Space Communications & Navigation Program

NASA has funded the development of new laser communications technology through small business Fibertek Inc. to help enable communications on Artemis II.

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NASA has funded the development of new laser communications technology through small business Fibertek Inc. to help enable communications on Artemis II.

NASA is working with private industry partners and small businesses under Artemis to produce scalable, affordable, and advanced laser communications systems that could enable greater exploration and discovery beyond Earth for the benefit of all. Laser, or optical, communications provide missions with increased data rates – meaning that missions using laser technology can send and … Read more

NASA’s Deep Space Network Turns 60 and Prepares for the Future – NASA

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NASA’s Deep Space Network Turns 60 and Prepares for the Future – NASA

The agency’s DSN provides critical communications and navigation services to dozens of space missions, and it’s being modernized to support dozens more. NASA’s Deep Space Network marks its 60th year on Dec. 24. In continuous operations since 1963, the DSN is what makes it possible for NASA to communicate with spacecraft at or beyond the … Read more

NASA’s Tech Demo Streams First Video From Deep Space via Laser – NASA

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NASA’s Tech Demo Streams First Video From Deep Space via Laser – NASA

The video, featuring a cat named Taters, was sent back from nearly 19 million miles away by NASA’s laser communications demonstration, marking a historic milestone. NASA’s Deep Space Optical Communications experiment beamed an ultra-high definition streaming video on Dec. 11 from a record-setting 19 million miles away (31 million kilometers, or about 80 times the … Read more

NASA’s Space Station Laser Comm Terminal Achieves First Link – NASA

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NASA’s Space Station Laser Comm Terminal Achieves First Link – NASA

A NASA technology experiment on the International Space Station completed its first laser link with an in-orbit laser relay system on Dec. 5, 2023. Together, they complete NASA’s first two-way, end-to-end laser relay system. NASA’s LCRD (Laser Communications Relay Demonstration) and the new space station demonstration, ILLUMA-T (Integrated LCRD Low Earth Orbit User Modem and … Read more

NASA’s Deep Space Optical Comm Demo Sends, Receives First Data – NASA

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NASA’s Deep Space Optical Comm Demo Sends, Receives First Data – NASA

DSOC, an experiment that could transform how spacecraft communicate, has achieved ‘first light,’ sending data via laser to and from far beyond the Moon for the first time. NASA’s Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) experiment has beamed a near-infrared laser encoded with test data fromnearly 10 million miles (16 million kilometers) away – about 40 … Read more

NASA Improves GIANT Optical Navigation Technology for Future Missions – NASA

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NASA Improves GIANT Optical Navigation Technology for Future Missions – NASA

Goddard’s GIANT optical navigation software helped guide the OSIRIS-REx mission to the Asteroid Bennu. Today its developers continue to add functionality and streamline useability for future missions. As NASA scientists study the returned fragments of asteroid Bennu, the team that helped navigate the mission on its journey refines their technology for potential use in future … Read more

NASA’s First Two-way End-to-End Laser Communications System – NASA

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NASA’s First Two-way End-to-End Laser Communications System – NASA

NASA is demonstrating laser communications on multiple missions – showcasing the benefits infrared light can have for science and exploration missions transmitting terabytes of important data. The International Space Station is getting a “flashy” technology demonstration this November. The ILLUMA-T (Integrated Laser Communications Relay Demonstration Low Earth Orbit User Modem and Amplifier Terminal) payload is … Read more

SCaN STEM Navigation Activities – NASA

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SCaN STEM Navigation Activities – NASA

Navigate Space: Space Communications and Navigation Workbook Grades 8 – 12  NASA navigates throughout the solar system and beyond, revealing the mysteries of the universe. In this workbook, you’ll use basic mathematics concepts to explore space navigation. We’ll use simplified, real-world examples supplied by navigation engineers to delve deep into the exciting world of space exploration. … Read more