NASA has developed a groundbreaking light-based modem that could make communications between Earth and space up to 100-times faster.
The laser-powered device will be tested on board the International Space Station in 2020, and could one day replace the existing radio communications system that's been in place since 1957.
Only two frequency ranges are capable of transmitting across the Earth's atmosphere: radio and a narrow band of visible light which NASA is now exploring.
The first ever modem featuring integrated-photonics is "potentially revolutionary", according to a report in the Goddard Space Flight Centre newsletter.
It could offer data rates 10 to 100-times faster than radio, and the technology could one-day be used to provide super-fast connections on Earth.
An experiment with laser communications in 2013 allowed NASA to achieve a download speed of 622Mbps per second.
But it was a one-off trial of an experimental technology, whereas the new modem system will become the ongoing operational system for spacecraft communications.
The technology - called Integrated LCRD Low-Earth Orbit User Modem and Amplifier - could produce speeds of up to one gigabit per second.
That's around 40-times faster than the average UK internet speeds.
The modem's developer, Mike Krainak, said: "We've pushed this for a long time.
"The technology will simplify optical-system design. It will reduce the size and power consumption of optical devices, and improve reliability, all while enabling new functions from a lower-cost system.
"Google, Facebook, they're all starting to look at this technology.
"As integrated photonics progresses to be more cost effective than fiber optics, it will be used. Everything is headed this way."
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