In a remarkable feat for Greek science, the National Observatory of Athens (NOA) has successfully established a laser communication link with a spacecraft located an remarkable 300 million kilometers away. this achievement marks the deepest broadband laser connection ever recorded in space, as reported by kathimerini.

The groundbreaking test took place at the Kryoneri Observatory in the Corinth region. This pioneering effort was a collaborative venture involving the NOA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and NASA. A laser signal was transmitted to NASA’s Psyche spacecraft, which is currently on its journey to Mars.

The signal, traveling at the speed of light, took approximately 16 minutes to reach the spacecraft. It required another 16 minutes for the return signal to be detected by the advanced telescope at the Helmos Observatory.

“This is a groundbreaking experiment and a national distinction,” stated NOA President Spyros Vasilakos. He emphasized that this success is the culmination of four years of dedicated effort and strategic collaboration with the ESA.

This test is a crucial part of ESA’s and NASA’s larger initiative to transform deep-space communication. The agencies are actively moving away from conventional radio methods towards high-capacity optical systems.

For Greece, this success represents a significant advancement in its role within global space research. It positions the nation at the forefront of Europe’s ambitions in space-based laser communication technologies.

“There are moments that move you deeply,” Vasilakos added, “because you witness a grate leap forward.” This technology promises much faster and more efficient data transmission across the vast distances of our solar system.