Integrated Lasercomm LEO User Modem Amplifier - Terminal (ILLUMA-T) on International Space Station (ISS) (ILLUMA-T on ISS)
Project Introduction
NASA has invested in advancing free space optical communications technologies to meet the ever-greater data demands for science and human exploration missions, to cultivate a robust commercial optical communications industrial base, and to enable optical communications technology diffusion for widespread commercial applications. The Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) is NASA's first optical communications relay satellite. LCRD will be stationed in geosynchronous orbit and is designed achieve data links to the ground or low-Earth orbit (LEO) users from 2 Mbps up to 2.88 Gbps. However, optical communications user terminals are required for LEO user missions to use optical communications services. NASA SCaN is developing the Integrated Lasercomm LEO User Modem Amplifier – Terminal (ILLUMA-T) for LEO mission users, with an initial demonstration from the International Space Station (ISS) in early 2022.
More »Anticipated Benefits
Free-space optical communications will enable unprecedented data rates for NASA missions, enabling new scientific and exploration discoveries. Additionally, free-space optical communications capabilities are anticipated to have widespread commercial applications. ILLUMA-T leverages the investments NASA has made in LCRD and cultivates a commercial industrial base towards the goal of widespread commercialization of free-space optical communications.
More »Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
Goddard Space Flight Center
(GSFC)
|
Lead Organization | NASA Center | Greenbelt, Maryland |
Johnson Space Center
(JSC)
|
Supporting Organization | NASA Center | Houston, Texas |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory (MIT-LL) | Supporting Organization | R&D Center | Lexington, Massachusetts |
|
NASA Headquarters
(HQ)
|
Supporting Organization | NASA Center | Washington, District of Columbia |
|
White Sands Test Facility
(WSTF)
|
Supporting Organization | NASA Facility | Las Cruces, New Mexico |
Primary U.S. Work Locations
-
District of Columbia
-
Maryland
-
Massachusetts
-
New Mexico
-
Texas
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Organizational Responsibility
Responsible Mission Directorate:
- Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD)
Lead Center / Facility:
- Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC)
Responsible Program:
- Space Communications and Navigation Program
Project Management
Program Director:
Program Manager:
Project Manager:
Principal Investigator:
Project Duration
Technology Maturity (TRL)
| Start: | 3 |
| Current: | 5 |
| Estimated End: | 8 |
Technology Areas
Primary:
- TX05 Communications, Navigation, and Orbital Debris Tracking and Characterization Systems
- TX05.1 Optical Communications
- TX05.1.6 Optimetrics
Target Destination
