radio frequency based deep spazio communication faces constraints due to low bandwidth and increasing need of high data transmission rates. Laser or optical based system has potential to break the communication constraints. NASA has tested laser communications against extreme distances and demonstrated high-bandwidth communications in deep spazio when it beamed to Earth an ultra-high-definition video via laser from a distance of 32 million km, from Psyche spacecraft which is currently travelling through deep spazio to metal-rich asteroid Psyche located in the asteroid belt between marzo and Jupiter. This was first demonstration of optical communications beyond the Moon. Deep lo spazio Network (DSN) antenna received both radio frequency and near-infrared laser signals.
In profondità spazio communication is mostly conducted using radio frequencies. However, radio frequency-based system cannot meet current and future communication needs of spazio sector in view of limited bandwidth and ever-increasing demand of high data transmission rates.
On the other hand, laser or optical based communication offer many advantages in terms of large bandwidths, high data rate links and low SWaP (size, weight and power) terminals. It has the potential to enhance data rates 10 to 100 times the capacity of most sophisticated radio systems currently in use thus can break the communication constraints. Hence, the imperative to advance optical communications for high-capacity deep spazio communications capable of meeting future interplanetary data transmission needs.
In profondità lo spazio Optical Communications (DSOC) experiment is a technology demonstration payload onboard Psyche spacecraft which is currently travelling through deep spazio to metal-rich asteroide Psiche situata nella fascia degli asteroidi in mezzo marzo and Jupiter. In December 2023, it demonstrated high-bandwidth communications in deep spazio when it beamed to Earth an ultra-high-definition video via laser from 32 million km in deep space. This was first demonstration of optical communications beyond the Moon.
The Deep lo spazio Network (DSN) is network of facilities located in different parts of the world to communicate with faraway spacecrafts exploring solar system. An experimental antenna of this network received both radio and laser signals beamed from Psyche spacecraft in deep space. This suggests that DSN antennas which currently communicate with spacecrafts via radio signals could be retrofitted for laser communications.
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Riferimenti:
- Karmous S., et al 2022. In che modo le comunicazioni ottiche possono plasmare il futuro delle comunicazioni nello spazio profondo? Un sondaggio. Prestampa arXiv. DOI: https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2212.04933
- RobinsonBS, 2023. Comunicazioni ottiche per l'esplorazione spaziale e la scienza. Conferenza sulle comunicazioni in fibra ottica 2023.
- La demo tecnica della NASA trasmette in streaming il primo video dallo spazio profondo tramite laser. Pubblicato il 18 dicembre 2023. Disponibile su https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/stmd/tech-demo-missions-program/deep-space-optical-communications-dsoc/nasas-tech-demo-streams-first-video-from-deep-space-via-laser/
- NASA. Notizie – La nuova antenna sperimentale della NASA traccia il laser nello spazio profondo. Inserito l'08 febbraio 2024.Disponibile su https://www.nasa.gov/technology/space-comms/deep-space-network/nasas-new-experimental-antenna-tracks-deep-space-laser/
- Comunicazioni ottiche nello spazio profondo (DSOC) https://www.nasa.gov/mission/deep-space-optical-communications-dsoc/
- Missione Psiche. https://science.nasa.gov/mission/psyche/
- Deep Space Network (DSN) della NASA https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/dsn
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