NASA Achieves New Distance Record for Laser Communications in Space

The Deep Space Optical Communications experiment successfully transmitted a laser signal over 10 million miles, paving the way for high-speed, two-way communication in deep space missions.

NASA's Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) experiment successfully transmitted a laser signal from the Psyche spacecraft, currently over 10 million miles away, marking a new distance record for laser communications in space.
The DSOC system uses near-infrared light, offering an increase in bandwidth and a significant boost in data speed compared to traditional radio wave communications.
The successful test is a crucial step towards enabling high-speed, two-way communication with spacecraft on deep space missions, potentially allowing high-definition video calls between astronauts and Earth.
Further tests will continue as the Psyche spacecraft voyages towards its mission target, the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
The breakthrough could revolutionize deep-space communications, supporting future human missions to Mars and beyond.