[2] Future human expeditions may require a steady stream of high-definition imagery, live video feeds, and real-time data transmission across deep space to enable timely guidance and updates during the long-distance journeys.

New high-resolution hyperspectral imagers put further demands on their communications system, requiring even higher data rates.

The laser beams from the spacecraft will be received by the 200 inch (5 m) Hale Telescope at Palomar Observatory in California.

The system must correct for background noise (scattered light) from Earth's atmosphere and the Sun.

[9] The transmitted beam-width is inversely proportional to the frequency used, so the shorter the wavelength used, the narrower and more focused a beam can be made.