CLEVELAND- As NASA prepares for its Artemis II mission, researchers at the agency’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland are collaborating with The Australian National University (ANU) to prove inventive, cost-saving laser communications technologies in the lunar environment, Molly Kearns writes for NASA. Continue reading original article.
The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:
27 June 2025 -The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is advancing laser communications as a faster alternative to traditional radio signals for space missions. Capable of transmitting data 10 to 100 times faster, laser systems use infrared light to send high-resolution video, images, voice, and science data over vast distances. While previously demonstrated, Artemis II, which is scheduled for 2026, will be the first crewed mission to test laser communications from deep space aboard the Orion spacecraft.
To support this effort, NASA’s Real Time Optical Receiver (RealTOR) project developed a low-cost laser transceiver using commercial off-the-shelf components. NASA Glenn engineers tested a replica of the system earlier this year, and are now collaborating with researchers at The Australian National University (ANU) to prepare for a demonstration during Artemis II.
At ANU’s Mount Stromlo Observatory, scientists plan to receive data transmitted from Orion as it orbits the Moon. Although not a primary ground station, the site will help evaluate the Glenn-developed transceiver design. If successful, the test will validate that commercially available parts can build affordable and scalable deep-space communication systems.
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Jamie Whitney, Senior Editor
Military + Aerospace Electronics
