NASA lasers will broadcast real-time and HD video from space during the Artemis II lunar mission

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) continues preparations for the second mission of the Artemis lunar programme. The space agency intends to broadcast video from space in real time.

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NASA used to rely on radio signals when it came to transmitting information from space to Earth. Now the agency wants to turn to laser communication services. This will increase the volume of data transfer.

For the Artemis II mission, the space agency will use the Orion Artemis 2 Optical Communications System (O2O) laser communication terminal. The module will be installed on the Orion spacecraft and will be capable of transmitting HD video to Earth in real time.

NASA has already had time to demonstrate the capabilities of new technology. The agency has sent into space satellites Laser Communication Relay Demonstration (LCRD) and TeraByte InfraRed Delivery (TBIRD). The latter was able to deliver data rates of 200 Gbps.

The agency is now preparing to send the LCRD Low-Earth-Orbit User Modem and Amplifier Terminal (ILLUMA-T) system into space. It will be delivered to the International Space Station (ISS) by the end of the year.

ILLUMA-T will be tasked with relaying data back to Earth. The previously mentioned LCRD satellite, which was sent into space in 2021, will help. The joint operation of the two devices will form the basis for the O2O system application.

In conclusion, the Artemis II mission is scheduled for the end of 2024. NASA recently announced the list of astronauts who will orbit the Moon aboard Orion and return to Earth. If successful, a third Artemis mission will take place in 2025, which will involve landing astronauts on the surface of the satellite.

Source: space