Message received from space, originating 265 million kilometers away, by the European Space Agency (ESA)
The European Space Agency (ESA) made history on July 7, 2025, by establishing Europe's first deep-space optical communication link with NASA's Psyche mission, located a staggering 265 million kilometres away. This groundbreaking achievement was made possible by a high-power fiber laser system developed by NKT Photonics, enabling a narrow-linewidth, modulated laser signal to precisely locate and lock onto the spacecraft from Earth[1].
This milestone overcomes critical technical challenges, such as generating a powerful enough laser beam, precise pointing systems, and highly sensitive receivers capable of detecting faint return signals across vast interplanetary distances. The successful optical link marks a significant leap forward in high-data-rate communication capability between Earth and spacecraft in deep space, moving well beyond traditional radio frequency communications[1].
The implications for interplanetary internet are profound. Optical communication's higher bandwidth and lower power requirements could enable faster, more secure, and more reliable data links for future interplanetary missions. This paves the way toward a scalable interplanetary internet infrastructure supporting exploration, data relay, and real-time communication across the solar system[1].
Rolf Densing, ESA Director of Operations, described the optical communication as a "leap forward in bringing internet-like high-speed connections to spacecraft in deep space," while Mariella Spada stated that this achievement lays the foundation for the Solar System's internet[1].
The Kryoneri Observatory near Athens sent a laser beam to NASA's Psyche spacecraft, while the returned signal from the Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) experiment on board Psyche was received by the Helmos Observatory. The success of the optical communication link is a result of close cooperation between ESA and NASA[1].
NASA provided its Psyche mission with the DSOC experiment, while ESA developed the ground infrastructure in Greece. This collaboration sets the stage for future joint ventures in deep-space exploration and communication[1].
The program's goal is to create a secure and resilient interoperable network of networks for ESA missions, as well as institutional and commercial missions. The successful demonstration serves as the basis for the ASSIGN program, which aims to integrate existing and future radio frequency and optical networks[1].
Andrea Di Mira emphasised that optical links promise data rates 10 to 100 times higher than current radio frequency systems, while Abi Biswas from NASA praised the partnership with ESA[1].
As we look to the future, this breakthrough is an essential step toward robust space communication networks that could handle the increased data flow from humans and robotic explorers far beyond Earth orbit.
In unrelated news, researchers discovered a "time capsule" on Mars, ancient societies' interactions were revealed through 4000-year-old DNA, and a Norwegian city uses vacuum tubes for waste disposal. These discoveries and innovations further illustrate the exciting pace of scientific advancement across various fields.
[1] Source: ESA Press Release, July 7, 2025.
Science and technology played significant roles in the historic achievement of establishing Europe's first deep-space optical communication link with NASA's Psyche mission. This milestone in space-and-astronomy overcame critical technical challenges, paving the way for a higher bandwidth, lower power, faster, more secure, and more reliable interplanetary internet infrastructure.
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