O2O
Overview
Previously known as LEMNOS, NASA’s Optical-to-Orion (O2O) program is expected to use lasercom for real-time 4K video transmission from the Orion spacecraft in cislunar orbit. It is expected to be used on the upcoming Exploration Mission 2, a crewed flight of the Orion 2 Scheduled for 2023. Transmit rates are expected to be up to 80Mbps up and 20Mbps down. To achieve this, the modem on the Orion spacecraft will convert data into an optical signal to be beamed from the surface of the Moon to a receiver on Earth. The same equipment sending the signal from the Moon will also have the ability to recieve an optical signal from Earth and convert this into data for the spacecraft to analyze. This is expected to improve quality of life for astronauts on their voyage as well as allow higher amounts of data and video to be streamed back to earth. [1]
Relevant Links
NASA Article: NASA Laser Communications to Provide Orion Faster Connections
Spaceflight Insider Article: Laser Communication Modem Being Developed For NASA’s Orion Spacecraft