Laser Communications

We develop, build, and operate prototype space and airborne laser communication (lasercom) terminals. The technology developed and the lessons learned from these activities are transferred to external partners through participation in standards groups and through the operation of a gold-standard test infrastructure. Our major efforts include demonstration of a high-performance airborne lasercom terminal, design of lasercom interoperability standards, development of a test capability to validate interoperability among various contractor-produced terminals, and investigation into techniques to enable multiple simultaneous lasercom links through a single aperture.

A schematic showing optical ground terminals and satellites transmitting data via lasercom links across the Earth and to the Moon.

laser communications

Guiding Light in Air-Filled Fibers for Long-Distance Lasercom

A new type of fiber could transmit the high-power light needed for future deep-space science and exploration missions.

A rendition of a communications payload on its spacecraft host, with laser links over the Earth connecting Hawaii and California.

laser communications

Laser Communications Relay Demonstration

Optical communications technologies decades in the making at Lincoln Laboratory were transferred to NASA for its first two-way laser relay communications system.

Two people talk at a poster presentation session.

Lincoln Laboratory hosts 14th annual Communications Workshop

Aug 19

A person with a protective gown and gloves holds a large wafer of integrated circuits. the wafer is vividly multicolored.

Awards

MIT Lincoln Laboratory wins nine R&D 100 Awards

Nov 2

U.S. Naval Academy midshipman Emma Chesire worked on the Integrated Ka-band Radar Instrumentation System.

Military interns learn value of technology research and development

Oct 11

More News

I wanted a change in job environment, and the Laboratory offers that sweet spot between academia and industry.

Khusbu Patel

Senior Business Manager

Communication Systems

Laser Communications

There's something inherently beautiful about manipulating light to transfer information through space, and it brings me joy to apply these elegant fundamental concepts to important applications.

Jenny Sun

Lasercom Engineer

Communication Systems

Laser Communications

Space — and space technology — inspires me.

Shankar Ramakrishnan

Systems Architect

Communication Systems

Laser Communications

A portrait photograph of Shankar Ramakrishnan.

As someone focused on the implementation side, I can make hardware platforms run and bits toggle all day long, but that work is most rewarding when I know it's in service of a technologically valuable mission.