{"id":770416,"date":"2023-10-25T12:37:37","date_gmt":"2023-10-25T16:37:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/?p=770416"},"modified":"2023-10-25T12:37:37","modified_gmt":"2023-10-25T16:37:37","slug":"nasas-first-two-way-end-to-end-laser-communications-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/?p=770416","title":{"rendered":"NASA\u2019s First Two-way End-to-End Laser Communications System"},"content":{"rendered":"
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5 Min Read<\/div>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNASA\u2019s First Two-way End-to-End Laser Communications System\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\"A<\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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NASA’s ILLUMA-T payload communicating with LCRD over laser signals.<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCredits: <\/span>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tNASA\/Dave Ryan<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

NASA is demonstrating laser communications on multiple missions \u2013 showcasing the benefits infrared light can have for science and exploration missions transmitting terabytes of important data.<\/p>\n

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The International Space Station<\/a> is getting a \u201cflashy\u201d technology demonstration this November. The ILLUMA-T (Integrated Laser Communications Relay Demonstration Low Earth Orbit User Modem and Amplifier Terminal) payload is launching to the International Space Station to demonstrate how missions in low Earth orbit can benefit from laser communications<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Laser communications uses invisible infrared light to send and receive information at higher data rates, providing spacecraft with the capability to send more data back to Earth in a single transmission and expediting discoveries for researchers.<\/p>\n

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\"The<\/figure>
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NASA\u2019s ILLUMA-T payload was delivered to SpaceX Dragonland, and the team integrated the payload into the Dragon trunk in preparation for its November launch. <\/div>\n
SpaceX<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Managed by NASA\u2019s Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN)<\/a> program, ILLUMA-T is completing NASA\u2019s first bi-directional, end-to-end laser communications relay by working with the agency\u2019s LCRD (Laser Communications Relay Demonstration<\/a>). LCRD launched in December 2021 and is currently demonstrating the benefits of laser communications from geosynchronous orbit by transmitting data between two ground stations on Earth in a series of experiments<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Some of LCRD\u2019s experiments include studying atmospheric impact on laser signals, confirming LCRD\u2019s ability to work with multiple users, testing network capabilities like delay\/disruption tolerant networking (DTN)<\/a> over laser links, and investigating improved navigation capabilities.<\/p>\n

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\"LCRD<\/figure>
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The Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) launched in December 2021. Together, LCRD and ILLUMA-T will complete NASA\u2019s first bi-directional end-to-end laser communications system. <\/div>\n
Dave Ryan<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Once ILLUMA-T is installed on the space station\u2019s exterior, the payload will complete NASA\u2019s first in-space demonstration of two-way laser relay capabilities. <\/p>\n

How It Works:<\/h3>\n

ILLUMA-T\u2019s optical module is comprised of a telescope and two-axis gimbal which allows pointing and tracking of LCRD in geosynchronous orbit. The optical module is about the size of a microwave and the payload itself is comparable to a standard refrigerator.<\/p>\n

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\"The<\/figure>
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NASA\u2019s ILLUMA-T payload in a Goddard cleanroom. The payload will be installed on the International Space Station and demo higher data rates with NASA\u2019s Laser Communications Relay Demonstration.<\/div>\n
Dennis Henry<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

ILLUMA-T will relay data from the space station to LCRD at 1.2 gigabits-per-second, then LCRD will send the data down to optical ground stations<\/a> in California or Hawaii. Once the data reaches these ground stations, it will be sent to the LCRD Mission Operations Center located at NASA\u2019s White Sands Complex in Las Cruces, New Mexico. After this, the data will be sent to the ILLUMA-T ground operations teams at the agency\u2019s Goddard Space Flight Center<\/a> in Greenbelt, Maryland. There, engineers will determine if the data sent through this end-to-end relay process is accurate and of high-quality.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cNASA Goddard\u2019s primary role is to ensure successful laser communications and payload operations with LCRD and the space station,\u201d said ILLUMA-T Deputy Project Manager Matt Magsamen. \u201cWith LCRD actively conducting experiments that test and refine laser systems, we are looking forward to taking space communications capabilities to the next step and watching the success of this collaboration between the two payloads unfold.\u201d<\/p>\n

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ILLUMA-T and LCRD demonstrating laser communications. <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Once ILLUMA-T transmits its first beam of laser light through its optical telescope to LCRD, the end-to-end laser communications experiment begins. After its experimental phase with LCRD, ILLUMA-T could become an operational part of the space station and substantially increase the amount of data NASA can send to and from the orbiting laboratory.<\/p>\n

Transmitting data to relay satellites is no new feat for the space station. Since its completion in 1998 the orbiting laboratory has relied on the fleet of radio frequency relay satellites known as NASA\u2019s Tracking and Data Relay Satellites<\/a>, which are part of the agency\u2019s Near Space Network.<\/a> Relay satellites provide missions with constant contact with Earth because they can see the spacecraft and a ground antenna at the same time.<\/p>\n

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Laser communications could be a game-changer for researchers on Earth with science and technology investigations aboard the space station. Astronauts conduct research in areas like biological and physical sciences, technology, Earth observations, and more in the orbiting laboratory for the benefit of humanity. ILLUMA-T could provide enhanced data rates for these experiments and send more data back to Earth at once. In fact, at 1.2 Gbps, ILLUMA-T can transfer the amount of data equivalent to an average movie in under a minute.<\/p>\n

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The ILLUMA-T \/ LCRD end-to-end laser communications relay system is one small step for NASA, but one giant leap for space communications capabilities. Together with previous and future demonstrations<\/a>, NASA is showcasing the benefits laser communications systems can have for both near-Earth and deep space exploration. <\/p>\n

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The goal of these demonstrations is to integrate laser communications as a capability within NASA\u2019s space communications networks: the Near Space Network and Deep Space Network. If you are a mission planner interested in using laser communications, please reach out to scan@nasa.gov<\/a>. <\/p>\n

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\"LLCD,<\/figure>
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NASA\u2019s Laser Communications Roadmap \u2013 proving the technology\u2019s validity in a variety of regimes. <\/div>\n
NASA \/ Dave Ryan<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The ILLUMA-T payload is funded by the Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) program at NASA Headquarters in Washington. ILLUMA-T is managed by NASA\u2019s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Partners include the International Space Station program office at NASA\u2019s Johnson Space Center in Houston and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington, Massachusetts.<\/em><\/p>\n

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LCRD is led by Goddard and in partnership with NASA\u2019s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California and the MIT Lincoln Laboratory. LCRD is funded through NASA\u2019s Technology Demonstration Missions program, part of the Space Technology Mission Directorate, and the Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) program at NASA Headquarters in Washington.<\/em><\/p>\n

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By Kendall Murphy and Katherine Schauer <\/strong><\/p>\n

Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD<\/strong><\/p>\n

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