Optical on Orion Artemis II (O2O Flight)

Active TRL 6 (started at 6, targeting 8)

Description

Implement optical comm starting with demonstrations of operational utility onboard Orion Artemis II.

Optical Communications Operational Utility

As a parallel link to S-Band, OpCom can offload S-Band throughput challenges and potentially DSN loading as well
50 to 100x faster than S-Band, OpCom operates in parallel offloading the demands on S-Band data volume throughput. S-Band can focus on downlink of VPU data while OpCom focuses on Imagery, Video, Files
The Artemis II mission closes without OpCom - yet with OpCom operational, potential loss of or overwriting stored data is unlikely. Directly addresses Artemis I downlink challenges
Provides real-time video from Camera Controllers (CC) and 4K/HD Encoder Crew Conferences, Public Affairs Events, Two-way Video
Downlinks recorded data, Downlink Rates: 20, 40, 80, 260Mbps
Camera Controller direct CFDP
PCD Swordfish, and potential relay of CC files
Download all CC files
Uplink Rates: 10 and 20 Mbps

Benefits

Demonstrate end to end, two way optical communication performance metrics via Orion in lunar orbit.
Gbps data rates.
HD video from lunar distance.

Laser communications systems, like O2O, provide missions with increased data rates, meaning they can send and receive more information in a single transmission compared to traditional radio wave systems, which most NASA missions use today. More data means more discoveries.

At 260 megabits per second, O2O is capable of sending down 4K high-definition video from the Moon,” said Steve Horowitz, O2O project manager. In addition to video, O2O will transmit and receive procedures, pictures, flight plans, and be a link between Orion and mission control on Earth.

Details

Technology area	Communications, Navigation, and Orbital Debris Tracking and Characterization Systems
Program	Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN)
Lead organization	Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
Start date	2019-06-01
End date	2026-09-30

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

Marie T Piasecki — marie.t.piasecki@nasa.gov

How to get involved

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.