As new instruments are launched into space very frequently, the need for better communication has become necessary. With time the data has also gotten complex and receiving & sending a large amount of data from space requires a more efficient way. Currently, space communication systems make use of radio-based communications to send more data. But for cutting-edge space instruments, a system that can handle more data will be needed.
That’s where laser communications step in. They are also called optical communications and they enable larger amounts of data such as scientific analysis back to Earth. The laser communication can ramp up the amount of data by up to 10-100 times compared to current systems.
“It would take roughly nine weeks to transmit a complete map of Mars back to Earth with current radio frequency systems. With lasers, it would take about nine days,” explains NASA.
Many data sending experiments planned
The space agency announced that it will be demonstrating the laser communications technology in a mission called the Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD).
“LCRD will demonstrate all of the advantages of using laser systems and allow us to learn how to use them best operationally,” said Principal Investigator David Israel. “With this capability further proven, we can start to implement laser communications on more missions, making it a standardized way to send and receive data.”
In June this year, the LCRD will be sent into geosynchronous orbit, which is around 22,000 miles above Earth. During the initial years of the mission, the system will be testing communications by carrying out many experiments that require sending and receiving data between the ground station in California and Hawaii.
Atmospheric disturbance is a concern
To prevent laser communication from getting blocked by clouds, the space agency will be testing the various effects of atmospheric disturbance that will be caused to the communications system. Once the tests are done, the LCRD will commence the process of sending information back and forth from ongoing space missions.
Besides, NASA has also partnered with Axiom Space, an aerospace startup, to launch a mission sending 4 non-professional astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) by January 2022. NASA will also be paying Axiom $1.69 million for delivering scientific samples back to Earth from the space laboratory.
