The American space agency NASA has completed a new experiment that sent data over 226 million kilometers in space. The result marks a major improvement over previous tests that measured data transfers over 31 million kilometers.
美国宇航局NASA完成了一项新实验，将数据发送到超过2.26亿公里的太空。该结果标志着比之前测量数据传输超过 3100 万公里的测试有了重大改进。
The method is known as Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC). The high-speed transfer technology uses lasers to send large data files over very long distances. NASA is looking to the method to improve, or upgrade, existing communication technology.
该方法被称为深空光通信（DSOC）。高速传输技术使用激光在很长的距离上发送大型数据文件。美国宇航局正在寻找改进或升级现有通信技术的方法。
Traditionally, NASA has depended on radio communications to send data back and forth through space. But this method has a limited bandwidth , meaning at a certain point the system can no longer effectively process data. So, the agency is seeking to use the new method to support new technologies and planned trips to the moon and other places.
传统上，美国宇航局依靠无线电通信在太空中来回发送数据。但这种方法的带宽有限，这意味着在某个时刻系统无法再有效地处理数据。因此，该机构正在寻求使用新方法来支持新技术和计划前往月球和其他地方的旅行。
NASA officials say the DSOC system will be able to transfer huge amounts of science data through space. This is especially needed for large data files, as well as high-quality images and videos sent from space.
NASA 官员表示，DSOC 系统将能够通过太空传输大量科学数据。这对于大型数据文件以及从太空发送的高质量图像和视频尤其需要。
The DSOC system is based on laser technology. Laser communications are also known as optical communications. NASA explains that the technology will permit “up to 100 times more data” to be sent back to Earth than current radio wave systems.
DSOC 系统基于激光技术。激光通信也称为光通信。 NASA 解释说，与当前无线电波系统相比，该技术将允许“多出 100 倍的数据”发送回地球。
“Much like fiber optics replacing old telephone lines on Earth as demand for data grows, going from radio communications to laser, or optical, communications will allow increased data rates throughout the solar system,” NASA said in a statement.
NASA 在一份声明中表示：“就像随着数据需求的增长，光纤取代地球上的旧电话线一样，从无线电通信到激光或光学通信将提高整个太阳系的数据速率。”
NASA said the laser system works with signals that exist at near-infrared wavelengths. Data transferred by laser takes the form of bits – the smallest pieces of data a computer can process. These bits are contained within the laser’s photons .
美国宇航局表示，该激光系统可处理近红外波长的信号。激光传输的数据采用位的形式——计算机可以处理的最小数据片段。这些位包含在激光的光子中。
NASA is testing the DSOC on its Psyche spacecraft. Psyche was launched in October 2023 on its way to observe a mostly metal asteroid . The experiments involved a device aboard Psyche. It was able to send data to and receive data from a telescope in California.
NASA 正在其 Psyche 航天器上测试 DSOC。 Psyche 于 2023 年 10 月发射升空，前往观测一颗主要由金属组成的小行星。实验涉及 Psyche 上的一个设备。它能够向加利福尼亚州的望远镜发送数据并从其接收数据。
The agency estimates it would take about nine weeks to transmit a complete map of Mars back to Earth with current radio frequency systems. But with a laser-based method, the time would be cut to nine days. Also, laser communications equipment is smaller and requires less energy.
该机构估计，利用现有的射频系统将完整的火星地图传回地球大约需要九周的时间。但如果采用激光方法，时间将缩短至九天。此外，激光通信设备更小并且需要更少的能量。
Laser-based communication has already been demonstrated in low Earth orbit and on the moon. But the research team working on the DSOC project said this is the first time the method has been successfully tested in deep space.
基于激光的通信已经在近地轨道和月球上得到了验证。但从事 DSOC 项目的研究团队表示，这是该方法首次在深空成功测试。
Meera Srinivasan is a project leader at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. She said in a statement the system was able to transfer about 10 minutes of data during an experiment on April 8. Srinivasan said the result represented an important new “ milestone ” for the project.
米拉·斯里尼瓦桑 (Meera Srinivasan) 是美国宇航局南加州喷气推进实验室的项目负责人。她在一份声明中表示，该系统在 4 月 8 日的一次实验中能够传输约 10 分钟的数据。斯里尼瓦桑表示，这一结果代表了该项目的一个重要的新“里程碑”。
The asteroid Psyche is traveling to is also called Psyche. It is believed to be made mostly of metal. NASA expects the spacecraft to travel about 3.6 million kilometers over six years to reach the asteroid. Developers of the system say when Psyche is at its farthest point from our planet, the DSOC system’s photons will take about 20 minutes to travel back to Earth.
普赛克 (Psyche) 前往的小行星也被称为普赛克 (Psyche)。据信它主要由金属制成。 NASA 预计该航天器将在六年内行驶约 360 万公里才能到达小行星。该系统的开发人员表示，当 Psyche 距离地球最远时，DSOC 系统的光子将需要大约 20 分钟才能返回地球。