{"id":416752,"date":"2026-04-29T02:10:25","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T16:10:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?p=989518"},"modified":"2026-04-29T02:10:25","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T16:10:25","slug":"nasa-laser-terminal-enhances-views-during-artemis-ii-mission","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=416752","title":{"rendered":"NASA Laser Terminal Enhances Views During Artemis II Mission"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Millions of people watched the historic launch of Artemis II and were captivated by the mission\u2019s 10-day journey around the Moon as NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen ventured farther into space than any human before. Part of the public\u2019s ability to experience the mission in high-definition was due to laser communications.<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"width-full maxw-full margin-left-auto margin-right-auto hds-media-align-inline hds-module wp-block-nasa-blocks-video\">\n<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper width-full maxw-full flex-column\">\n<div class=\"hds-video-container width-full embed-container\"><video title=\"Orion Optical Comm O2O\" id=\"nasa-plus-sY9OK\" class=\"video-js video-player vjs-fluid width-full\" data-setup='{\"controls\":true,\"preload\":\"auto\",\"plugins\":{\"mux\":{\"debug\":false,\"data\":{\"env_key\":\"91nns8oppqdfqc44lgo4b1gni\",\"player_name\":\"www.nasa.gov Player\",\"video_name\":\"Orion Optical Comm O2O\"}}}}'  ><source src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/orion-shot-04-1.mp4\" type=\"video\/mp4\"><p class=\"vjs-no-js\">To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/videojs.com\/html5-video-support\/\"  rel=\"noopener\">supports HTML5 video<\/a><\/p><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-media-caption hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">\n<div>An animation depicting the Orion capsule using infrared light. Although infrared light is shown here, it is actually invisible to the human eye.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">\n<div>NASA\/Dave Ryan<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Laser, or optical, communications systems use invisible infrared light to transmit more data in a single downlink than traditional radio frequency systems. During Artemis II, NASA tested an <a href=\"https:\/\/gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasa.gov%2Ftechnology%2Fspace-comms%2Fo2o%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Ckendall.t.murphy%40nasa.gov%7Caac3feb135e34d97ab5508dea53add4e%7C7005d45845be48ae8140d43da96dd17b%7C0%7C0%7C639129869389431102%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=izy0W0mZ9%2Fur3WJSabXaG2O2zy8wWpSvj3HnijqZOMs%3D&amp;reserved=0\">optical communications system<\/a>&nbsp;to demonstrate the benefits laser communications can bring to future human spaceflight missions to the Moon.<\/p>\n<p>The optical terminal, a payload attached to the Orion spacecraft\u2019s exterior, marked the first time laser communications supported a crewed mission at lunar distance. The terminal collected and transmitted high-definition video, flight procedures, photos, engineering and science data, and voice communications to Earth over laser signals when the spacecraft had line of sight with ground terminals.<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-fit \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/callout-orion.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/callout-orion.png?w=800\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/callout-orion.png 800w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/callout-orion.png?resize=300,225 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/callout-orion.png?resize=768,576 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/callout-orion.png?resize=400,300 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/callout-orion.png?resize=600,450 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">The Orion capsule showing the Orion Artemis II Optical Communications System (O2O). O2O was developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington, Massachusetts.  <\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cAccess to high-resolution imagery and other scientific data during dynamic science mission phases is a game changer,\u201d said Dr. Kelsey Young, Artemis II lunar science lead. \u201cIt means faster insights, better science decision-making to support the crew as they&#8217;re completing science exploration, and a mission with a more integrated science presence. It felt like we were right there with the crew, and it maximized the lunar science impact of the mission as it allowed for a more productive crew science conference the morning after the flyby.