Infrared laser signals are a technology that NASA will develop to improve communication between space and Earth
there NASA Preparing to open new horizons is the frontier of communications between space and Earth, using infrared laser signals and no longer radio waves. The project is ambitious and follows in the footsteps of the five-year program already presented by China. The first steps have already been taken, according to a recent press release, in which NASA announced that construction has begun on the second earth station that will send or receive messages using lasers. The headquarters are in Hawaii, while the first station was built in California.
Limits should not be underestimated
One of the limitations of this innovative system is the disruption that can cause atmospheric interference to communication, such as invalidating or even blocking the exchange of messages. It is no coincidence that the locations of the two earth stations have been chosen, in particular that of Hawaii, where the sky is supposed to remain clear for most of the year. In this first phase of testing, the weather conditions will also be monitored in order to choose the best location and, therefore, the station from which to transmit.
Increase data transfer speed
On the other hand, the advantages of laser contact are much greater. First of all, the speed of transmission and with it also the amount of transferable data. Space telescopes will receive high-resolution images in less time. But it will also reduce the volume and consumption of all the part that affects communications. In fact, the components of optical systems are more compact than those found in radio waves and in confined environments such as spacecraft and sensors, the benefits are immediate and visible. Keep reading.
cubs
Cubesat has launched Low Earth to test this new technology and discover its possible limits and possible areas of implementation. Cubes are relatively inexpensive systems that are only used in this type of experiment. The goal is to test laser communication first at the planetary level and then move to the most ambitious interplanetary level, aiming at the Moon and Mars, hoping to reach transmission speeds of up to 200 Gbps.
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