"NASA's Laser Comm Terminal Makes Historic Link in Space Station"

NASA's Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) and the Integrated LCRD Low Earth Orbit User Modem and Amplifier Terminal (ILLUMA-T) have successfully completed their first two-way laser link, marking NASA's first end-to-end laser relay system. This technology, which uses infrared light instead of radio waves, allows for more efficient data transfer and has the potential to significantly benefit science and exploration missions. The ILLUMA-T payload was installed on the International Space Station and is now communicating with LCRD, exchanging data at 1.2 gigabits-per-second. NASA is actively seeking experiments to work with LCRD to further optimize laser communications technologies.