We're received video from Artemis II via optical communications!
The optical communications system on Artemis II is performing exceptionally well and proving its utility with over 100Gb of data downlinked so far including high resolution imagery and video! NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration - is now looking to increase the data rate to 100Mbps to allow as much data as possible to be relayed back during the mission. This system highlights the benefit of optical communications for future missions to the moon and beyond as operations become more complex.
The Australian National University Quantum Optical Ground Station (QOGS) at the Mount Stromlo Observatory in Canberra has performed incredibly as a test ground station for the Mission and has successfully received video from the Orion spacecraft! We now look towards how we can continue to support Orion as it moves towards its furthest point from Earth.
The QOGS lunar communications system is supported by the ASA, which invested $4.5 million through its Moon to Mars Demonstrator Mission Grant program. The QOGS at ANU is funded by the ACT Government, CSIRO and the ANU Institute for Space.
ANU Institute for Space | InSpace | Australian Space Agency | CSIRO | Space Industry Association of Australia | ACT Government
Photo:
1. The ANU Quantum Optical Ground Station pointed at Artemis II with the full moon. Credit: Francis Bennet