NASA beams cat video to Earth via laser for the first time

The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has shared an ultra-high-definition video sent via laser from deep space for the first time.

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NASA beams cat video to Earth via laser for the first time

NASA has achieved a first in space exploration. As part of its Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) project, NASA’s Psyche spacecraft has transmitted an ultra-high-definition video to Earth via laser from deep space for the first time. The video, sent from a distance of 31 million kilometers—approximately 80 times the distance between the Earth and the Moon—features a 3-year-old cat named “Taters” belonging to a NASA employee.

SENT IN 101 SECONDS

The 15-second video, transmitted at a maximum rate of 267 megabits per second using a state-of-the-art laser-based device, took 101 seconds to reach the Caltech Palomar Observatory in San Diego, California.

Ryan Rogalin, who works on the project, stated that despite the long distance, the system transmitted the video faster than many broadband internet connections on Earth. NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy said, "This accomplishment underscores our commitment to advancing optical communications as a key element to meeting our future data transmission needs.

Increasing our bandwidth is essential to achieving our goals. We look forward to the continued advancement of this technology and the transformation of how we communicate during interplanetary missions," she said.

NASA stated that the video, which had been pre-loaded onto the Psyche spacecraft launched in October, was transmitted to Earth on December 11.