NASA recently carried out tests of the LLCD system (Image: ESA) - Gizmag

Space communications have relied on radio since the first Sputnik in 1957. It's a mature, reliable technology, but it's reaching its limits. The amount of data sent has increased exponentially for decades and NASA expects the trend to continue. The current communications systems are reaching their limits, so NASA and ESA are going beyond radio as a solution. As part of this effort, ESA has finished tests of part of a new communications system, in preparations for a demonstration in October in which it will receive a laser data download from a NASA lunar orbiter. « Back to NASA and ESA to communicate with lunar orbiter using lasers via Science - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNGXnC7nUDLj-WJzqzbuExJU8CmGtA&url=http://www.gizmag.com/lunar-laser-communication/28517/pictures

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