NASA streams 4K video from plane to space station and back via laser for 1st time - YouTube - Space.com

NASA advanced technology:For the first time,a NASA Pilatus PC-12 aircraft with a portable laser transmitter transmitted 4K video from the aircraft to the ISS and back.Laser communications use infrared light to transmit 10-100 more data faster than radio frequency systems,according to NASA.This is especially important for crewed deep space missions to the Moon and Mars.*Text by Space.com and edited by Andrew Taylor

This Thruster can Propel a Spacecraft Almost Indefinitely - Science Channel - physics

An ion thruster engine has been chosen to propel the NASA/ESA Gateway space station in lunar orbit.

NASA Solicits Industry for Gateway Project - commercial and international effort

On 21 June 2018,NASA issued a draft solicitation by way of a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for proposals for the first element of the Gateway project.The Gateway is basically a small space station,most recently referred to as the Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway.Built with commercial and international partners,it will support robotic and human exploration of the Moon and beyond,including Mars,in accordance with Space Policy Directive 1.*
The draft solicitation seeks proposals for the first element of the Gateway,which is to be a high power,solar electric propulsion (SEP) spacecraft to maintain the Gateway's position in space and move it between lunar orbits as needed,NASA said.It will also power the Gateway's controls and communications.Industry's response to the draft will facilitate the issuance of a final solicitation later this summer.The current target date for the launch of this power and propulsion element by a commercial rocket is 2022.
In addition to the draft,an Industry Day has been scheduled for 10 July 2018 at the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland,Ohio.
The SEP spacecraft is to enable the high rate,reliable communications between Earth and deep space that are critical for deep space spacewalks and human exploration of celestial bodies such as the Moon and Mars.*
Since 2016,companies have been developing prospective habitation elements for deep space exploration in the Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP) programme.Five of the firms are developing complete Gateway concepts.*
Jason Crusan is director for Advanced Exploration Systems at NASA headquarters in Washington.