about NASA’s Laser Communications Relay Demonstration","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/technology\/6-things-you-need-to-know-about-nasas-laser-communications-relay-demonstration\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/technology\/6-things-you-need-to-know-about-nasas-laser-communications-relay-demonstration\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/image_07_0.png?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/image_07_0.png"},"articleSection":"NASA Centers & Facilities","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Katherine Schauer"}],"creator":["Katherine Schauer"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NASA","logo":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo.svg"},"keywords":["Technology","Goddard Space Flight Center","Jet Propulsion Laboratory","Laser Communications Relay","Space Communications & Navigation Program"],"dateCreated":"2021-11-16T00:50:00Z","datePublished":"2021-11-16T00:50:00Z","dateModified":"2023-07-26T20:32:37Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"6 Things You Need to Know about NASA’s Laser Communications Relay Demonstration\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/technology\/6-things-you-need-to-know-about-nasas-laser-communications-relay-demonstration\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"post\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-image-url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/image_07_0.png?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2021-11-16T00:50:00Z\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-section\" content=\"NASA Centers & Facilities\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-tags\" content=\"Technology,Goddard Space Flight Center,Jet Propulsion Laboratory,Laser Communications Relay,Space Communications & Navigation Program\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"Katherine Schauer\" \/>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/nasa.gov\/p.js"},"read_time":7,"time_ago":"3 years","featured_image":{"id":62066,"file":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/image_07_0.png","title":"image_07_0","alt":"LCRD, TBIRD, ILLUMA-T, DSOC, O2O Timeline","caption":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61529"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/239"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=61529"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61529\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":371571,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61529\/revisions\/371571"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/62066"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=61529"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=61529"},{"taxonomy":"news-tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-tags?post=61529"},{"taxonomy":"internal-terms","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-terms?post=61529"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=61529"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}