Back to the catalog
Spinoff story
Laserfax
A real-world story of NASA technology finding a life beyond the mission.
About this technology
Overview
Harris Electronics Systems, Inc. incorporated NASA's spacecraft antennas into the commercialization of Laserfax. Technician receives a photograph prepared by means of high speed, high resolution facsimile system via a laser beam that scans the photo being sent. Laser scanning data is converted to electrical signals and transmitted to news bureaus within the Associated Press Network via microwave radio or telephone lines. At the other end another laser sweeps reconverted imagery onto a special light sensitive dry silver paper. Paper is then heat processed to reproduce the photograph.