CACI Proudly Contributes Laser Communications and Sensing Technology to NASA’s Historic Artemis II Mission

Key Terms

optical communications technical

Optical communications is the use of light—typically sent through glass fibers or other optical pathways—to carry data and voice signals across distances. Think of it like sending tiny flashlight pulses down a tube instead of electrical currents through wires. Investors care because this technology is the backbone of high‑speed internet, cloud services and telecom networks; demand, cost improvements and new applications directly affect revenue growth and capital spending for companies in the sector.

sensing technologies technical

Sensing technologies are devices and systems that detect physical, chemical or biological signals—like a camera sees light, a thermometer reads temperature, or a sensor smells gas—and turn them into digital data. Investors care because these technologies enable products to monitor conditions, automate processes, improve safety, and create new data-driven services; strong sensing capabilities can drive revenue, reduce costs, and affect regulatory approval and market competitiveness.

optical communications modem module technical

An optical communications modem module is a compact device that converts electrical data into light signals and back again so information can travel over fiber-optic cables, acting like a translator between a server or switch and the glass fiber network. It matters to investors because demand for these modules tracks data traffic growth and network upgrades—strong sales can boost makers’ revenue and signal broader spending on telecom and cloud infrastructure, affecting component suppliers and telecom operators.

payload technical

Payload is the active substance or cargo carried by a delivery system — for example, the drug molecule attached to an antibody, the gene in a viral vector, or instruments aboard a satellite. Investors care because the payload determines the product’s therapeutic effect, safety profile, manufacturing complexity, regulatory hurdles and commercial value; like the contents of a sealed package, the delivery method matters, but the payload is what buyers ultimately want.

precision pointing technical

Precision pointing is the ability of a device—such as an antenna, camera, sensor, or laser—to aim at a specific target with very high accuracy and stability. For investors, it matters because better pointing improves performance, reduces errors or service interruptions, and can be a key differentiator for products used in satellites, communications, defense, or medical imaging; like how a steady hand makes a camera photo sharper, it affects reliability and revenue potential.

laser transmission technical

Laser transmission is the use of a focused beam of light to send energy or data through a material or space, similar to using a flashlight to shine a signal along a path but with far greater precision and speed. Investors care because it underpins faster communications, higher-resolution sensing, and precise medical or manufacturing tools; advances can cut costs, open new markets, or trigger safety and regulatory reviews that affect company value.

ground station technical

A ground station is a land-based facility with antennas and equipment that sends commands to, receives data from, and tracks satellites or other space vehicles. For investors it matters because ground stations are the critical link that turns space assets into usable services—like a network of cell towers for satellites—so their location, capacity, reliability and regulatory status affect revenue potential, costs, coverage and business risk.

cryogenic-level sensing technical

Cryogenic-level sensing is the use of instruments designed to measure the presence, height, or changes of liquids or signals at extremely low temperatures (well below freezing). Think of it as a specialized float or thermometer that still works inside a deep freezer: these sensors are crucial for systems that rely on superconductors, quantum hardware, liquefied gases, or space equipment. For investors, such sensing affects product reliability, operating costs, safety and the commercial viability of technologies that must operate at very low temperatures.

RESTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- CACI International Inc (NYSE: CACI) announced today it has successfully enabled advanced optical communications and sensing technologies for NASA’s Artemis II mission, the first crewed flight of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft.

“Artemis II represents the strength of American innovation and the power of partnership across government, industry, and academia,” said John Mengucci, CACI President and Chief Executive Officer. “As a long-standing mission partner, CACI is honored to support NASA as it leads humanity back to the Moon, and our teams are proud to contribute technology that helps enable safe, reliable human spaceflight. This is how we expand the limits of national security every day.”

O2O: The Laser Link Connecting Artemis Astronauts to Earth in Real Time

Onboard the Artemis II Orion spacecraft is CACI’s optical communications modem module, developed in partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Lincoln Laboratory. CACI’s optical communications hardware, including the company’s bidirectional modem and amplifiers, is integrated into the Orion Artemis II Optical Communications System (O2O) payload. This payload integrates precision pointing, laser transmission, and onboard data-handling technologies representing historic advancements in deep-space communication efficiency. During the mission, O2O successfully delivered high-definition video and data from the lunar vicinity to Earth, establishing an optical link to a ground station, enabling a major milestone in next-generation space communications.

Separately, through its acquisition of ARKA Group, CACI also contributed critical cryogenic-level sensing technology to the SLS rocket. This hardware supports precise propellant-level measurement and helps enable engine shutdown determination during ascent, which is an essential function for crewed deep space missions.

“Our optical communications and sensing teams have spent years advancing technologies designed for the most demanding space environments,” said Andreas Nonnenmacher, CACI Senior Vice President, Space. “The success of Artemis II demonstrates what is possible when NASA and the industrial base unite around exploration, scientific discovery, and inspiration for future generations.”

CACI’s U.S.-based teams and American-made hardware are developed across the country, including in Danbury, Connecticut, and Florham Park, New Jersey, with additional employees in other innovation centers.

Learn more: https://www.caci.com/space

About CACI

CACI International Inc (NYSE: CACI) is a national security company with 27,000 talented employees who are Ever Vigilant in expanding the limits of national security. We ensure our customers’ success by delivering differentiated technology and distinctive expertise to accelerate innovation, drive speed and efficiency, and rapidly anticipate and eliminate threats. Our culture drives our success and earns us recognition as a Fortune World's Most Admired Company. We are members of the Fortune 500™, the Russell 1000 Index, and the S&P MidCap 400 Index. For more information, visit us at caci.com.

There are statements made herein which do not address historical facts and therefore could be interpreted to be forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are subject to factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated include, but are not limited to, the risk factors set forth in CACI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025, and other such filings that CACI makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Any forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied upon and only speak as of the date hereof.

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Corporate Communications and Media:
Gino Bona
Executive Vice President, Corporate Communications
(571) 597-2787, gino.bona@caci.com

Investor Relations:
George Price
Senior Vice President, Investor Relations
(703) 841-7818, george.price@caci.com

Source: CACI International Inc