"NASA's Innovative Antenna Communicates with Deep Space Using Laser Technology"

NASA's experimental hybrid antenna at the Deep Space Network has successfully tracked and decoded the downlink laser from the Psyche spacecraft, demonstrating the potential for retrofitting giant dish antennas for optical communications. This breakthrough paves the way for higher-data-rate communications and supports future space exploration capabilities, including sending humans to Mars. The antenna's ability to receive both radio frequency and near-infrared laser signals marks a significant advancement in deep space communication technology.