Subscribe free to our newsletters via your
. 24/7 Space News .




TECH SPACE
OPALS Boosts Space-to-Ground Optical Communications Research
by Staff Writers
Pasadena CA (JPL) May 18, 2015


This artist's rendition shows OPALS operating from the International Space Station. Image courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech. For a larger version of this image please go here.

Ever wonder why stars seem to twinkle? This effect is caused by variations in the density of our atmosphere that cause blurring in light coming from space. It's pretty for stargazing, but a challenge for space-to-ground communications.

A key technology called adaptive optics corrects such distortions. By combining adaptive optics with a laser communications technology aboard the International Space Station, NASA is working toward advances in space communications that could have major benefits for our data transmission needs here on Earth as well.

NASA's Optical Payload for Lasercomm Science (OPALS) on the space station has been conducting cutting-edge research on data transmission since June 2014. OPALS beams packets of information using lasers, which allows for sending data at a faster rate compared with transmission by radio waves.

For the first time, in March, researchers from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California, used OPALS to demonstrate that the laser signal from the space station can be focused into single-mode optical fibers on the ground. Single-mode optical fiber, with one-quarter the width of a human hair, is the standard in the telecommunications industry.

In more recent experiments, researchers demonstrated a communications link between OPALS and the ground using an adaptive optics system. Researchers were able to transmit samples of video through the corrected laser signal and decode it on the ground.

Getting information from space to Earth is essential for exploring the solar system and studying our own planet from the vantage point of space. There are also benefits to Earthlings: The bandwidth for streaming your favorite shows or playing online games could be increased with laser communications technology.

"This technology could be used in the future for fast Internet connections from space by connecting satellite downlink signals to ground-based fiber optic networks," said Malcolm Wright, an optical engineer at JPL, where the OPALS project office is based.

The March demonstration, which used the one-meter Optical Communication Telescope Laboratory at Table Mountain near Wrightwood, California, advances the science of spacecraft-to-ground high-rate data transfer. Data links of tens of gigabits per second could potentially be supported through this technology.

"This represents the first demonstration of continuous adaptive-optics correction of a low Earth-orbiting spacecraft-to-ground optical link reported in the open literature," Wright said. "It lays the path for future robust, high-rate optical communications between low Earth-orbit and the ground."

One of the primary challenges is that laser beams are very narrow, and the OPALS instrument on the space station must be able to very accurately point the laser beam to the receiving telescope on Earth as it travels across the sky. The narrow laser beams and the movement of the space station also mean that even small distortions in the atmosphere can make a big difference in data transmission.

The space station's fast motion relative to the ground presents an additional challenge, compared to the traditional use of adaptive optics for static astronomical imaging. The adaptive optics instrument, which was provided by Boeing, headquartered in Chicago, uses the laser signal itself, in combination with mirrors and a high-speed camera, to sense the atmospheric differences that distort a signal from space and correct them.

"We wanted to find out: As the beam travels through different parts of the atmosphere, can we correct for the disturbances fast enough to get a stable signal for a good communications link?" Wright said.

During the March demonstration, when the OPALS instrument directed its downlink signal toward the telescope, the adaptive optics system received the signal and corrected for the effects of atmospheric turbulence for the entire 134-second pass.

"The way we communicate with and build spacecraft in the future could be revolutionized through the insights we gain from OPALS," said Matt Abrahamson, OPALS mission manager at JPL.

OPALS is a partnership between NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California; the International Space Station Program based at Johnson Space Center in Houston; Kennedy Space Center in Florida; Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, and the Advanced Exploration Systems Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington.


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


.


Related Links
NASA's Optical Payload for Lasercomm Science (OPALS)
Space Technology News - Applications and Research






Comment on this article via your Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle








TECH SPACE
Patria Space unit now part of RUAG
Helsinki, Finland (UPI) May 13, 2015
Patria of Finland has completed the sale if its Space business unit to Switzerland's RUAG Space for an undisclosed sum. The transaction included all the unit's business operations and assets, as well as the unit's 29 employees. Under RUAG, Patria's Space is now named RUAG Space Finland. "The Space unit has now a better growth basis and has more possibilities to develop fur ... read more


TECH SPACE
NASA's LRO Moves Closer to the Lunar Surface

European Space Agency Director Wants to Set Up a Moon Base

Russia Invites China to Join in Creating Lunar Station

Japan to land first unmanned spacecraft on moon in 2018

TECH SPACE
Technique for finding signs of life on the Red Planet

Mystery Methane on Mars: The Saga Continues

Auroras on Mars

Quick Detour by NASA Mars Rover Checks Ancient Valley

TECH SPACE
Russia races to replace Sarah Brightman as space tourist

Photonic Laser Thruster Propels Simulated Spacecraft

Potentially Revolutionary Mission Heading for 2016 Launch

High-tech Analysis of Orion Heat Shield Underway

TECH SPACE
3D printer making Chinese space suit parts

Xinhua Insight: How China joins space club?

Chinese scientists mull power station in space

China completes second test on new carrier rocket's power system

TECH SPACE
ISS Partners Adjust Spacecraft Schedule

Samantha's longer stay on ISS

Italian astronaut shows how to use restroom on ISS online

Russia delays return of ISS crew members after supply ship failure

TECH SPACE
Report: SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket certified to fly NASA missions

DirecTV-15 and SKY Mexico-1 integrated for Ariane 5 heavy-lift mission

Russia to Launch US Comms Satellite Into Space

Fifth Vega takes shape for its flight with Sentinel-2A

TECH SPACE
Weather forecasts for planets beyond our solar system

Astrophysicists offer proof that famous image shows forming planets

Astronomers detect drastic atmospheric change in super Earth

New exoplanet too big for its star

TECH SPACE
Researchers develop artificial membranes with programmable surfaces

Tiny silicone spheres come out of the mist

OPALS Boosts Space-to-Ground Optical Communications Research

Patria Space unit now part of RUAG




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2014 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.