Laser Communications Relay Demonstration

The Laser Communication Relay Demonstration (LCRD) is a NASA mission. The mission is to test laser communication in space.

What are the key facts of LCRD?

• It is integrated in STPSat – 6. It is to be launched under the Space Test Programme on Atlas V rocket.
• The mission is managed by NASA.
• The concept of laser communication in space was first tested in LADEE (Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer) orbiter in 2013. The LADEE successfully conducted the test by transmitting data from the moon to the earth ground station. It transferred 622 megabits in one second.
• The LCRD will deliver data at 1.2 gigabits per second speed.
• Usually, the optical communication systems have reduced size, power requirement and weight as compared to the radio communication systems. However, LCRD is the size of a king sized mattress.

What is the purpose of LCRD?

The LCRD aims to prove the utility of bidirectional optical communication relay services between the earth and its orbit. After the success of LCRD, NASA is to commercialize laser based space communications.

What are the objectives of LCRD?

• To demonstrate bidirectional laser communication between geosynchronous orbit of the earth and the ground station.
• To measure and characterize the system performance
• To develop operational procedure and assess the capability for future missions
• To provide an on – orbit capability to test and demonstrate standards of relay communications.

Why laser communication in space?

The Laser Communication in Space gives 100 times faster data transfer as compared to radio communication. This is mainly because of its increased bandwidth. The laser communication is in need of the moment for inter – planetary services. As the planetary missions are increasing, the technology will bridge interplanetary distances.

What are the challenges in LCRD?

Unlike radio communications, the laser cannot penetrate cloud coverage. This is one of the biggest disadvantages of LCRD. Thus, NASA has chosen two specific ground stations. These ground stations are mostly free from clouds. They are Table mountains in California and Haleakala in Hawaii.