NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Optical Spectrum
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Optical communication is a form of long distance communication that uses light as a means of transmitting information. Within the context of NASA, optical communications refers to sending data across space using lasers instead of radio frequencies.

Artist's rendition of Optical Communications
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Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) will use optical transceivers both on the ground and in space to send and receive information. The transceivers will be able to utilize many of the composite portions of the optical spectrum through the implementation of signal modulation.

More Information:

› Importance of optical communications

› Optical communications benefits

› Optical communications challenges

› Optical communications demonstrations