\u201d<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-center padding-y-3 maxw-full width-full display-flex flex-align-center hds-module aligncenter wp-block-nasa-blocks-blockquote\">\n<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block display-flex flex-column flex-justify-center padding-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:display-flex mobile:display-block\">\n<div class=\"blockquote-icon margin-bottom-3\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"tablet:square-4 square-4 margin-right-3\" version=\"1.1\" aria-hidden=\"true\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 3000 3000\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 3000 3000;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"> <g> <path d=\"M586.7,1429.7c-10.7,1.5-21.4,2.8-33.9,4.5c6.9-26.6,12.7-50.7,19.5-74.6c32.4-114.1,78.5-222.2,146.8-319.5 c90.2-128.5,202.5-235.3,327.7-329.1c8.4-6.3,16.7-12.6,25.3-19.1c-66.3-105.1-131.5-208.6-197.3-313.1c-3.5,1.2-5.5,1.6-7.2,2.6 C714.4,469,576.1,575.7,456,705.3c-126,135.9-226.2,289.1-303,457.8c-98.8,217.1-151.3,444-147.2,683.3 c1.7,100.5,12.9,199.6,41.1,296.3C93.7,2303,182.2,2433,326.7,2520.1c176.9,106.7,366.8,126.8,563.4,70.5 c150.9-43.2,260.9-138.9,327.2-282.5c33.4-72.5,47.8-149.4,52-228.7c6.5-122.8-14.1-239.5-74.3-348.1 C1074.6,1514.5,832.7,1394.2,586.7,1429.7z\"><\/path><path d=\"M2912.5,1722c-129.9-210.9-320.2-309.4-567.9-296c-22.1,1.2-44,5.1-67.4,7.9c2.2-9.6,4-17.9,6.1-26.2 c37.9-153.6,99.3-296,198.8-420.5c77.8-97.4,167.1-182.9,265.8-258.8c15.6-12,31.3-23.9,47.9-36.5 c-66.2-105.1-131.9-209.2-197.2-312.8c-3.5,1.1-5.1,1.2-6.4,2c-167.2,95.6-316.1,213.7-443.2,358.8 c-105.1,119.9-191.1,252.3-259.5,396.3c-95.5,201-152.1,411.6-159.1,634.8c-3.9,125.5,4.8,249.7,40.1,371 c46.7,160.8,135.7,290.9,280.5,378.7c165.7,100.5,344.8,123,531.2,78.8c172.4-40.8,296.4-143.9,366.3-308.5 c28.5-67.2,40.6-138,44.6-210.5C3000.2,1953.3,2979.9,1831.4,2912.5,1722z\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"blockquote-content\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-4\">\n<h2 class=\"font-weight-extralight line-height-sm margin-top-0 section-heading-sm\"><span class=\"section-heading-sm\">Access to high-resolution imagery and other scientific data during dynamic science mission phases is a game changer.&quot;<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"display-flex\">\n<div class=\"blockquote-image hds-cover-wrapper margin-right-3\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/jsc2026e000831\/jsc2026e000831~large.jpg?w=1920&amp;h=1280&amp;fit=clip&amp;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Dr. Kelsey young\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/jsc2026e000831\/jsc2026e000831~large.jpg?w=1920&amp;h=1280&amp;fit=crop&amp;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1920w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/jsc2026e000831\/jsc2026e000831~large.jpg?w=300&amp;h=200&amp;fit=crop&amp;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/jsc2026e000831\/jsc2026e000831~large.jpg?w=768&amp;h=512&amp;fit=crop&amp;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/jsc2026e000831\/jsc2026e000831~large.jpg?w=1024&amp;h=683&amp;fit=crop&amp;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/jsc2026e000831\/jsc2026e000831~large.jpg?w=1536&amp;h=1024&amp;fit=crop&amp;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/jsc2026e000831\/jsc2026e000831~large.jpg?w=400&amp;h=267&amp;fit=crop&amp;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/jsc2026e000831\/jsc2026e000831~large.jpg?w=600&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop&amp;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/jsc2026e000831\/jsc2026e000831~large.jpg?w=900&amp;h=600&amp;fit=crop&amp;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/jsc2026e000831\/jsc2026e000831~large.jpg?w=1200&amp;h=800&amp;fit=crop&amp;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-11\">\n<p class=\"blockquote-credit-name line-height-sm margin-0\">Dr. Kelsey young<\/p>\n<p class=\"blockquote-credit-title line-height-sm padding-0 margin-0\">Artemis II Lunar Science Lead<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>During&nbsp;the about 10-day journey, the laser communications system exchanged 484 gigabytes of data between Orion and Earth, roughly equivalent to 100 high-definition movies compared to the capacity of standard radio frequency systems. The crisp, clear photos of <a href=\"https:\/\/gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasa.gov%2Fimage-article%2Fearthset%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Ckendall.t.murphy%40nasa.gov%7Caac3feb135e34d97ab5508dea53add4e%7C7005d45845be48ae8140d43da96dd17b%7C0%7C0%7C639129869389456613%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=S7m15RMvzSZt1MRmdQ4qsTDY55xAw0s7RU3Pnm%2FhRA4%3D&amp;reserved=0\">Earthset<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-assets.nasa.gov%2Fimage%2Fart002e021278%2Fart002e021278~medium.jpg&amp;data=05%7C02%7Ckendall.t.murphy%40nasa.gov%7Caac3feb135e34d97ab5508dea53add4e%7C7005d45845be48ae8140d43da96dd17b%7C0%7C0%7C639129869389476065%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=ctJB6uhWw8lILwnNjbf0qNku0ymShWsTA30uQA4fPWo%3D&amp;reserved=0\" rel=\"noopener\">Earthrise<\/a>, and