An experimental antenna has received both radio frequency and laser signals from NASA’s Psyche spacecraft

An experimental antenna has received both radio frequency and near-infrared laser signals from NASA ’s Psyche spacecraft as it travels through deep space.

The 34-meter ( 112-foot ) radio-frequency-optical-hybrid antenna, called Deep Space Station 13 , has tracked the downlink laser from the Deep Space Optical Communications ( DSOC ) technology demonstration since November 2023 .

In late 2023 , the hybrid antenna downlinked data from 20 million miles ( 32 million kilometers ) away at a rate of 15.63 megabits per second .

DSOC is the latest in a series of optical communication demonstrations funded by NASA ’s Technology Demonstration Missions ( TDM ) program.

JPL manages DSOC for TDM and SCaN within the agency's Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN ) program..