NASA's OPALS Beams Video from Space

The Optical Payload for Lasercomm Science will beam video via laser from the International Space Station back to Earth. Here is animation showing how the technology works, with an explanation from the OPALS mission manager, Matt Abrahamson of JPL, plus the video NASA slated for OPALS' first official transmission.

[VideoFromSpace]

Congratulations OPALS! The possibilities and implications of your proof of concept are astonishing. Best wishes

[juantelle]

I would love to see an explanation on how are you dealing with light scattering in the atmosphere as well as to how precise the laser has to be aimed

[ms.robinson]

I can't wait. Good job guys. Keep up the good work& innovation. Yet, stay green & earth friendly. Let's keep this beauty spinning for as long as possible and she will continue to harbor & Appease you.♻🌎💫

[enzawashballs]

"Don't be so proud of this technological terror you've constructed" - The Death Star, Darth Vader, Star Wars

[zebrapleco]

I think one of the best features of this technology is that it appears to be a totally secure point to point data transmission that cannot be intercepted by prying eyes. The implications of a secure high speed means of data transmission are very interesting. I think that may be one of the primary reasons for the development of this technology when we've had other less secure means of data transmission for decades. I don't think it's a coincidence either that they failed to mention this when it could very easily be adapted and incorporated into our next generation of spy satellites as well as telecommunications satellites.

[HiAdrian]

Wonderful achievement. I wonder, would it be possible to modulate the frequency and create a downlink to all the laser-sharks roaming the oceans?

[RB]

Cool, could be the start of something great for comunications

[FTroopF]

Nice work NASA and CIT. What plans are there to increase bandwidth further with multiple lasers or something like DWDM?

[poliedrodeportivo]

How large was the file? how long did it take the file to be trnsmited? was it streamed?

[Chugosh]

That is a pretty amazing and cool technology.  Today, the ISS, Some future time, the Moon and even Mars!

[AsakuraClan]

What'll happen to the link when the station is on the opposite side of Earth/opposite of LA?

[mabellevonk]

Enlighten me: the trajectory of the video via laser beam will be blocked? With what type of assurances?

[EdoFuenzalida]

Isn't fiber optics light as well?

[viewitmytube]

Sending information with a laser at the speed of light, is the next big thing!

[raquelrodriguez]

Ahorita, el video no esta disponible y es importante para mi observarlo.

[lunarlies]

I had watched a video from a retired Naval Officer that stated that they were chem trailing our sky's because they were putting metals up there to create a world wide television screen.  He also said that we have the capabilities to create plasma balls in the sky and crash them to the earth, as if it is an asteroid attack.  Then they would use the cell phone towers to create the noise as if something was really crashing the earth.  They have been setting up for this for a long time.

[llaus]

If an aeroplane flies through the transmitting beam, will the skin of the plane be sliced by the beam?

[loomdun]

(I have no idea how to edit youtube comments) Uhh lets see, currently 148 seconds is about 790 megabytes per rotation. give or take a couple 50 depending on the exactness of when it begins and ends. How much time can the moon give per daily rotation? Lets say you have 3 ports on the moon, each with 100 seconds a day, that would be a additional 1.5 gigabytes of information you can transfer per day

[baltbum]

So, this is faster than my dail up internet connection? How much is it per month?

[BrandonCoteservingyou]

You were communicating before with light!!! Radio waves hello! Nasa should hire me