NASA Streams First Video From Deep Space via Laser; Short Clip Features Cat Named Taters

NASA has achieved a historic milestone by streaming a "paw-some" cat video sent via laser from deep space.

Sent by the Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) transceiver aboard NASA's Psyche spacecraft, nearly 19 million miles from Earth, the video, featuring an orange tabby cat named Taters, was sent "live" on December 11 to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, where the video was played in real-time.

The demonstration was part of NASA's efforts to advance optical communications for future data transmission needs in deep space, particularly for human missions beyond Earth orbit.

Cat Named Taters Chases a Laser Pointer

The 15-second test video showcases Taters chasing a laser pointer, with overlayed graphics illustrating various features of the optical communications technology.

The video was transmitted via a cutting-edge instrument called a flight laser transceiver, using an encoded near-infrared laser. The system achieved a maximum bit rate of 267 megabits per second (Mbps), taking 101 seconds for the video signal to reach Earth.

NASA's Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy emphasized the significance of this accomplishment in advancing optical communications technology for future exploration and scientific goals.

The Deep Space Optical Communications experiment targets to transmit data from deep space at rates 10 to 100 times greater than current radio frequency systems used in deep space missions.

Initiated alongside NASA's Psyche mission on October 13, the technology demonstration aims to transmit high-data-rate signals to Mars. The optical communications system will facilitate enhanced communication capabilities as the Psyche mission journeys to the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

This advancement will enable the transmission of intricate scientific data, high-definition imagery, and videos supporting upcoming human missions, particularly those destined for Mars.

NASA Psyche's Orbital Path

The short ultra-high definition video featuring Taters was uploaded before the launch and creatively showcased the capabilities of optical communications technology.

The video includes graphics illustrating Psyche's orbital path, Palomar's telescope dome, and technical details about the laser and its data bit rate. Even Taters' heart rate, color, and breed are displayed in the graphics.

Despite the vast distance, the transmission of the video was faster than most broadband internet connections. Ryan Rogalin, the project's receiver electronics lead at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, highlighted the system's efficiency, noting that the internet connection used to send the video from Palomar to JPL was slower than the signal from deep space.

The achievement has a historical connection to early television test broadcast transmissions that featured a small statue of the famous cartoon character Felix the Cat beginning in 1928.

"When we achieved first light, we were excited, but also cautious. This is a new technology, and we are experimenting with how it works," said Ken Andrews, project flight operations lead at JPL.

"But now, with the help of our Psyche colleagues, we are getting used to working with the system and can lock onto the spacecraft and ground terminals for longer than we could previously. We are learning something new during each checkout," he added.