many of the <a href=\"https:\/\/gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasa.gov%2Fgallery%2Flunar-flyby%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Ckendall.t.murphy%40nasa.gov%7Caac3feb135e34d97ab5508dea53add4e%7C7005d45845be48ae8140d43da96dd17b%7C0%7C0%7C639129869389495763%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=hyUJDseJpkRKzwF9yTHu0A8VG4Hbc2%2FJFrF97s%2FpgDc%3D&amp;reserved=0\">other mission images<\/a>&nbsp;were downlinked over the Orion Artemis II optical communication system\u2019s laser links. The terminal also was able to transmit data to the Orion capsule, delivering information to the crew.<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/art002e016318\/art002e016318~large.jpg?w=1920&#038;h=1440&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1440\" src=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/art002e016318\/art002e016318~large.jpg?w=1920&amp;h=1440&amp;fit=clip&amp;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"cmasaw3_20260407004054.JPG\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 54% 19%; object-position: 54% 19%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/art002e016318\/art002e016318~large.jpg?w=1920&amp;h=1440&amp;fit=crop&amp;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1920w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/art002e016318\/art002e016318~large.jpg?w=300&amp;h=225&amp;fit=crop&amp;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/art002e016318\/art002e016318~large.jpg?w=768&amp;h=576&amp;fit=crop&amp;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/art002e016318\/art002e016318~large.jpg?w=1024&amp;h=768&amp;fit=crop&amp;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/art002e016318\/art002e016318~large.jpg?w=1536&amp;h=1152&amp;fit=crop&amp;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/art002e016318\/art002e016318~large.jpg?w=400&amp;h=300&amp;fit=crop&amp;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/art002e016318\/art002e016318~large.jpg?w=600&amp;h=450&amp;fit=crop&amp;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/art002e016318\/art002e016318~large.jpg?w=900&amp;h=675&amp;fit=crop&amp;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/art002e016318\/art002e016318~large.jpg?w=1200&amp;h=900&amp;fit=crop&amp;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">The solar eclipse captured from a camera mounted on one of the Orion spacecraft\u2019s solar array wings during the Artemis II crew\u2019s flyby of the Moon\u2019s far side.<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Artemis II\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasa.gov%2Fmissions%2Fartemis%2Fnetworks-keeping-nasas-artemis-ii-mission-connected%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Ckendall.t.murphy%40nasa.gov%7Caac3feb135e34d97ab5508dea53add4e%7C7005d45845be48ae8140d43da96dd17b%7C0%7C0%7C639129869389520299%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=5KwBkB%2BFcffPk2%2FfdAjk%2BNbw8i3465%2F7fmvx4gil0HQ%3D&amp;reserved=0\">primary communications<\/a>&nbsp;support came from the <a href=\"https:\/\/gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasa.gov%2Fcommunicating-with-missions%2Fnsn%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Ckendall.t.murphy%40nasa.gov%7Caac3feb135e34d97ab5508dea53add4e%7C7005d45845be48ae8140d43da96dd17b%7C0%7C0%7C639129869389541599%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=XN5tGIKVXQo4Zm%2FxAw3Byj598IW3RLNgunv33PwdySY%3D&amp;reserved=0\">Near Space Network<\/a>&nbsp;and <a href=\"https:\/\/gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasa.gov%2Fcommunicating-with-missions%2Fdsn%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Ckendall.t.murphy%40nasa.gov%7Caac3feb135e34d97ab5508dea53add4e%7C7005d45845be48ae8140d43da96dd17b%7C0%7C0%7C639129869389563063%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=7DIQa3s2Go3KDw16eOKpxUJ5df45E1liKYlvn4r4Z8M%3D&amp;reserved=0\">Deep Space Network<\/a>, NASA\u2019s traditional radio frequency systems. At lunar distances, with the current processing structure, these systems were limited to single-digit data rates in the megabits per second range. When the optical system was in use, the Orion crew module established multiple 260 megabits per second downlinks, surpassing many of its demonstration goals.