On July 7, ESA, the European Space Agency, successfully established Europe’s first deep-space optical communication link with NASA’s Psyche mission using a high-power fiber laser system from NKT Photonics. This groundbreaking achievement, conducted with NASA/JPL’s Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) demonstrator, marks a significant leap forward in high-data-rate communication across vast interplanetary distances.
This achievement was the result of collaboration between ESA, NASA/JPL, and a consortium of leading European companies including NKT Photonics. The major technical challenges that were addressed were to create a laser with enough power to be detected at extremely large distances, a pointing system with enough precision to aim accurately at the spacecraft an equally precise receiver system sensitive enough to detect the extremely faint return signals.
In collaboration with Swiss General Atomics Synopta, NKT Photonics supplied the multi-beam high-power fiber laser system, and the beam transmit system. The laser system emits a narrow-linewidth, modulated signal so that the distant spacecraft can precisely locate the ground station and lock onto it, establishing an optical link for high-speed data downlink. Located at the Kryoneri Observatory in Greece, the transmitter generates a multi-kilowatt beam capable of detection by the DSOC flight transceiver onboard the Psyche spacecraft, currently 265 million kilometers away, enroute to the metal-rich 16 Psyche asteroid.
The beam transmit system’s precision allows it to point with arcsecond precision to the spacecraft, enabling both a beacon for accurate downlink and the potential to uplink data, providing a glimpse into the future of deep space communication.
“We are immensely proud to be part of this transformative project”, said Mike Yarrow, Senior Engineering Manager at NKT Photonics. “Our expertise in fiber laser technology has allowed us to contribute to a system that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in free space optical communications. It doesn’t get more challenging or more awe inspiring than deep-space optical comms. This project not only showcases our ability to deliver unprecedented power and precision to meet our customers’ stringent requirements but also reinforces our commitment to forging successful collaborations and advancing knowledge to benefit society as a whole.”
This milestone is a testament to the power of international collaboration and technological innovation. As we celebrate this achievement, NKT Photonics remain dedicated to growing their experience and driving advancements that contribute to global scientific progress and inspire the next generation of exploration.
The technology developed for this project sets a new standard for future deep-space missions, particularly those to Mars and beyond, where high-speed, secure data transfer is essential. By participating in this part of the Psyche mission, NKT Photonics continues to expand their expertise in optical technologies, fostering innovations that have far-reaching applications across multiple sectors.