Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) Overview

The Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) will fly as a hosted payload aboard a Department of Defense spacecraft as part of the Space Test Program (STP-3) mission. LCRD will continue NASA's exploration of laser communications to support future missions to the Moon and beyond. Laser communications will enable better data rates, making possible new capabilities such as 4K ultra-high-definition streaming from beyond Earth orbit. It will also allow communications systems to become smaller, lighter, and more efficient. LCRD will demonstrate the technology over several years before laser communications becomes operational for future NASA missions. Music: "Time Shift Equalibrium," "Frames of Motion," "Inducing Waves," all via Universal Production Music Video credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Conceptual Image Lab Rich Melnick (KBRwyle): Lead Producer Brian Monroe (USRA): Lead Animator LK Ward (KBRwyle): Narration Rob Andreoli (AIMM): Videographer Aaron E. Lepsch (ADNET): Technical Support