In a remarkable feat, NASA‘s deep space communications technology aboard the Psyche spacecraft has broken records and demonstrated its ability to transmit messages from deep space using lasers.
This impressive achievement paves the way for future spacecraft to use optical communications, which enable faster and more complex data transmission.
Psyche’s star signal shines brightly.
The Psyche spacecraft, currently en route to the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, is equipped with a demonstration of Deep Space Optical Communications technology developed by scientists at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California.
While the spacecraft’s primary communication system relies on radio frequency, the optical communication demonstration demonstrated its potential as a game changer in deep space communications.
Revolutionary communication in deep space
The effective transmission of technical data from a distance exceeding 140 million miles (226 million kilometers), which is approximately 1.5 times the distance between Earth and the Sun, was achieved during an optical communication demonstration on April 8.
During the flyby conducted on April 8, approximately 10 minutes of duplicate spacecraft data were downloaded. According to Meera Srinivasan, the project head at JPL, before to that time, we were transmitting test and diagnostic data through our downlinks from Psyche.
According to the speaker, this achievement signifies a noteworthy milestone for the project as it showcases the integration of optical communications with the radio frequency communications system of the spacecraft.
Record data transfer speed
The laser communication technology from NASA used in this demo is designed to transmit messages from deep space at speeds 10 to 100 times faster than current state-of-the-art radio frequency systems used in deep space missions.
On December 11, 2023, the experiment achieved a maximum data transfer rate of 267 megabits per second (Mbps) from the near-infrared downlink laser of the aircraft laser transceiver, which is comparable to broadband Internet download speeds.
This was accomplished when the spacecraft beamed a 15-second ultra-high-definition video to Earth from a distance of 19 million miles (31 million kilometres, or about 80 times the Earth-Moon distance).
A laser message pushes the boundaries of space communication.
As the spacecraft ventures further from Earth, the data transfer rate is expected to decrease. However, during the April 8 test, the spacecraft transmitted test data at a maximum speed of 25 Mbps, far exceeding the project’s goal of demonstrating that at least 1 Mbps could be achieved at that distance.
The optically downlinked data was validated at JPL subsequent to the receipt of data from DSN and Palomar. It was a small amount of data downloaded in a short period of time, but the fact that we’re doing it now has exceeded all of our expectations,” explained Ken Andrews, project flight manager at JPL.
The optical communications demo not only demonstrated its ability to transmit pre-recorded data but also demonstrated its ability to receive data from the high-power uplink laser at JPL’s Table Mountain facility.
In a recent experimental endeavor, the initiative successfully transferred test data and digital photos of dogs to Psyche and vice versa, including a total distance of 280 million miles (450 million kilometers).
At JPL, Ryan Rogalin holds the position of Project Receiver Electronics Lead. He emphasized the learning experience, stating, “We’ve learned a lot about how far we can push the system when we have the clear, even though the storms have interrupted operations on both Table Mountain and Palomar at times.
The future looks bright for deep-space communications
In summary, the success of NASA Deep Space Optical Communications technology demonstration aboard the Psyche spacecraft marks a significant step forward in the future of deep space communications.
By enabling the communication of complex scientific information, high-resolution images and video at higher data rates, this technology will play a key role in supporting humanity’s next giant leap: sending humans to Mars.
As the Psyche probe continues its journey through the solar system, the optical communications demo will undoubtedly continue to break records and push the boundaries of what is possible in deep space communications.
This achievement demonstrates the ingenuity and dedication of the scientists and engineers involved while opening up new possibilities for future space exploration and scientific discovery.