Shulou(Shulou.com)11/24 Report--

CTOnews.com, May 8 (Xinhua) NASA is using laser communication technology to change the way of space exploration. This technology can greatly improve the ability of spacecraft to send data, so that we can see more of the mysteries of deep space. During the next manned Artemis 2 mission, NASA plans to use a laser communication system to send back high-definition video from the moon, allowing us to enjoy the beauty of the moon in real time.

Laser communication is a technology that uses light waves to transmit information, which has many advantages compared with traditional radio wave communication. First of all, laser communication can transmit more data, because the frequency of light waves is much higher than radio waves, so it can carry more information. Secondly, laser communication can improve the security of information, because the laser beam is so narrow that it is difficult to be intercepted or interfered. Finally, laser communication can save weight and power consumption of space vehicles because laser transmitters are smaller and lighter than radio transmitters and consume less electricity.

CTOnews.com noted that NASA has carried out a number of laser communication experiments and tests in recent years to prepare for future deep space exploration. In December 2021, NASA launched the first laser relay satellite, LCRD (Laser Communication Relay Demonstration), which can establish a stable laser connection between Earth and spacecraft. Immediately after that, NASA launched a small satellite called TBIRD (TeraByte InfraRed Delivery) with a data transmission rate of 200 Gbps per second. Later this year, NASA will also install ILLUMA-T (Integrated LCRD Low-Earth-Orbit User Modem and Amplifier Terminal) on the International Space Station. Once operational, ILLUMA-T will relay data back to Earth through LCRD in NASA's first end-to-end laser relay communication system, laying the foundation for the O2O system that will be carried on Orion during the Artemis 2 mission.

These experiments provide a technical reserve for NASA's Artemis project. Artemis is a manned lunar landing program of NASA that aims to return humans to the moon and establish a permanent lunar base by the 1930s. The Artemis 2 mission, which will be the second part of the plan, is expected to launch in 2023 and will carry four astronauts to fly around the moon before returning to Earth. This will be the first time that man has approached the moon again since 1972.

The Artemis 2 mission will carry a laser communication terminal called O2O (Orion Artemis 2 Optical Communications System), which will upgrade Apollo-era radio communications to laser communications. According to NASA, the O2O system will send back high-definition images and videos from the lunar region, allowing us to see the true face of the moon in real time.

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