<\/p>\n<p>On Earth, NASA ground station telescopes at the NASA\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jpl.nasa.gov\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Jet Propulsion Laboratory<\/a> in Southern California and White Sands Complex in New Mexico were selected for their high-altitude, dry environments to ensure a strong link between Earth and the optical terminal aboard Orion. These stations collected the bulk of Orion\u2019s optical signals, hitting a record of 26 gigabytes of data received, downloaded, and transmitted to mission control in under an hour \u2013 enabling faster data transfer than most home internet capabilities.<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><video class=\"hds-video-background \" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" autoplay=\"true\" loop muted=\"true\" playsinline=\"true\"><source src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/output-progressive-182a999f-2b54-4fef-8636-def580cd3469.mp4\" type=\"video\/mp4\" \/><\/video><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">This video from the NASA broadcast shows the Orion feed switching from the radio frequency link over to the optical link and the change in clarity. <\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>In addition to NASA\u2019s two main ground stations, Orion also downlinked data to a <a href=\"https:\/\/gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasa.gov%2Fhumans-in-space%2Fnasa-australia-team-up-for-artemis-ii-lunar-laser-communications-test%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Ckendall.t.murphy%40nasa.gov%7Caac3feb135e34d97ab5508dea53add4e%7C7005d45845be48ae8140d43da96dd17b%7C0%7C0%7C639129869389581855%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=wKpgPipV47QmzSX7wkrhtmanQehO9aU6d1nDvgOGUgg%3D&amp;reserved=0\">newly developed site<\/a>\u00a0at the Australian National University Quantum Optical Ground Station at Mount Stromlo in Canberra, Australia. After several years of technical support, subject matter experts from NASA\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/glenn\/\">Glenn Research Center<\/a> in Cleveland and the agency\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/goddard\/\">Goddard Space Flight Center<\/a> in Greenbelt, Maryland, worked with the university to build and demonstrate a lunar-capable optical telescope leveraging affordable parts developed by commercial industry.<\/p>\n<p>Throughout the mission, the Australian site achieved dual-stream video with Orion for more than 15.5 hours, contributing to a live streaming view from Orion, which enabled millions of viewers to follow the mission. The ground station successfully downlinked the terminal\u2019s highest possible data rate of 260 megabits per second, proving that commercial, off-the-shelf parts can be leveraged to decrease the cost, time, and difficulty required to assemble optical ground stations.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260311-qogs-05202.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260311-qogs-05202.jpg?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 53% 32%; object-position: 53% 32%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260311-qogs-05202.jpg 9504w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260311-qogs-05202.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260311-qogs-05202.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260311-qogs-05202.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260311-qogs-05202.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260311-qogs-05202.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260311-qogs-05202.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260311-qogs-05202.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260311-qogs-05202.jpg?resize=900,600 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260311-qogs-05202.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260311-qogs-05202.jpg?resize=2000,1333 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Quantum Optical Ground Station (QOGS) at the Mount Stromlo Observatory in Canberra, Australia.<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">ANU\/Nic Vevers<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Throughout the mission, the Australian site achieved dual-stream video with Orion for more than 15.5 hours, contributing to NASA&#8217;s \u201cLive Views from Orion\u201d feed, which enabled millions of viewers to follow Artemis II milestones. The ground station successfully downlinked the terminal\u2019s highest possible data rate of 260 megabits per seconds, proving that commercial, off-the-shelf parts can be leveraged to decrease the cost, time, and difficulty required to assemble optical ground stations.