Would it help at all to signal over RF to a low-orbit relay, and then go optical just between two points in space? Much less atmosphere to contend with...
NASA Laser Communication System Sets Record with Transmissions to and from Moon
81–84 of 84 posts
Re: NASA Laser Communication System Sets Record with Transmissions to and from Moon
#82Earlier quoted context omitted.
The end of that had me in tears. I think I like the "what-if" section more than the comics! Gems like Unfortunately, the laser energy flow would turn the atmosphere to plasma, instantly igniting the Earth’s surface and killing us all. and another article It's a shame humans wouldn't live this long, because at this point, something really neat would happen.
That one links to this: http://what-if.xkcd.com/8/ which devolves into a hilarious analysis of 'how to get 7 billion people out of Rhode Island'.
I remember reading that one and the hilarious part is, it is not how it is supposed to start off.
He seems at first disappointed other sites have attempted to answer the original question, so in his own wonderful style he tries to solve the other weird engineering aspects of it.
He seems cut from some of the same cloth as Douglas Adams but with advanced math knowledge.
Re: NASA Laser Communication System Sets Record with Transmissions to and from Moon
#83The latency must be huge though.
The latency is sufficient that you could actually use space as a data storage medium. At 622Mbps there is 1,596Mb in transit at any given time.
Re: NASA Laser Communication System Sets Record with Transmissions to and from Moon
#84Earlier quoted context omitted.
That one links to this: http://what-if.xkcd.com/8/ which devolves into a hilarious analysis of 'how to get 7 billion people out of Rhode Island'.
I remember reading that one and the hilarious part is, it is not how it is supposed to start off. He seems at first disappointed other sites have attempted to answer the original question, so in his own wonderful style he tries to solve the other weird engineering aspects of it. He seems cut from some of the same cloth as Douglas Adams but with advanced math knowledge.
Agreed, he must be one of the 10 most creative people on earth.