English

NASA Completely Transforms Laser Communication and Space Weather Research

1234
2023-10-23 14:38:12
See translation

NASA is a pioneer in space research, once again attracting the attention of the world with fascinating insights. In a recent press release, NASA announced plans to test revolutionary laser communication systems and study the interaction between Earth and space weather.

A Great Leap in Space Communication: ILLUMA-T
The SpaceX 29 mission, scheduled for November 5th, will conduct research and technical experiments on the International Space Station (ISS), including integrated laser communication relay demonstrations of low Earth orbit user modems and amplifier terminals (ILLUMA-T). Once installed outside the space station, ILLUMA-T will test high-speed laser communication between the space station and NASA's laser communication relay demonstration in geosynchronous orbit.

Unlike traditional RF systems, this innovation uses invisible infrared light to achieve faster data transmission rates. This breakthrough marks an important milestone in the development of space communication and is expected to provide more efficient and fast data transmission for future missions.

Atmospheric Wave Experience (AWE)
Parallel to ILLUMA-T, another eye-catching experiment is being planned: the Atmospheric Wave Experiment (AWE). The AWE, also installed outside the International Space Station, will use infrared imaging instruments to measure the characteristics of atmospheric gravity waves. When the air is disturbed, these waves will pass through the Earth's atmosphere.

Studying these waves can provide a deeper understanding of the Earth's atmosphere, weather, and climate. It can also help develop methods to mitigate the impact of space weather, as it affects space-based and ground based communication, navigation, and tracking systems.

Meaningful cooperation
These projects are not just the result of NASA's work. This institution works closely with other well-known institutions. The ILLUMA-T project is managed by the Goddard Space Flight Center in collaboration with the Johnson Space Center and the Lincoln Laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The Future of Space Research
With these advances, the International Space Station continues to strengthen its position as a world leading laboratory. The research conducted on ships not only benefits humans on Earth, but also lays the foundation for human and robot exploration of activities beyond low Earth orbit, including lunar and Mars missions.

These missions have strengthened NASA's reputation as a world leader in space research, paving the way for discoveries that may change our understanding of the universe.

Source: Laser Network

Related Recommendations
  • NICT Japan corrects sudden data errors caused by atmospheric turbulence in laser links

    The National Institute of Information and Communication Technology of Japan, Nagoya Institute of Technology, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency have achieved the so-called "world's first successful demonstration of next-generation error correction codes, reducing the impact of atmospheric turbulence on ground to satellite laser communication".Atmospheric turbulence in ground-to-satellite laser...

    10-25
    See translation
  • Mei Xin Sheng: The development of high-precision polarized light crown products has been completed

    On September 5, when Mei Xin Sheng held an analyst meeting, it said that the company has launched a fully integrated ultra-low power optical proximity detection sensor and a three-in-one ambient light and proximity detection sensor with ultra-high sensitivity, which have entered mass production.The research and development of high-precision polarized light crown products has been completed, the fe...

    2023-09-05
    See translation
  • Netherlands Integrated Photonics Ecological Platform Raises € 60 million to Support European Photonics Startups

    PhotonVentures, based in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, has announced the launch of a venture capital fund designed to help early-stage photonic chip startups and scale-up businesses.In the first round of funding, PhotonDelta, a Dutch photonic integrated circuit (PIC) pioneer, raised €60 million as the lead investor and numerous private investors. PhotonVentures said it plans to raise a total of...

    2023-09-02
    See translation
  • From Colored Glass Windows to Lasers: Nanogold Changes Light

    For a long time, craftsmen have been fascinated by the bright red color produced by gold nanoparticles scattered in colored glass masterpieces. The quantum origin of this optical miracle has always been mysterious, until modern advances in nanoengineering and microscopy revealed the complexity of plasma resonance.Now, researchers are preparing to push nano plasma technology, which was once used fo...

    2024-01-02
    See translation
  • Acousto optic modulation of gigawatt level laser pulses in the ambient air of Nature Photonics

    An interdisciplinary research group, including the German synchrotron radiation accelerator DESY and the Helmholtz Institute in Jena, Germany, reported that invisible gratings made of air not only are not damaged by lasers, but also maintain the original quality of the beam. The relevant research has been published in Nature Photonics under the title of "Acousto opt modulation of gigawatt scale la...

    2023-10-12
    See translation