The American space agency NASA has completed a new experiment that sent data over 226 million kilometers in space.

美国航天局NASA完成了一项新的实验，该实验向2.26亿公里的太空中发送数据。

The result marks a major improvement over previous tests that measured data transfers over 31 million kilometers.

这一结果标志着与之前测量数据传输超过3100万公里的测试相比有了重大改进

The method is known as Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC).

这种方法被称为深空光通信(DSOC)。

The high-speed transfer technology uses lasers to send large data files over very long distances.

这种高速传输技术使用激光在非常远的距离上发送大型数据文件。

NASA is looking to the method to improve, or upgrade, existing communication technology.

NASA正在寻找改进或升级现有通信技术的方法。

Traditionally, NASA has depended on radio communications to send data back and forth through space.

传统上，NASA一直依靠无线电通信在太空中来回发送数据。

But this method has a limited bandwidth, meaning at a certain point the system can no longer effectively process data.

但这种方法宽带有限，这意味着在某个点上，系统不再能有效地处理数据。

So, the agency is seeking to use the new method to support new technologies and planned trips to the moon and other places.

因此，该机构正在寻求使用新方法来支持新技术和计划中的月球和其他地方旅行。

NASA officials say the DSOC system will be able to transfer huge amounts of science data through space.

NASA官员表示，DSOC系统将能够通过太空传输大量科学数据。

This is especially needed for large data files, as well as high-quality images and videos sent from space.

对于大数据文件以及从太空发送的高质量图像和视频，这一点尤其需要。

The DSOC system is based on laser technology.

DSOC系统是基于激光技术的。

Laser communications are also known as optical communications.

激光通信也称为光通信。

NASA explains that the technology will permit "up to 100 times more data" to be sent back to Earth than current radio wave systems.

NASA解释说，这项技术将允许发送回地球的数据比目前的无线电波系统多出100倍。

"Much like fiber optics replacing old telephone lines on Earth as demand for data grows, going from radio communications to laser, or optical, communications will allow increased data rates throughout the solar system," NASA said in a statement.

NASA在一份声明中说：“就像随着数据需求的增长，光纤取代了地球上的旧电话线一样，从无线电通信到激光或光学通信，通信将使整个太阳系的数据率提高。”

NASA said the laser system works with signals that exist at near-infrared wavelengths.

NASA表示，激光系统使用的是近红外波长的信号。

Data transferred by laser takes the form of bits – the smallest pieces of data a computer can process.

激光传输的数据采用比特的形式，这是计算机可以处理的最小数据片段。

These bits are contained within the laser's photons.

这些比特包含在激光器的光子中。

NASA is testing the DSOC on its Psyche spacecraft.

美国国家航空航天局正在其普赛克宇宙飞船上测试DSOC。

Psyche was launched in October 2023 on its way to observe a mostly metal asteroid.

普赛克于2023年10月发射升空，当时它正在观测一颗以金属为主的小行星。

The experiments involved a device aboard Psyche.

这些实验涉及到普赛克号上的一个装置。

It was able to send data to and receive data from a telescope in California.

它能够向加利福尼亚州的望远镜发送数据和从望远镜接收数据。

The agency estimates it would take about nine weeks to transmit a complete map of Mars back to Earth with current radio frequency systems.

该机构估计，用目前的无线电频率系统将一张完整的火星地图传回地球需要大约九周的时间。

But with a laser-based method, the time would be cut to nine days.

但使用基于激光的方法，时间将缩短到9天。

Also, laser communications equipment is smaller and requires less energy.

此外，激光通信设备更小，需要的能源更少。

Laser-based communication has already been demonstrated in low Earth orbit and on the moon.

基于激光的通信已经在近地轨道和月球上得到了演示。

But the research team working on the DSOC project said this is the first time the method has been successfully tested in deep space.

但参与DSOC项目的研究团队表示，这是该方法首次在深空成功测试。

Meera Srinivasan is a project leader at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California.

米拉·斯里尼瓦桑是美国国家航空航天局南加州喷气推进实验室的项目负责人。

She said in a statement the system was able to transfer about 10 minutes of data during an experiment on April 8.

她在一份声明中说，在4月8日的一次实验中，该系统能够传输大约10分钟的数据。

Srinivasan said the result represented an important new "milestone" for the project.

斯里尼瓦桑说，这一结果代表着该项目的一个重要的新“里程碑”。

The asteroid Psyche is traveling to is also called Psyche.

普赛克正在前往的小行星也被称为普赛克。

It is believed to be made mostly of metal.

据信它主要是由金属制成的。

NASA expects the spacecraft to travel about 3.6 million kilometers over six years to reach the asteroid.

NASA预计，航天器将在六年内飞行约360万公里，到达小行星。

Developers of the system say when Psyche is at its farthest point from our planet, the DSOC system's photons will take about 20 minutes to travel back to Earth.

该系统的开发人员说，当普赛克处于离我们星球最远的地方时，DSOC系统的光子将需要大约20分钟才能返回地球。

I'm Bryan Lynn

我是布莱恩·林恩