[Laser] Lunar downlink

[TWOSIG at aol.com]

I read with interest the comments by Charles Pooley, KD6HKU.
 
This may be too soon to suggest, but I am interested in knowing what sort  of 
a system would be needed for an optical downlink from the Moon to be received 
 at night by amateur astronomers on Earth, perhaps with the use of a six or  
eight inch Newtonian telescope, sensor and electronics to be purchased and 
built  by moderately skilled HAM radio operator.  Downlink modes to include at  
least: MCW 5 words per minute which should also be read as flashing light by  
eyeball, audio tone PSK-31, communication quality voice, and pictures.   Beam 
to be at least 1mR ( I think that means 240 miles at the Earth. ) and can  
track a single city for at least three hours.  Other operating modes, data  rates 
and daylight viewablity desirable.
 
That would seem to be a package worth building and getting to the  Moon.  
Seeing and receiving messages from space can surely inspire millions  of people 
world wide to learn about science and technology.  I can only  hope that it 
will help us all to care more our home planet, all of its peoples,  and its 
diverse forms of life.
 
 
Best Wishes
 
James
N5GUI