&nbsp;<del><\/del><\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-center padding-y-3 maxw-full width-full display-flex flex-align-center hds-module aligncenter wp-block-nasa-blocks-blockquote\">\n<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block display-flex flex-column flex-justify-center padding-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:display-flex mobile:display-block\">\n<div class=\"blockquote-icon margin-bottom-3\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"tablet:square-4 square-4 margin-right-3\" version=\"1.1\" aria-hidden=\"true\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 3000 3000\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 3000 3000;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"> <g> <path d=\"M586.7,1429.7c-10.7,1.5-21.4,2.8-33.9,4.5c6.9-26.6,12.7-50.7,19.5-74.6c32.4-114.1,78.5-222.2,146.8-319.5 c90.2-128.5,202.5-235.3,327.7-329.1c8.4-6.3,16.7-12.6,25.3-19.1c-66.3-105.1-131.5-208.6-197.3-313.1c-3.5,1.2-5.5,1.6-7.2,2.6 C714.4,469,576.1,575.7,456,705.3c-126,135.9-226.2,289.1-303,457.8c-98.8,217.1-151.3,444-147.2,683.3 c1.7,100.5,12.9,199.6,41.1,296.3C93.7,2303,182.2,2433,326.7,2520.1c176.9,106.7,366.8,126.8,563.4,70.5 c150.9-43.2,260.9-138.9,327.2-282.5c33.4-72.5,47.8-149.4,52-228.7c6.5-122.8-14.1-239.5-74.3-348.1 C1074.6,1514.5,832.7,1394.2,586.7,1429.7z\"><\/path><path d=\"M2912.5,1722c-129.9-210.9-320.2-309.4-567.9-296c-22.1,1.2-44,5.1-67.4,7.9c2.2-9.6,4-17.9,6.1-26.2 c37.9-153.6,99.3-296,198.8-420.5c77.8-97.4,167.1-182.9,265.8-258.8c15.6-12,31.3-23.9,47.9-36.5 c-66.2-105.1-131.9-209.2-197.2-312.8c-3.5,1.1-5.1,1.2-6.4,2c-167.2,95.6-316.1,213.7-443.2,358.8 c-105.1,119.9-191.1,252.3-259.5,396.3c-95.5,201-152.1,411.6-159.1,634.8c-3.9,125.5,4.8,249.7,40.1,371 c46.7,160.8,135.7,290.9,280.5,378.7c165.7,100.5,344.8,123,531.2,78.8c172.4-40.8,296.4-143.9,366.3-308.5 c28.5-67.2,40.6-138,44.6-210.5C3000.2,1953.3,2979.9,1831.4,2912.5,1722z\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"blockquote-content\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-4\">\n<h2 class=\"font-weight-extralight line-height-sm margin-top-0 section-heading-sm\"><span class=\"section-heading-sm\">Space communications isn\u2019t just about moving bytes, it\u2019s about delivering the images, the video, and the voices of the crew that bring a mission to life.<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"display-flex\">\n<div class=\"blockquote-image hds-cover-wrapper margin-right-3\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/nasainsigniargb150px.png?w=150&amp;h=150&amp;crop=1\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Greg Heckler\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/nasainsigniargb150px.png 150w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/nasainsigniargb150px.png?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/nasainsigniargb150px.png?resize=100,100 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-11\">\n<p class=\"blockquote-credit-name line-height-sm margin-0\">Greg Heckler<\/p>\n<p class=\"blockquote-credit-title line-height-sm padding-0 margin-0\">SCaN Deputy Program Manager for Capability Development <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;Space communications isn\u2019t just about moving bytes, it\u2019s about delivering the images, the video, and the voices of the crew that bring a mission to life,&#8221; said Greg Heckler, SCaN&#8217;s deputy program manager for capability development. &#8220;With the optical payload, we were able to watch astronauts embark on their journey in near real-time. Those moments gave us a breathtaking new view of Earth and revealed the crew isn\u2019t just a team, but a family.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>As NASA pushes the boundaries of human exploration, the successful use of laser communications demonstrated faster data transfer, offering a glimpse into options for future agency missions.<\/p>\n<p>Under Artemis, NASA will send astronauts on increasingly difficult missions to explore more of the Moon for scientific discovery and economic benefits, building the foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars.<\/p>\n<p>Learn more about the Artemis II mission: <\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/artemis-ii\">https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/artemis-ii<\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full width-full maxw-full padding-x-3 padding-y-0 article_a hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-credits-and-details\">\n<section class=\"padding-x-0 padding-top-5 padding-bottom-2 desktop:padding-top-7 desktop:padding-bottom-9\">\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-2 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-14\">Share<\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"padding-bottom-2\">\n<ul class=\"social-icons social-icons-round\">\n<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-x\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/intent\/tweet?via=NASA&#038;text=NASA%20Laser%20Terminal%20Enhances%20Views%20During%20Artemis%20II%20Mission&#038;%23038;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasa.gov%2Fmissions%2Fartemis%2Fartemis-2%2Fnasa-laser-terminal-enhances-views-during-artemis-ii-mission%2F\" aria-label=\"Share on X.