And an optical mission to test laser relay capabilities from earth geosynchronous (GEO) orbit will soon follow.

FORBES: Future Of NASA's Aging Deep Space Network Lies In X-Rays And Lasers

Going forward, the LLCD will play a vital part in NASA's 2017 Laser Communications Relay Demonstration, a key test of laser-based relay comms in future missions.

ENGADGET

The Laser Communications Relay Demonstration Project (LCRD) will follow with launch in late 2017 on a commercial Space Systems Loral spacecraft.

FORBES: Future Of NASA's Aging Deep Space Network Lies In X-Rays And Lasers