NASA achieved a stunning feat, sending a high-definition video of a cat chasing a laser to Earth from an astounding 19 million miles away! This playful experiment, part of the Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) project, showcases humanity’s potential in deep space communications, using a beloved internet classic: a cat video.
On December 11, Taters the cat, the star of the NASA Cat Video, became a symbol of cutting-edge space technology. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) used a flight laser transceiver aboard the Psyche spacecraft, currently en route to the metal-rich asteroid 16 Psyche. The spacecraft, which launched atop a SpaceX Falcon Heavy on October 13, transmitted Taters’ laser-chasing antics via near-infrared laser light directly to the Hale Telescope at Caltech’s Palomar Observatory.
Transfer speed record achieved
In just 101 seconds, the video traveled the enormous distance to Earth, transmitting at an impressive 267 Mbps. This speed outpaces average broadband speeds in the United States, which hover around 219 Mbps. For perspective, JPL’s team noted that the data transfer from Palomar to JPL via the internet was slower than the deep-space transmission itself, highlighting the DSOC technology’s impressive capability.
The significance of this achievement extends beyond entertainment. NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy emphasized that this technology marks a turning point for future deep space missions. “Boosting our data bandwidth is essential for our scientific and exploration goals. This technology will change how we communicate with spacecraft on interplanetary missions,” Melroy stated.
NASA's Europa Clipper spacecraft, scheduled to launch today, had to be postponed due to Hurricane Milton.
The Psyche mission’s path includes a Mars flyby in 2026 before it targets its ultimate destination, 16 Psyche, in 2029. But beyond these mission milestones, this cat video demonstration reflects a milestone in deep space communications. The JPL team managed to transmit a high-definition video, pushing DSOC technology toward its goal of enabling real-time, high-bandwidth data transfers across vast cosmic distances.
In the meantime, Taters the cat captures the hearts of Earth and stands as a reminder that even deep-space engineering can have a light-hearted touch.
