During the Artemis II mission, astronauts transmitted low-definition videos from both inside the spacecraft and exterior views of the Moon. While exciting, these visuals did not meet the high-definition standards we expect today.
The Orion spacecraft primarily used radio waves for communication, a method reminiscent of the Apollo missions from over fifty years ago. However, in a significant advancement, the crew also sent high-resolution images, including breathtaking photos of the Moon's far side and a Solar eclipse.
This leap in communication technology is attributed to optical laser systems, with contributions from commercial partners, enabling a greater volume of data to be transmitted from space back to Earth.