NASA to Test Deep-Space Laser Communication on Psyche Mission
WASHINGTON, D.C., Aug. 9, 2023 — NASA’s Deep Space Optical Communications project will test the use of near-infrared lasers as potential replacements for the current radio frequency systems. The technology demonstration, scheduled to piggyback on the Psyche mission launching Oct. 5, could pave the way for broadband communications to support future missions to Mars. NASA is focused on laser, or optical, communication because of its potential to surpass the bandwidth of radio waves, upon which the space agency has