EL7.AI
StocksUpdated•Originally published 16 April 2026•Updated 17 April 2026•
1 min read

AeroVironment Laser Technology Powers NASA's Artemis II Communications

Key Facts

1AeroVironment provided precision pointing hardware for the Orion Artemis II Optical Communications System (O2O) on NASA's Artemis II mission.
2The technology included a two-axis gimbal and fast steering mirrors to enable high-resolution video transmission via laser.

AeroVironment (AVAV) announced that its hardware successfully enabled ultra-precise laser aiming for high-speed data transmission during NASA's Artemis II mission, as the Orion spacecraft 'Integrity' began its return journey on April 7. The spacecraft reached a peak altitude of 252,756 miles from Earth before departing lunar space, with AVAV’s two-axis gimbal and fast steering mirrors ensuring signal stability throughout the flight. A splashdown is scheduled for April 10 in the Pacific Ocean, with the recovery ship USS John P Murtha already deployed to meet the crew. This operational milestone reinforces AeroVironment's credentials in high-growth aerospace sectors by validating its advanced electro-optical capabilities in deep space. Investors view the technical success of the Orion Optical Communications System as a critical validation of AVAV’s role in future space exploration. The mission's transition to the recovery phase marks a successful field test for the company's next-generation communication hardware.