NASA’s ILLUMA-T payload was successfully installed on the International Space Station to demonstrate higher data rates in NASA’s Laser Communications Relay Demonstration on December 16, 2023. This represents a significant advance in space communication technology. The first two-way laser communications link between the LCRD and the ILLUMA-T was completed, creating NASA’s first bidirectional end-to-end laser relay system. Laser communications use infrared light to send and receive signals, allowing for more data to be transmitted and increasing the efficiency of data transfer. The ILLUMA-T payload was installed at the station’s Japanese Experiment Module exposure facility after being launched as part of SpaceX’s 29th commercial resupply service mission on November 9, 2023. The integration of laser communication technology in space has the potential to greatly benefit science and exploration missions. NASA continues to collaborate with industry, academia, and other government agencies to conduct experiments and operational demonstrations with the LCRD. For more information, please contact [email protected] NASA.
Source: scitechdaily.com
