NASA Glenn's Flight Operations used a Pilatus PC-12 NG aircraft in a 2024 optical communications study that transmitted large volumes of data via laser communications, including streaming 4K video to the International Space Station and back for the first time.

Key Details

• The study used NASA Glenn's Pilatus PC-12 NG aircraft.
• The team streamed 4K video footage from the aircraft to the International Space Station and back using optical, or laser, communications for the first time.
• The mission contributed to NASA's broader effort to advance optical communications for future missions.

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