Ultra Compact Cloud Physics Lidar for UAV Platforms, Phase I

We propose a compact two color, polarization sensitive instrument to measure cloud characteristics from high altitude UAV and can also be widely deployed as inexpensive ground based ceilometers and aerosol finders. The instrument will be modular, can operate with one or two wavelengths, and can measure depolarization or not depending on the need. The instrument is expected to be in two boxes, an optics box and an electronics box, each about half a cubic foot in size. If desired, the two boxes can be attached for a single box solution. Fiber optical technology will be used to minimize critical optical alignments and permit field replacement of the laser and detectors. Micro-optic fiber components will be used to separate the colors before detection.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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