Using technology developed at MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory, the Artemis II astronauts are using lasers to send high-resolution video and images back to Earth, reports Hanna Ali for WBUR. Bryan Robinson, the leader of the Lincoln Laboratory Optical and Quantum Communications Group, explained that laser beams allow them to direct more energy at a target receiver. In other words, "you can communicate at higher data rates," Robinson said.
MassLive reporter John Micek writes about how the Artemis II astronauts are using optical communications technology developed at MIT Lincoln Laboratory to send high-resolution video and images of the lunar surface back to Earth.
The stunning images of the moon and Earth being shared by the Artemis II crew have been made possible thanks to new optical communications technology developed by researchers at MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory, reports Emily Maher for WCVB-TV. "It was just awe-inspiring to think humans haven't seen the Earth from pole-to-pole in over 50 years, and being part of helping to make that happen is very cool," said Corrie Smeaton, associate group leader of the Optical Engineering Group at Lincoln Lab.
Artemis II features laser communication technology developed by researchers at MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory, reports Mary Salanda for WCVB. “Known as the O2O, the Orion Artemis II Optical Communications System is mounted on the spacecraft and features a 4-inch telescope that relies on lasers to quickly transmit images from space, including from the far side of the moon.”
A new laser communication system developed by a team from MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory is aboard NASA’s Artemis II mission to the moon, reports Nick Stoico and Hannah Goeke for The Boston Globe. “It’s a culmination of a huge effort by a lot of people,” says Lincoln Lab Group Leader Bryan Robinson. “We’ve been waiting until now to get it off the ground.”
Onboard NASA’s Artemis II mission is an optical (laser) communication system developed by researchers from MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory , reports Steph Solis for Axios. The spacecraft will carry “an optical communication system that can produce 4K video in space during the roughly 10-day flight,” explains Solis.
Associated Press reporter Bernie Wilson spotlights Christina “Chris” Birch PhD '15 and her quest to reach outer space after conquering many miles as a competitive cyclist. “Birch’s resume is staggering,” Wilson notes. “In cycling, she has 11 national championships as well as multiple Pan American and World Cup medals. She has degrees in mathematics, biochemistry and molecular biophysics, and a doctorate in biological engineering from MIT.” Of her outer space aspirations, Birch explains: “While I would love to be a scientist on the moon, doing research, collecting samples, just to be a part of our return to the moon would be incredible, because we are asking such interesting scientific questions.”
NASA astronaut Christopher Williams PhD '12 shares his excitement over the upcoming solar eclipse with Space.com Elizabeth Howell, noting he is most excited that the celestial event will provide unique views of the sun’s outer atmosphere. Williams previously conducted radio astronomy research and helped build the Murchison Widefield Array in Australia during his time at MIT. "It was an incredible experience, because I got to both work on the cosmology and the science behind that,” recalls Williams.
Jasmin Moghbeli '05 is the mission commander for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-7 mission to the International Space Station, reports Russ Reed for WCVB-TV. “This marked Moghbeli's first trip into space since she was selected to be a NASA astronaut in 2017,” writes Reed. “Belief in yourself is something really powerful,” Moghbeli said before the flight.
Jasmin Moghbeli '05 is serving as mission commander on the SpaceX Crew-7 mission to the International Space Station, which includes astronauts from 4 different countries, reports Jackie Wattles for CNN. “We are extremely proud — and I know I personally am humbled — to be a member of this incredible crew, where if you look at our four patches you’ll see a different nation’s flag on each one,” Moghbeli said of the flag patches adorning the astronauts’ suits. “We hope this represents what we can accomplish when we work together in unity and cooperate together. And we think this really is what the International Space Station is all about.”
For Jasmin Moghbeli ’05, who is serving as mission commander for the SpaceX Crew-7 journey to the International Space Station, the mission is about “determination, exploration and inspiration, especially to the next generation of girls like her twin daughters," reports Mark Strassmann for CBS News. Moghbeli notes that when her daughters see “the diverse crews that are going up there, they realize they can be part of this, whether it's becoming an astronaut or something else. They realize they can do it as well."
Lt. Col. Jasmin Moghbeli ‘05 will be commanding the SpaceX Crew 7 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), reports Jennifer McLogan. Moghbeli returned to her elementary school to share her journey with students.
Daily Beast reporter Meredith Bagby spotlights the life of Ron McNair PhD ’76 and his legacy as one of NASA’s first black astronauts. “Astronaut, saxophonist, and karate black belt Ron McNair overcame an impoverished childhood in segregated Lake City, South Carolina to earn a Ph.D. in physics from MIT and become one of NASA’s first Black astronauts,” writes Bagby. “Although Ron’s path to NASA was nearly derailed because of systematic racism and inequality, he found inspiration in the Black leaders around him and persevered.”
Ronald McNair PhD ’76 was a part of NASA’s class of 1978, which was the first group of astronauts to include women, people of color, and scientists, reports Alexandra Witze for Nature. The class of 1978 “was a time of huge change for NASA,” writes Witze. “It was time for a new type of astronaut for a new type of spaceship.”
NASA astronaut Raja Chari SM ’01 and European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Matthias Maurer performed a spacewalk to help maintain the crucial cooling systems aboard the International Space Station (ISS), reports Ed Browne for Newsweek. “Spacewalks are an important part of life on the space station,” writes Browne. “Also called an extravehicular activity (EVA), a spacewalk is when an astronaut or cosmonaut gets out of the ISS whilst wearing a pressurized and oxygenated space suit that protects them from the vacuum of space.”