Answer:
NASA is exploring higher frequency light sources to beam messages more efficiently. Electromagnetic radiation spans a wide range of frequencies and energies, but only specific bands are useful for communication to and from space. High-frequency x-rays would be dangerous; microwave signals are absorbed by the atmosphere; low-frequency radio waves are less effective at transmitting information and require large, ungainly antennas. Currently, NASA relies primarily on radio waves for communications, but the agency is developing ways to communicate with infrared lasers. This type of transmission, dubbed optical communications, will offer missions higher data rates than ever before.