A Hybrid Approach: The Future Of Deep Space Telecommunications Using RF & Optical Lasers

One of the biggest challenges of deep space telecommunications to locations like Mars and beyond is maintaining the extreme reliability and versatility to accommodate such deep space travel. As humans enter the new frontier of deep space exploration, faster more reliable communications with Earth are of the utmost importance. For the past 63 years, NASA has used radio frequency (RF) to communicate with satellites, telescopes and astronauts aboard a spacecraft. As the Mars 2030 missions quickly approach and using the Artemis Missions as a precursor, I set out to examine how deep space communications can be optimized. Currently, it takes approximately 3 - 22 minutes for Earth to communicate with Mars. The focus of my research will center on how we can reduce the relay time by fifty percent, using optical lasers. Laser telecommunications offers many known and future advantages for deep space travel, but still has obstacles and this research will also examine how I can overcome those challenges by using a hybrid approach.