Laser Comm: The Next Generation of Space Communications

  • Released Tuesday, October 25, 2011
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NASA is looking for the next generation of space communications technology and Laser Comm may be the answer. Optical communications provide higher bandwidth, which allows for faster data flow and even opens the door to streaming high-def video from distant planets to ground stations on Earth. The Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) mission will be put to the test in 2017 on a Loral commercial satellite. There will be ground stations based at JPL in California and White Sands Complex in New Mexico and the demonstration is expected to run for two to three years.

(Updated Information)

Laser Comm Teaser
A one minute promotional teaser for the LCRD mission.

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Credits

Please give credit for this item to:
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center

This page was originally published on Tuesday, October 25, 2011.
This page was last updated on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at 1:53 PM EDT.

Tapes

This visualization originally appeared on the following tapes:
  • Laser Comm: The Next Generation in Space Communications (ID: 2011108)
    Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at 4:00AM
    Produced by - Jesse Allen (Raytheon)