Artemis II will use laser beams in giant leap for space video new optical tech will stream '4K high-definition video from the Moon'

Date:
Fri, 03 Apr 2026 10:30:00 +0000

Description:
As the Artemis II mission continues towards the moon, we should be treated to some high-def video soon.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Tech Radar Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Become a Member in Seconds Unlock instant access to exclusive member
features. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting
your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. You are now subscribed Your newsletter sign-up was successful Join the club Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards. Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in. Subscribe to our newsletter The Artemis II crew are on the way to the moon Their Orion spacecraft is fitted with 4K laser communications High-definition video feeds should be possible We've already seen the crew of the Artemis II chuck around iPhones in space and have trouble accessing their Outlook accounts , and when they finally
make it to the moon's orbit we should be treated to some high-resolution 4K footage of the lunar surface.

The astronauts are flying by the moon rather than landing on it, but thanks
to laser technology developed in part by the MIT Lincoln Laboratory (via the BBC Sky at Night Magazine ), they have best-in-class tech for reporting back. Space missions have traditionally used radio frequency (RF) communications, but the spectrums it uses are now highly congested, and it's no longer the best technology we have for beaming data across large distances (to the moon and back, for instance). Article continues below You may like Smartphones in space the Artemis II crew are throwing an iPhone around in zero gravity Even the Artemis II astronauts aren't immune to Microsoft software glitches Get ready for out of this world selfies - NASA says astronauts can now take their own phones with them to space

"Laser communication is a solution that could solve this problem, and the laboratory is an expert in the field, which was really pioneered here," says Farzana Khatri, a lead systems engineer at the MIT Lincoln Laboratory. The moon in the UK Im the space plumber, Im proud to call myself the space plumber.Mission specialists like @Astro_Christina train for all roles so they can jump in wherever theyre needed. Sometimes that means fixing vital machinery, like the spacecraft toilet. pic.twitter.com/RGBWkwRgX7 April 3, 2026 If everything goes according to plan, we should be able to enjoy "high-definition video from the moon" over the next few days. Think something of a similar quality to a premium Netflix feed, only of the actual moon
rather than a middling sci-fi movie.

The system in use is the Orion Artemis II Optical Communications System
(O2O), and it comprises several complex instruments, including a gimbal-mounted telescope that can direct laser beams back to base at NASA.

"You can imagine the Artemis astronauts using videoconferencing to connect with physicians, coordinate mission activities, and livestream their lunar trips," says Jane Wang, also on the team that developed the system. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

The actual capturing will be done by Nikon cameras that are included in the astronauts' kit. Besides sending back photos, audio, and video from the mission, the laser links will be able to transmit real time diagnostics reports to and from Orion. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!

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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/streaming/artemis-ii-will-use-laser-beams-in-giant-l eap-for-space-video-new-optical-tech-will-stream-4k-high-definition-video-from -the-moon


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