An experimental laser communication system, which is being tested in the latter Mission by NASA on the Moon, set a new record speeds for extraterrestrial transmissions at 622 Mbps. This means future NASA missions will be able to transmit video in high resolution and in 3D.
The spacecraft LADEE aimed a laser beam at a ground station at USA (Photo: NASA )
Almost all space missions are currently based on radio communications, but they are experiencing significant constraints. One problem is that the electromagnetic spectrum is not unlimited, and the frequencies corresponding to radio waves and microwaves are now occupied. NASA, however, needs more and more rapid transmissions, and a good solution is to use laser radiation at other, more spacious frequencies.
Laser communication is now being tested on the recently introduced LADEE mission in orbit around the Moon. The vessel communicates via a laser beam with a station in New Mexico.
The speed of 622 Mbps "is six times higher than in the latest Moon radio system," said Don Cornell, LNM Coordinator of the Lunar Lunar Communication Demo (LLCD).
"The bandwidth of 622 Mbps would support 30 high resolution channels," he added.
The next test of the technology is planned for 2017, when a geostationary will be launched satellite which will act as a relay to communicate the station in New Mexico with a second station in California.
Editor: Vangelis Pratikakis
