Optical telecommunication tested between Earth and Moon
DOI: 10.1063/PT.5.027448
MIT Technology Review : Satellite communications currently use radio signals for data transmission. Now, a successful test of the Lunar Laser Communications Demonstration has opened the door to higher bandwidth transmissions through the use of lasers. The project, led by Don Boroson of MIT, used a probe in lunar orbit to send optical signals to a system of Earth-based receiving stations. They successfully transmitted high-definition video at rates of up to 622 megabits per second (Mbps), six times higher than current radio transmission. The system required aligning multiple telescopes around Earth to continuously receive the signal. Optical signals have difficulty traveling through the atmosphere, especially in cloudy conditions. However, a network of satellites using lasers for data transmission could significantly increase communication bandwidth.