\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"1200\" height=\"1227\" viewBox=\"0 0 1200 1227\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M714.163 519.284L1160.89 0H1055.03L667.137 450.887L357.328 0H0L468.492 681.821L0 1226.37H105.866L515.491 750.218L842.672 1226.37H1200L714.137 519.284H714.163ZM569.165 687.828L521.697 619.934L144.011 79.6944H306.615L611.412 515.685L658.88 583.579L1055.08 1150.3H892.476L569.165 687.854V687.828Z\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-facebook\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasa.gov%2Fmissions%2Fartemis%2Fartemis-2%2Fnasa-laser-terminal-enhances-views-during-artemis-ii-mission%2F\" aria-label=\"Share on Facebook.\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M9 8h-3v4h3v12h5v-12h3.642l.358-4h-4v-1.667c0-.955.192-1.333 1.115-1.333h2.885v-5h-3.808c-3.596 0-5.192 1.583-5.192 4.615v3.385z\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-linkedin\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&#038;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasa.gov%2Fmissions%2Fartemis%2Fartemis-2%2Fnasa-laser-terminal-enhances-views-during-artemis-ii-mission%2F\" aria-label=\"Share on LinkedIn.\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M4.98 3.5c0 1.381-1.11 2.5-2.48 2.5s-2.48-1.119-2.48-2.5c0-1.38 1.11-2.5 2.48-2.5s2.48 1.12 2.48 2.5zm.02 4.5h-5v16h5v-16zm7.982 0h-4.968v16h4.969v-8.399c0-4.67 6.029-5.052 6.029 0v8.399h4.988v-10.131c0-7.88-8.922-7.593-11.018-3.714v-2.155z\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-rss\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feed\/\" aria-label=\"Subscribe to RSS feed.\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 800 800\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M493 652H392c0-134-111-244-244-244V307c189 0 345 156 345 345zm71 0c0-228-188-416-416-416V132c285 0 520 235 520 520z\"\/><circle cx=\"219\" cy=\"581\" r=\"71\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-5 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-14\">Details<\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row margin-bottom-3\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-4\">\n<div class=\"subheading\">Last Updated<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-8\">Apr 28, 2026<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row margin-bottom-3\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-4\">\n<div class=\"subheading\">Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-8\">Lauren Low<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-4\">\n<div class=\"subheading\">Location<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-8\">Goddard Space Flight Center<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-5 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black \">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-14\">Related Terms<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<ul class=\"article-tags\">\n<li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission\/artemis-ii\/\">Artemis 2<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/artemis\/\">Artemis<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/communicating-with-missions\/\">Communicating and Navigating with Missions<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/glenn\/\">Glenn Research Center<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/goddard\/\">Goddard Space Flight Center<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/jpl\/\">Jet Propulsion Laboratory<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/space-operations\/space-communications-and-navigation-scan-program\/\">Space Communications &amp; Navigation Program<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/communicating-with-missions\/\">Space Communications Technology<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/technology-demonstration-missions-tdm\/\">Technology Demonstration<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full width-full maxw-full padding-x-3 padding-y-0 hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-related-articles\">\n<section class=\"hds-related-articles padding-x-0 padding-y-3 desktop:padding-top-7 desktop:padding-bottom-9\">\n<div class=\"w-100 grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0 text-align-left\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-4\">\n<h2 style=\"max-width: 100%;\" class=\"width-full w-full maxw-full\">Explore More<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/artemis\/networks-keeping-nasas-artemis-ii-mission-connected\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/d2022-1116-rl7026.jpg?