NASA receives signal from unprecedented distance

The Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) instrument on NASA's Psyche spacecraft has successfully transmitted data to Earth from an unprecedented distance.

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NASA receives signal from unprecedented distance

According to a statement from the space agency, data encoded with a near-infrared laser was sent to Earth from approximately 16 million kilometers away in the latest DSOC experiment. The signal was captured by the Hale Telescope at the Palomar Observatory, which is operated by the California Institute of Technology.

As reported by Independent Türkçe, the optical communication method based on laser beams had previously been tested between the Moon and Earth. However, it has now been demonstrated that this method can also be successful at extremely long distances, such as 16 million kilometers.

'REACHING FIRST LIGHT WAS A TREMENDOUS ACHIEVEMENT'

In the space agency's statement, it was noted, "This experiment is the farthest demonstration of optical communications to date." The communication system includes lasers that will enable high-bandwidth communication beyond the Moon's orbit. This technology aims to send more data to Earth during deep space missions.

Abi Biswas of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory said, "Reaching first light was a tremendous achievement." The project expert, who stated, "Ground systems successfully detected the deep space laser photons from the DSOC flight transceiver on the Psyche spacecraft," continued as follows:

We were also able to send some data. This means we are able to exchange 'bits of light' from deep space.

WHAT WE WILL LEARN FROM THE SPACECRAFT

The Psyche spacecraft was launched on October 13 to travel to the asteroid 16 Psyche, which is claimed to be filled with precious metals. The spacecraft, which takes its name from the asteroid it is traveling to, will cover approximately 3.5 billion kilometers on this journey.

Experts say the asteroid, which is about 200 kilometers wide and located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, is the largest of the M-type asteroids. Psyche, the most expensive asteroid known, is composed of precious metals such as iron and nickel, unlike other asteroids formed by silicate rocks. It is estimated that 60 percent of the asteroid consists of metal.

For this reason, some scientists have suggested that Psyche is worth exactly 10 quintillion dollars. However, the possibility that the asteroid is not as valuable as expected is still on the agenda. For example, researchers from Purdue and Brown universities in the US argue that the iron density in the asteroid is not as high as previously thought and therefore its value may be lower.

To solve this mystery, it is essential for the spacecraft to take a close look at the asteroid. The spacecraft is planned to reach the asteroid in July 2029 and begin its research within a month.

The primary missions of the spacecraft will last two years. These missions include recording images of Psyche, mapping the surface, and exploring the chemical processes that formed the asteroid.

This examination will provide insights into how the interiors of all terrestrial planets, including Earth, were formed. The testing of Deep Space Optical Communications was considered a secondary mission. The system will continue to be tested throughout the first two years of the Psyche journey.

News Source: 12punto