Chinese researchers complete Earth-moon two-way laser link test
Chinese researchers have successfully conducted a two-way high-speed laser communication test between Earth and the moon. This achievement overcomes significant technical hurdles like beam alignment and signal interference, potentially paving the way for more efficient deep-space data transmission.
Why it matters
Advancements in laser communication are critical for the future of deep-space exploration, offering higher bandwidth and security than traditional radio-based systems.
An illustration of a radio telescope under the moon at night. /VCG
Researchers have completed a laser communications test between Earth and the moon, successfully verifying two-way high-speed laser link capabilities in orbit, the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization (CSU) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences said on Friday.
After more than a year of in-orbit testing, the team established a two-way laser communication link across a distance of over 400,000 kilometers, marking the expansion of China's space laser communications from near-Earth orbit to deep space.
Compared with traditional microwave communications, laser communications offer faster speeds, greater bandwidth, stronger security and more compact hardware. However, enabling laser communications across the Earth-moon distance required overcoming three major challenges: beam alignment, signal weakness and transmission speed.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in