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Video of a cat nicknamed Taters has been sent from nearly 30 million miles away, thanks to a historic NASA laser communications demonstration. NASA’s Deep Space Optical Communications
Video of a cat nicknamed Taters has been sent from nearly 30 million miles away, thanks to a historic NASA laser communications demonstration.
NASA’s Deep Space Optical Communications experiment on December 11 streamed ultra-high-definition video from a record distance of 19 million miles (31 million kilometers, or about 80 times the Earth-Moon distance). The milestone is part of a demonstration of NASA technology that aims to broadcast video and other data from deep space at very high bandwidth, enabling future manned missions beyond Earth orbit.
“This achievement underscores our commitment to advancing optical communications as a key element in meeting our future data communications needs,” said NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy. “Increasing our bandwidth is critical to our future research and science goals, and we look forward to further developing this technology and transforming the way we communicate on future interplanetary missions.”
In the demonstration, a 15-second test video was transmitted using an advanced tool called a stone laser transceiver. It took 101 seconds for the video signal to reach Earth with a maximum system data rate of 267 megabits per second (Mbps). The device, which can send and receive near-infrared signals, beamed an encoded near-infrared laser from its launch site to the Hale Telescope at Caltech’s Palomar Observatory in San Diego County, California. Each frame of the looped video was then sent “live” to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, where the video was replayed in real time.
The laser communications demonstration, launched Oct. 13 alongside NASA’s Psyche mission, is designed to transmit data from deep space 10 to 100 times faster than the state-of-the-art radio frequency systems used in deep space missions today. As Psyche heads to the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, the technology demonstration will send high-data-rate signals to the Red Planet at the farthest distance from Earth. In doing so, it paves the way for higher data-rate communications that can send advanced scientific information, high-resolution images and videos to support humanity’s next giant leap forward: sending humans to Mars.
“One goal is to demonstrate the ability to transmit broadband video over millions of miles. Nothing in Psyche generates video data, so we typically send randomly generated packets of test data,” said Bill Klipstein, JPL technical demonstration project manager. “But to make this important event even more memorable, we decided to work with JPL designers to create a fun video that captures the essence of the Psyche mission demonstration.”
In the short, ultra-high-definition video uploaded ahead of launch, a JPL employee’s pet, an orange tabby cat named Taters, is seen chasing a laser pointer with overlaid graphics. The graphics show various features in the technical demonstration, such as Psyche’s orbital path, the dome of the Palomar telescope, and technical information about the laser and data rate. Tater’s heart rate, color and breed are also displayed.
“It can send video faster than most broadband Internet connections, despite being transmitted from millions of miles away,” said Ryan Rogalin, the project’s electronic receiver manager at JPL. “In fact, after the video was received at Palomar, it was sent over the internet to JPL, and that connection was slower than the signal from deep space. JPL DesignLab did a great job helping us demonstrate this technology; everyone loves Taters.”
There is also a historical connection: since 1928, a small figurine of the popular cartoon character Felix the Cat has appeared in television test broadcasts. Today cat videos and memes are among the most popular on the internet.
This final turning point occurred after “first light” on November 14. Since then, the system has demonstrated higher data rates and improved targeting accuracy during weekly inspections. On the night of December 4, the project showed downlink bitrates of 62.5 Mbps, 100 Mbps and 267 Mbps, which are comparable to broadband download speeds. During this time, the team managed to download a total of 1.3 terabytes of data. By comparison, NASA’s Magellan mission to Venus transferred 1.2 terabits during its entire mission from 1990 to 1994.
“When we reached first light we were excited but also cautious. It’s a new technology and we’re experimenting with how it works,” said JPL flight project manager Ken Andrews. “But now, with the help of our Psyche colleagues, we’re getting used to the system and can lock onto the spacecraft and ground terminals for longer periods of time than before. We’re learning something new with every payoff.” Source
Source: Port Altele
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