At present, international astronomical organizations have sent different ships or space probes into space to explain cosmic phenomena and explore the mysterious boundaries of the infinite universe around us.
Recently, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration America, known as NASA for short, has received mysterious laser signals from space. But who are you communicating with?
On this occasion we will tell you about these confusing laser signals that NASA transmits millions of kilometers into space.
On October 12, NASA sent Psyche spacecraft, with the aim of exploring the metallic asteroid of the same name, located in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter; Find evidence that explains the origin of our solar system and the planets that make it up.
These space missions are led by members Jet Propulsion Laboratory at NASA's (JPL). California Institute of Technology (Caltech).
The experts responsible for the mission note that the Psyche spacecraft is integrated with an innovative technology called Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) to test high data rate laser communications that could be used by future NASA missions.
On April 8, JPL members received the first transmission of laser signals from DSOC, located aboard the Psyche spacecraft, 226 million kilometers away.
“After communicating with Psyche's radio frequency transmitter, the laser communication beacon sent a copy of the engineering data over 226 million kilometers, one and a half times the distance between the Earth and the Sun.”, mentioned in Report From NASA.
This NASA mission has created a new milestone in the field of modern astronomy, as they have demonstrated the technological feasibility of a new type of communication in deep space and on Earth.
“The achievement provides a glimpse into how future spacecraft can use optical communications to enable high-data-rate communication of complex scientific information, as well as high-definition images and video to support humanity's next big leap: sending humans to Mars.” notes NASA.
Unlike current next-generation radio frequency systems, laser signals transmitted through DSOC are designed to reach speeds 100 times faster through deep space missions.
In addition, the signal received by JPL members at a distance of 226 million kilometers from DSOC surprised them, because at that distance they would receive laser signals at a speed of at least 1 Mbps, however, the spacecraft sent the maximum test data. 25Mbps speed exceeds your expectations.
«“It's a small amount of data sent over a short period of time, but the fact that we're doing this now exceeds all of our expectations.” exclaimed Ken Andrews, head of operations for Psych Mission.
This first-ever communication success between JBL members and the Psyche spacecraft's DSOC will completely change the way deep space communications with Earth are made, a major milestone for NASA and modern astronomy.
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