NASA has achieved a groundbreaking communication milestone by sending the first laser message from a whopping 10 million miles away, covering a distance 40 times greater than Earth to the moon.
Using the Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) tool aboard the Psyche spacecraft, which embarked on its journey from the Kennedy Space Center on October 13, NASA successfully beamed a laser message back to Earth on November 14.
The communication link was established with the Hale Telescope at the Palomar Observatory in California, marking a historic moment known as the ‘first light.’
The DSOC’s near-infrared photons took just about 50 seconds to travel from Psyche to Earth during this groundbreaking test.
A laser message traversing 10 million miles in less than a minute, showcasing the farthest demonstration of optical communications ever achieved.
This achievement not only pushes the boundaries of space communication but also sets the stage for future interplanetary conversations.
What other incredible messages might we receive from the depths of space in the near future?