радио frequency based deep пространство communication faces constraints due to low bandwidth and increasing need of high data transmission rates. Laser or optical based system has potential to break the communication constraints. НАСА has tested laser communications against extreme distances and demonstrated high-bandwidth communications in deep пространство when it beamed to Earth an ultra-high-definition video via laser from a distance of 32 million km, from Psyche spacecraft which is currently travelling through deep пространство to metal-rich asteroid Psyche located in the asteroid belt between март and Jupiter. This was first demonstration of optical communications beyond the Moon. Deep Космос Network (DSN) antenna received both радио frequency and near-infrared laser signals.
Дълбок пространство communication is mostly conducted using radio frequencies. However, radio frequency-based system cannot meet current and future communication needs of пространство sector in view of limited bandwidth and ever-increasing demand of high data transmission rates.
On the other hand, laser or optical based communication offer many advantages in terms of large bandwidths, high data rate links and low SWaP (size, weight and power) terminals. It has the potential to enhance data rates 10 to 100 times the capacity of most sophisticated radio systems currently in use thus can break the communication constraints. Hence, the imperative to advance optical communications for high-capacity deep пространство communications capable of meeting future interplanetary data transmission needs.
Дълбок Космос Optical Communications (DSOC) experiment is a technology demonstration payload onboard Psyche spacecraft which is currently travelling through deep пространство to metal-rich астероид Психика, разположена в астероидния пояс между март and Jupiter. In December 2023, it demonstrated high-bandwidth communications in deep пространство when it beamed to Earth an ultra-high-definition video via laser from 32 million km in deep space. This was first demonstration of optical communications beyond the Moon.
The Deep Космос Network (DSN) is network of facilities located in different parts of the world to communicate with faraway spacecrafts exploring solar system. An experimental antenna of this network received both radio and laser signals beamed from Psyche spacecraft in deep space. This suggests that DSN antennas which currently communicate with spacecrafts via radio signals could be retrofitted for laser communications.
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Литература:
- Karmous S., et al 2022. Как оптичните комуникации могат да оформят бъдещето на комуникациите в дълбокия космос? Проучване. Предпечат arXiv. DOI: https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2212.04933
- Робинсън BS, 2023 г. Оптични комуникации за изследване на космоса и наука. Конференция за комуникации с оптични влакна 2023 г.
- Техническата демонстрация на НАСА излъчва първо видео от дълбокия космос чрез лазер. Публикувано на 18 декември 2023 г. Достъпно на https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/stmd/tech-demo-missions-program/deep-space-optical-communications-dsoc/nasas-tech-demo-streams-first-video-from-deep-space-via-laser/
- НАСА. Новини – Новата експериментална антена на НАСА проследява лазер в дълбокия космос. Публикувано на 08 февруари 2024 г. Налично на https://www.nasa.gov/technology/space-comms/deep-space-network/nasas-new-experimental-antenna-tracks-deep-space-laser/
- Оптични комуникации в дълбокия космос (DSOC) https://www.nasa.gov/mission/deep-space-optical-communications-dsoc/
- Мисия Психика. https://science.nasa.gov/mission/psyche/
- Мрежата за дълбок космос (DSN) на НАСА https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/dsn
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