NASA's ILLUMA-T will send laser signals to the LCRD satellite, which transmits them to ground stations in Hawaii and California. (Image Credit: Dave Ryan/NASA)
The International Space Station is getting an upgrade with an Integrated LCRD Low Earth Orbit User Modem and Amplifier Terminal (ILLUMA-T) by the end of this year. Ultimately, it could serve as the method that humans use to communicate from low earth orbit, the moon's surface, and deep space.
"Laser communications offer missions more flexibility and an expedited way to get data back from space," said Badri Younes, former deputy associate administrator for NASA's SCaN program. "We are integrating this technology on demonstrations near Earth, at the Moon, and in deep space."
Laser communication systems are much better options compared to radio, a communication method used for manned and unmanned missions. For example, laser array equipment is more affordable and lightweight, making it beneficial for logistics. Plus, it can transmit more data in one go because the lasers have shorter wavelengths.
Close-up image of ILLUMA-T's optical (Image Credit: Dennis Henry)
NASA is launching the ILLUMA-T aboard a SpaceX commercial resupply services mission, and it's expected to work with the Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) that arrived in 2021. The idea here involves ILLUMA-T using infrared light for transmitting/receiving laser communications at higher speeds than before. In this context, we're talking about data rates at 1.2 GB/s, which means more photos and videos can beam to Earth.
Once deployed, the ILLUMA-T team also plans to run tests and in-orbit checkout before sending the first beam of laser light through its optical telescope to the LCRD satellite that's stationed in geosynchronous orbit. Then, the LCRD delivers that data to California and Hawaii-based ground stations. Those areas were chosen since they don't have much cloud cover that obstructs laser transmissions.
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