NASA’s LADEE mission demonstrated two-way laser communication between the Moon and Earth in 2013.
LADEE, the Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer, launched in September 2013 and entered lunar orbit the following month. Its primary science mission examined the Moon’s extremely thin atmosphere, known as an exosphere, and investigated lunar dust near the surface.
The spacecraft also carried the Lunar Laser Communication Demonstration. In October 2013, the experiment transmitted data between LADEE and ground stations using laser beams rather than conventional radio signals. It achieved much higher data rates than typical deep-space radio communication while testing technology that could support future missions.
Laser communication requires accurate pointing and can be interrupted by clouds or other obstructions. LADEE ended with a planned impact on the lunar surface on April 18, 2014. Its demonstration helped advance optical communications for exploration beyond Earth orbit.