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/d2022-1116-rl7026.jpg 2200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/d2022-1116-rl7026.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/d2022-1116-rl7026.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/d2022-1116-rl7026.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/d2022-1116-rl7026.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/d2022-1116-rl7026.jpg?resize=2048,1366 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/d2022-1116-rl7026.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/d2022-1116-rl7026.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/d2022-1116-rl7026.jpg?resize=900,600 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/d2022-1116-rl7026.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/d2022-1116-rl7026.jpg?resize=2000,1334 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">5 min read<\/div>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\">\n<h3 class=\"related-article-title\">Networks Keeping NASA\u2019s Artemis II Mission Connected<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t3 months ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/artemis\/i-am-artemis\/i-am-artemis-erik-richards\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1-2.jpg?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1-2.jpg 6687w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1-2.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1-2.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1-2.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1-2.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1-2.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1-2.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1-2.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1-2.jpg?resize=900,600 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1-2.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1-2.jpg?resize=2000,1333 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">3 min read<\/div>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\">\n<h3 class=\"related-article-title\">I Am Artemis: Erik Richards<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t1 month ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/somd\/space-communications-navigation-program\/nasa-laser-communications-terminal-delivered-for-artemis-ii-moon-mission\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/o2o_at_ksc_5.jpg?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/o2o_at_ksc_5.jpg 985w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/o2o_at_ksc_5.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/o2o_at_ksc_5.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/o2o_at_ksc_5.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/o2o_at_ksc_5.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/o2o_at_ksc_5.jpg?resize=900,600 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">3 min read<\/div>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\">\n<h3 class=\"related-article-title\">NASA Laser Communications Terminal Delivered for Artemis II Moon Mission<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"p-md color-carbon-60\">The laser communications system for NASA\u2019s Artemis II mission arrived at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center&hellip;<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t3 years ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Millions of people watched the historic launch of Artemis II and were captivated by the mission\u2019s 10-day journey around the Moon as NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen ventured farther into space than any human before. Part of the public\u2019s ability to experience the [\u2026]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15595,15741,15681,15641,15614,15607,15682,16067,17485],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-416752","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-artemis","category-artemis-2","category-communicating-and-navigating-with-missions","category-glenn-research-center","category-goddard-space-flight-center","category-jet-propulsion-laboratory","category-space-communications-navigation-program","category-space-communications-technology","category-technology-demonstration"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/416752","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=416752"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/416752\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":416904,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/416752\/revisions\/416904"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=416752"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=416752"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=416752"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}