Have you ever tried to
download a movie
with slow internet a buffer
and it takes forever.
Now imagine trying to download movies
all the way from space.
The international Space
Station's new terminal Illuminati
will use laser communications
to demonstrate an enhanced way
to transmit data.
In fact,
Illuminati can transmit data at a rate
that would allow you to download
a movie in under a minute.
The process of sending
and receiving spacecraft
data is known as space communication.
NASA is enhancing space
communications capabilities
through the power of lasers.
Laser communications
use higher data rates
to send an increased amount
of science
and exploration data
to earth in a single transmission.
Historically, we've relied on radio
frequency communications
to send and receive data from space.
With laser communications,
we're supplementing that method.
Laser communications can help
NASA's science mission
send more information and data
that is vital to our understanding
of our planet,
the solar system and beyond.
To prove these
groundbreaking capabilities.
NASA's Insight Using laser
communications into multiple missions.
One of these missions
is a relay satellite known as LCD.
LCD, launched in 2021 and is NASA's
first ever laser relay,
which will receive data
from Illuminati on the space station.
Together, LCD and Illuminati
are NASA's
first ever end to end laser
relay system,
demonstrating the benefits
of a laser communications system.
Laser terminals are ideal for missions
like the space station
because they are typically
smaller, lighter
and more efficient
than comparable radio systems.
In 2022, NASA launched another laser
communications mission called T-bar
to demonstrate 200 gigabit per
second data
at a record setting rate for the agency.
T-Bird is a small satellite.
It's only the size of a tissue box.
And soon,
NASA's will launch a laser
terminal on Artemus Tube,
a crewed mission to the moon.
Onboard the Orion crew
capsule, the O2 system will send back
high resolution
images and video from the lunar region.
Illuminati, LCD, T-Bird and Otello
are only the start of how laser
communications are paving the way
for advancing our scientific discoveries.
NASA's infusing lasers to further advance
our communications capabilities
from the International Space
Station today
and to deep space in the future.