Deep Space Optical Communications

Deep Space Optical Communications Demonstration
Scheme of the architecture for the planned Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) prototype
Program overview
CountryUnited States
OrganizationNASA
ManagerJet Propulsion Laboratory
PurposeLaser communication in space
StatusOngoing
Program history
Duration2017; 7 years ago (2017)–present

Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) is a laser space communication system in operation that improved communications performance 10 to 100 times over radio frequency technology without incurring increases in mass, volume or power.[1] DSOC is capable of providing high bandwidth downlinks from beyond cislunar space.

The project is led by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California. In April 2024, the system successfully communicated with the Psyche spacecraft at a distance of 140 million miles.[2]

  1. ^ Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC). Jennifer Harbaugh, NASA News 24 October 2017.
  2. ^ "NASA's Optical Comms Demo Transmits Data Over 140 Million Miles - NASA". 2024-04-25. Retrieved 2024-04-25.