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Is a Laser Data Link 1.5 Million Kilometers Feasible?

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the keep-on-truckin dept.

An anonymous reader writes "On the Canary Islands last week, a team from Oerlikon Space demonstrated the feasibility of a laser link across a distance of 1.5 million kilometers for the first time ever. In the future, laser links like this one will be able to transmit data across huge distances through the universe far more rapidly and efficiently than is possible using conventional radio links today."

6 of 304 comments (clear)

  1. Aiming will be a major problem by Constantine+XVI · · Score: 1, Redundant

    One of the biggest problems we'll run into with this is aiming the beam between the sender/reciever. 1.5Mil Kilometers is already enough of a distance, but we also have to keep in mind the fact that both ends will likely be in constant motion.

    --
    "I think an etch-a-sketch with an ethernet port would beat IE7 in web standards compliance."
  2. The horror... by SlipperHat · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Space sharks with frikkin' laser beams! They use lasers not to kill, but to coordinate with other space sharks.

  3. Sharks! by PolyDwarf · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Where are the space sharks? We need them to help us with our laser issues!

  4. Canary Islands, eh... by Billosaur · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Aren't there sharks out there? Hmmmmmmmm....

    --
    GetOuttaMySpace - The Anti-Social Network
  5. Sharks? by pablo_max · · Score: 0, Redundant

    I seriously doubt that sharks can survive in space for too long, and even if they could..it's exceedingly doubtful they would hold still enough to transmit data in this way. Get real.

  6. Re:Never saw this coming by GigG · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Just as long as they don't mount them on sharks.

    --
    Is buying a Harley Davidson as your first motorcycle since you were 16 at age 49 a midlife crisis issue?