NASA readies a new laser test to speed up space communications

Washington: US space agency NASA is all set for a new era of laser services, after the mission was delayed for two years.

NASA’s Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) is ready for launch on December 4. It will ride to space on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V-551 rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.

LCRD will showcase the unique capabilities of optical communications to increase bandwidth for communicating in space while reducing size, weight, and power requirements.