NASA beams ‘Hello, World!’ video message from space via laser

(The Optical Payload for Lasercomm Science transmitter – Photo Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech)

For the first time ever, NASA have successfully beamed a high-definition video down to Earth from the International Space Station using a new laser communications transmitter. 

(The full Expedition 40 crew – Photo Credit: Oleg Artemyev/Roscosmos)

With the 3 newest arrivals safely on board the station, the now-complete Expedition 40 crew have a busy couple of months ahead of them. A wide range of science experiments, cargo arrivals and spacewalks (EVAs) are scheduled in the near future. Here is a brief overview of what the astronauts and cosmonauts will be accomplishing during their stay.