NASA tests laser communications in space

NASA researchers have successfully tested laser communications in space, sending 4K video from an aircraft to the International Space Station and back.

The Verge website indicates that this technology allows for a live broadcast of the landing of astronauts on the surface of the moon as part of the Artemis 2 and Artemis 3 missions, planned for 2025 and 2026, respectively.

In addition, the test results demonstrate the prospects for developing optical communications that could be made with Mars and other planets. According to the website, NASA usually uses radio waves to communicate with space, but laser communications using infrared light could speed up data transfer by about 100 times.

It is worth noting that in June, the Russian company Bureau 1440 successfully tested laser communications with satellites in space, during which it transmitted more than 200 gigabytes at a speed of 10 gigabits/second between space devices with a distance of 30 to 1005 km. On July 25, the Russian laser communications station received a flight qualification certificate. The Russian Ministry of Digital Development reported that satellite Internet and communications using this technology will be available without interruption in remote areas of Russia.