[slate]
[slate] Hi. My name is Glenn
Jackson. I’m the NASA LCRD Project Manager.
[slate]
Laser communication is going to be
testing how we can move high bandwidth data
to Earth. Currently we use radio frequency to move data
and video to Earth. Laser communication increases that
bandwidth and allows us to get more data to Earth from astronauts
and science missions.
[slate]
Laser communication is a form of optical communication
Light travels at the same speed
as radio frequency, but it’s a much higher wavelength.
Smaller wavelength. We can increase the amount of data
transmit through optical communication. We’re going to learn how it
transmits through the atmosphere to Earth. We’re going to learn different
operational techniques in weather conditions and wind conditions.
We’re also going to be doing the first bidirectional communication
with a NASA relay called LCRD.
[slate]
[slate] So the public
is not going to be able to see the lasers. They’re in the inferred spectrum
they’re invisible to your eye. But you’ll be able to experience
the benefits of optical communication. Laser
communication operates at a much higher bandwidth, but it also
... it decreases the amount of weight
and energy needed in spacecraft, space exploration
to communicate.
[slate]
[slate] So yes
NASA communications networking will change with optical communications.
Optical communication increases the bandwidth capability
to gigabytes - ten to a hundred times - more than the radio frequency
capability we have today. This will increase our ability to
network in space and bring the internet around the Moon
and Mars.
[slate]
You can follow along on social media and
on the web at nasa.gov/lasercomms
laser comms is spelled l-a-s-e-r
c-o-m-m-s. Also this Sunday
at 4:00 a.m. join us to watch the launch live. So LCRD
is launching Sunday December 5th. We’ll see you on
NASA TV to watch the launch live.