NASA Will Attempt To Communicate Via Lasers From The International Space Station
NASA is attempting to demonstrate laser communications from the International Space Station (ISS). NASA is sending a technology known as Integrated LCRD Low Earth Orbit User Modem and Amplifier Terminal (ILLUMA-T) to the space station this year. ILLUMA-T will work with the Laser Communications Repay Demonstration (LCRD), launched in December 2021, to show NASA's first two-way, end-to-end laser communication system.
Making laser comms a robust alternative
Laser communications systems operate through invisible infrared light. Such systems are capable of sending and receiving information at high data rates, NASA said. When ILLUMA-T is installed on the space station, it will demonstrate the benefits of higher data rates for missions in low Earth orbit.
"Laser communications offer missions more flexibility and an expedited way to get data back from space," said Badri Younes, former deputy associate administrator for NASA's Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) programme. "We are integrating this technology on demonstrations near Earth, at the Moon, and in deep space."
Laser systems are also lighter and require less power, making them a good choice while designing spacecraft. NASA says ILLUMA-T is approximately the size of a standard refrigerator.
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"Once ILLUMA-T is on the space station, the terminal will send high-resolution data, including pictures and videos to LCRD at a rate of 1.2 gigabits-per-second," said Matt Magsamen, deputy project manager for ILLUMA-T. "Then, the data will be sent from LCRD to ground stations in Hawaii and California. This demonstration will show how laser communications can benefit missions in low Earth orbit."
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Most space-based missions currently use radio frequency systems. In the future, laser communications will supplement such communications systems. If laser communications system capable of data rates work as expected, such technologies will help with future mission future to the Moon, Mars, and farther off in deep space.
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