With the Mbps rate recently achieved by NASA in transmitting data from Earth to the moon, one could buy a full-length movie on the Internet, download it and be watching it within a minute.

NASA recently used its Lunar Laser Communication Demonstration (LLCD) to transmit data via pulsed laser beam over the 239,000-mile distance between the Earth and moon. According to a press release, the download rate was a record-breaking 622 megabits per second (Mbps).

"LLCD is the first step on our roadmap toward building the next generation of space communication capability," said Badri Younes, NASA's deputy associate administrator for space communications and navigation (SCaN) in Washington. "We are encouraged by the results of the demonstration to this point, and we are confident we are on the right path to introduce this new capability into operational service soon."

LLCD also signifies the first time NASA has not used it radio wave communication for transmitting data from space. As the need for faster download rates, laser communication becomes more necessary. The new technology will allow for perks like higher image resolution and 3-D imaging and videos.

"The goal of LLCD is to validate and build confidence in this technology so that future missions will consider using it," said Don Cornwell, LLCD manager at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. "This unique ability developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Lincoln Laboratory has incredible application possibilities."

The LLCD was equipped aboard NASA's Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE), launched successfully in September. LADEE will gather information on strange space dust that appears to glow on its own and other questions surrounding the lunar surface.

LLCD is also a precursor to NASA's Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD), which will launch in 2017. LCRD will attempt to achieve precision laser cutting technology in space.

LADEE is investigating moon dust that Apollo 17 astronauts said would stick to their boots and equipment like talcum powder. They also said it glowed on its own, which lead NASA scientists to use LADEE to investigate the lunar atmosphere.