NASA Space Laser Communication Will Help Transmit Huge Data and 3D HD Video into Deep Space

NASA's upcoming unmanned mission to moon, the Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer, LADEE, that is set to launch in September, will attempt to demonstrate that two-way laser communication beyond earth is possible, thereby increasing the possibility of transmitting huge amount of data.

The Lunar Laser Communication Demonstration aboard LADEE will transmit. According to the researchers, this new ability could even support 3D high definition transmission from deep space.

 The unmanned spacecraft will be launched on September 6 to assemble data about the lunar atmosphere as well the dust movements

"The goal of the LLCD experiment is to validate and build confidence in this technology so that future missions will consider using it," Don Cornwell, LLCD manager said in a news release. "This unique ability developed by MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory), has incredible application possibilities and we are very excited to get this instrument off the ground."

NASA has relied on radio frequencies (RF) for communication ever since it first ventured into space. However, due to the gradual increase in the demand for excess data capacity, a broader platform for communication is needed.  

The researchers hope that the introduction of laser communication will offer NASA the ability to extend communication application, such as 3-D video transmission and increased image resolution.

"LLCD is designed to send six times more data from the moon using a smaller transmitter with 25 percent less power as compared to the equivalent state-of-the-art radio (RF) system," said Cornwell. "Lasers are also more secure and less susceptible to interference and jamming."

The main mission objective of LLCD is to transmit hundreds of millions of bits of data per second from moon to earth. This means transmitting to more than 100 HD television channels simultaneously. Apart from this, the team will also test LLCD's receiving capacity by transmitting tens of millions of bits per second from earth to the spacecraft, which will confirm that the technology for greater bandwidth for future missions is possible.

LLCD signals will be received and transmitted at a primary ground terminal at NASA's White Sands Complex in New Mexico.

Cornwell concluded saying, "LLCD will be the first dedicated optical communication system and will send data millions of times faster."