Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD), illustration. The LCRD (lower right) will demonstrate laser communications to support future missions to the Moon and beyond. Laser communications will enable better data rates and allow communications systems to become smaller, lighter, and more efficient. LCRD will relay data between the International Space Station and the ground. This will be the first operational use of laser communications at NASA. LCRD will send data to, and receive data from, an optical communications instrument called the Integrated LCRD Low-Earth Orbit User Modem and Amplifier Terminal (ILLUMA-T). Image published in 2018.