NASA's laser communications demo sets record with signal to Mars spacecraft

nasa.gov October 3, 2024, 04:00 PM UTC

NASA's Deep Space Optical Communications technology has successfully sent a laser signal to its Psyche spacecraft, reaching a record distance of about 290 million miles from Earth. This milestone marks the completion of the first phase of the demonstration. The technology allows data transmission at speeds up to 100 times faster than traditional radio systems. During testing, the system achieved a maximum data rate of 267 megabits per second when Psyche was 33 million miles away. The project has downlinked nearly 11 terabits of data, including high-definition video and artwork. The flight transceiver will be powered back on in November to continue testing its capabilities.


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