Laser Demonstration Reveals Bright Future for Space Communication
Dec. 23, 2013
The completion of the 30-day Lunar Laser Communication Demonstration or LLCD mission has revealed that the possibility of expanding broadband capabilities in space using laser communications is as bright as expected.
Hosted aboard the Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer known as LADEE, for its ride to lunar orbit, the LLCD was designed to confirm laser communication capabilities from a distance of almost a quarter-of-a-million miles. In addition to demonstrating record-breaking data download and upload speeds to the moon at 622 megabits per second (Mbps) and 20 Mbps, respectively, LLCD also showed that it could operate as well as any NASA radio system. "Throughout our testing we did not see anything that would prevent the operational use of this technology in the immediate future," said Don Cornwell, LLCD mission manager at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md.
For example, LLCD demonstrated error-free communications during broad daylight, including operating when the moon was to within three degrees of the sun as seen from Earth. LLCD also demonstrated error-free communications when the moon was low on the horizon, less than 4 degrees, as seen from the ground station, which also demonstrated that wind and atmospheric turbulence did not significantly impact the system. LLCD was even able to communicate through thin clouds, an unexpected bonus.
Click to play embedded YouTube video.
"In those rare moments of total quiet with a dark sky, I again feel the awe that struck me as a child. The feeling is utterly overwhelming as my mind races out across the stars. I feel peaceful and serene."
Awesome! Just for reference, 622 megabits is equivalent to 77.75 megabytes. That's a pretty fat pipe for a satellite, apparently. When I first read about LADEE I was pronouncing it the same as "lady" in my mind. A couple of days ago I was finally corrected when I heard someone in another video pronounce it like laddie. LADEE has a Scottish accent. Aye, LADEE.
Just call me "geck" because "zilla" is like a last name.
geckzilla wrote:
I first read about LADEE I was pronouncing it the same as "lady" in my mind. A couple of days ago I was finally corrected when I heard someone in another video pronounce it like laddie. LADEE has a Scottish accent. Aye, LADEE.
geckzilla wrote:Awesome! Just for reference, 622 megabits is equivalent to 77.75 megabytes. That's a pretty fat pipe for a satellite, apparently. When I first read about LADEE I was pronouncing it the same as "lady" in my mind. A couple of days ago I was finally corrected when I heard someone in another video pronounce it like laddie. LADEE has a Scottish accent. Aye, LADEE.
Thanks, Geckzilla - I also was pronouncing it as "lady"! I'll think of Scotty in Star Trek in future...
M
"In those rare moments of total quiet with a dark sky, I again feel the awe that struck me as a child. The feeling is utterly overwhelming as my mind races out across the stars. I feel peaceful and serene."
