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NASA's Psyche Mission Breaks Data Transfer Records

10/2/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) downlinked 15 terabits from NASA's Psyche Mission, 300 million miles away.
Laser communications can exceed radio data rates.
Psyche streamed UHD video at 267 Mbps from over 19 million miles away, with 65 laser transmissions totaling 13.6 TB.
Challenges include beam accuracy and atmospheric interference. Future missions may rely on space-based relays to improve reliability.

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Story summary

Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) downlinked 15 terabits from NASA's Psyche Mission, 300 million miles away.
Laser communications can exceed radio data rates.
Psyche streamed UHD video at 267 Mbps from over 19 million miles away, with 65 laser transmissions totaling 13.6 TB.
Challenges include beam accuracy and atmospheric interference. Future missions may rely on space-based relays to improve reliability.