1 00:00:00,190 --> 00:00:02,280 [Music] 2 00:00:02,280 --> 00:00:04,460 Since 1958, 3 00:00:04,460 --> 00:00:06,520 NASA has relied on radio wave 4 00:00:06,520 --> 00:00:09,580 technology to “talk” with missions in space. 5 00:00:09,580 --> 00:00:11,620 Today, we’re developing a 6 00:00:11,620 --> 00:00:13,650 better way to get spacecraft data 7 00:00:13,650 --> 00:00:15,750 back to Earth. 8 00:00:15,750 --> 00:00:17,790 That’s where the Laser Communications Relay 9 00:00:17,790 --> 00:00:20,940 Demonstration, or LCRD, comes in. 10 00:00:20,940 --> 00:00:23,110 Built and managed by NASA’s 11 00:00:23,110 --> 00:00:25,140 Goddard Space Flight Center, 12 00:00:25,140 --> 00:00:27,320 LCRD will send and receive 13 00:00:27,320 --> 00:00:29,500 near-infrared laser beams to and 14 00:00:29,500 --> 00:00:30,540 from Earth. 15 00:00:30,540 --> 00:00:32,720 As NASA’s first long-duration 16 00:00:32,720 --> 00:00:35,790 test of optical communications technology, 17 00:00:35,790 --> 00:00:39,810 the mission aims to perfect space and ground-based technologies. 18 00:00:39,810 --> 00:00:42,860 So, why lasers? 19 00:00:42,860 --> 00:00:45,030 Laser communications can 20 00:00:45,030 --> 00:00:47,200 transmit up to 100 times more data 21 00:00:47,200 --> 00:00:49,370 per second than previous systems 22 00:00:49,370 --> 00:00:51,410 by using a shorter wavelength of energy. 23 00:00:51,410 --> 00:00:53,450 With this increased bandwidth, 24 00:00:53,450 --> 00:00:55,490 missions can send larger files 25 00:00:55,490 --> 00:00:57,550 and even live high-definition 26 00:00:57,550 --> 00:00:59,650 video from space. 27 00:00:59,650 --> 00:01:01,690 Laser communications systems are 28 00:01:01,690 --> 00:01:04,830 smaller and more efficient than radio wave technology. 29 00:01:04,830 --> 00:01:07,940 They leave more room for science instruments, 30 00:01:07,940 --> 00:01:10,070 are cheaper to launch and require less 31 00:01:10,070 --> 00:01:12,120 energy onboard the spacecraft. 32 00:01:12,120 --> 00:01:14,210 These benefits extend to 33 00:01:14,210 --> 00:01:16,350 to receivers on the ground. 34 00:01:16,350 --> 00:01:18,510 Earth-based laser communications receivers 35 00:01:18,510 --> 00:01:20,670 can be up to 44 times smaller 36 00:01:20,670 --> 00:01:22,860 than current radio antennas. 37 00:01:22,860 --> 00:01:25,030 LCRD is the next step 38 00:01:25,030 --> 00:01:27,210 in making these technologies a reality, 39 00:01:27,210 --> 00:01:29,250 helping NASA to push the boundaries 40 00:01:29,250 --> 00:01:32,440 of scientific discovery and exploration. 41 00:01:32,440 --> 00:01:35,500 Eventually, NASA will integrate this technology 42 00:01:35,500 --> 00:01:37,570 into future missions, 43 00:01:37,570 --> 00:01:39,660 as well as share it with commercial companies. 44 00:01:39,660 --> 00:01:41,780 45 00:01:41,780 --> 00:01:43,840 46 00:01:43,840 --> 00:01:45,880 47 00:01:45,880 --> 00:01:47,910 48 00:01:47,910 --> 00:01:49,950 49 00:01:49,950 --> 00:01:52,000 50 00:01:52,000 --> 00:01:52,095