Janice R. Andrews
NASA has set a new record in space communication by transmitting a laser signal across an astonishing 466 million kilometers. The successful transmission, achieved on July 29, involved sending the signal from Earth to the Psyche spacecraft, marking the farthest laser communication ever accomplished.
This milestone was part of NASA’s Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) technology demonstration, integrated into the Psyche mission. The mission aims to explore the metallic asteroid 16 Psyche, located between Mars and Jupiter, to uncover insights about the early solar system’s formation.
DSOC utilizes advanced laser technology, offering significantly higher data transmission rates than traditional radio waves. Meera Srinivasan, operations lead at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, highlighted the achievement’s importance, saying, “This milestone validates optical communications as a robust and transformative tool for solar system exploration.”
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson celebrated the accomplishment, calling it “the farthest laser communication ever sent.” This technological breakthrough paves the way for enhanced communication capabilities in future deep-space missions, including those targeting Mars and beyond.
Launched on October 13, 2023, the Psyche spacecraft continues its journey, while this record-breaking success marks a pivotal step in advancing interplanetary communication and exploration.
