radio frequency based deep nafasi 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 nafasi 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 nafasi to metal-rich asteroid Psyche located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. This was first demonstration of optical communications beyond the Moon. Deep Nafasi Network (DSN) antenna received both redio frequency and near-infrared laser signals.
Deep nafasi communication is mostly conducted using radio frequencies. However, radio frequency-based system cannot meet current and future communication needs of nafasi 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 nafasi communications capable of meeting future interplanetary data transmission needs.
Deep Nafasi Optical Communications (DSOC) experiment is a technology demonstration payload onboard Psyche spacecraft which is currently travelling through deep nafasi to metal-rich asteroid Psyche iko katika ukanda wa asteroid kati Mars and Jupiter. In December 2023, it demonstrated high-bandwidth communications in deep nafasi 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.
Deep Nafasi 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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Marejeo:
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- Robinson BS, 2023. Mawasiliano ya Macho kwa Uchunguzi wa Anga na Sayansi. Mkutano wa Mawasiliano wa Fiber 2023.
- Onyesho la Tech la NASA Hutiririsha Video ya Kwanza kutoka kwa Deep Space kupitia Laser. Iliwekwa mnamo 18 Desemba 2023. Inapatikana kwa 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. Habari - Antena Mpya ya Majaribio ya NASA Inafuatilia Deep Space Laser. Iliwekwa mnamo 08 Februari 2024.Inapatikana kwa https://www.nasa.gov/technology/space-comms/deep-space-network/nasas-new-experimental-antenna-tracks-deep-space-laser/
- Mawasiliano ya Macho ya Nafasi ya kina (DSOC) https://www.nasa.gov/mission/deep-space-optical-communications-dsoc/
- Mission Psyche. https://science.nasa.gov/mission/psyche/
- Mtandao wa Anga za Juu wa NASA (DSN) https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/dsn
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