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NASA’s Psyche mission will explore the unique metal-rich asteroid of the same name
NASA’s Psyche mission launched on 13 October 2023 on a journey to explore what could be the exposed metallic core of an ancient planet.
Riding along on board the Psyche spacecraft is an additional technology demonstration. NASA’s Deep Space Optical Communication (DSOC) will test the use of lasers to transmit and receive more data with distant spacecraft than is possible with the radio waves currently in use.
Using a narrow laser beam to communicate with a spacecraft located 300 million km away presents a challenge on both interplanetary and quantum scales. However, if successful, the DSOC demonstration could unlock a world of new possibilities for future deep space missions.
ESA will participate in the DSOC demonstration in 2025 and work has begun to develop the required cutting-edge laser technology and ground infrastructure in Europe.
ESA joins deep space communication demonstration
“Fiber optic technology on Earth has enabled incredible data transfer speeds for applications like the internet,” says Clemens Heese, the Head of the Optical Technologies section at ESA’s European Space Operations Center in Darmstadt, Germany. “However, data transfer with spacecraft at interplanetary distances is still limited to the use of radio waves.”
“We have already shown that optical communication can offer much higher data rates for Earth observation and telecommunications satellites in low-Earth orbits. But to use it at deep space distances, we need high-power, high-accuracy lasers and super-sensitive single-photon detectors that simply do not yet exist with the required performance.”
By using pulses of light with a higher frequency than radio waves, optical communication enables the transfer of more data in a given time period. This higher data rate could allow future deep space missions at certain distances from Earth to carry more sophisticated scientific instruments and return significantly more data than is currently possible.
However, testing new technology on a deep space mission, where every kilogram of payload has to be very carefully selected, is a rare opportunity. NASA’s DSOC is the first chance to build more trust in deep space optical communication and enhance its readiness for use in space flight.
ESA is participating in the DSOC demonstration to enhance European expertise both within and outside of the Agency. This involvement will enable future European solar system missions to consider using deep space optical communication and will boost European industrial capacity in the vital future technology sector of single-photon quantum optical communication.
Psyche: From Greek mythology to Greek mountain tops
ESA and NASA have a long-standing partnership in deep space communication and interoperability. This cross-compatible system ensures seamless communication across vast interplanetary distances and symbolizes strong international cooperation in space exploration.