DSOC on board the Psyche spacecraft (Optical communications in deep space) A communications spacecraft from a distance of approximately 16 million kilometers (about 40 times farther from the Moon than Earth) sent back “home” test data for the first time, which was received by the Palomar Observatory. In this context, it can be said that DSOC has obtained the furthest demonstration of optical communication to date.
In the early morning hours of November 14, DSOC reached what is called “first light” after the instrument’s laser transceiver picked up a strong ascending signal transmitted by the Optical Communications Telescope Laboratory at the Table Mountain facility near Wrightwood, California. Test data was also transmitted simultaneously via the downlink laser, which a “Close link” This is known as the procedure, and is also the primary goal of the experiment.
“Obtaining first light is one of the most important milestones for DSOC, paving the way for higher data rate communications capable of sending scientific information, high-resolution images and streaming video.” said Trudy Curtis, technology demonstration manager at NASA’s Washington Center.
Regarding this technology demonstration, it should be noted that it does not transmit data from the Psyche mission, however, its researchers are constantly working with the mission support team to ensure that the operation of DSOC does not interfere with the operation of the spacecraft.
“Tuesday morning’s test was the first to fully incorporate the ground instruments and onboard transceiver, requiring the DSOC and Psyche operations teams to work together. It was an enormous challenge and we still have a lot of work to do, but for a short time we were able to transmit Data, receiving and decrypting it. added Meera Srinivasan, Director of JPL DSOC Operations.
