Common and Configurable Flash LIDAR Sensor for Space-Based Autonomous Landing, Rendezvous, and Docking Missions

Completed TRL 4 (started at 3, targeting 4)

Description

The Phase I program identified a feasible 320x320, 75um pitch, 60 Hz frame rate Flash LIDAR focal plane array (FPA) and High Energy Laser design configurations which have the ability able a space global shutter flash LIDAR camera which satisfies NASA’s Common, Configurable, Flash LIDAR performance goals. The Phase II program plans to design, fabricate and FPA and laser test vehicles to demonstrate key functional and performance parameters associated with small 75um pitch FPA unit cells and 1064nm, 100mJ, 5ns pulse width Q-switched MOPA laser operating at a 60Hz frame rate. The reference FPA and laser designs are refined using the test vehicle measured data.

Benefits

Dragon Fly: A mission to explore Saturn’s moon Titan. Mapping, and landing hazard avoidance. Comet Astrobiology Exploration Sample Mission (CAESAR): A mission to return a comet sample. Landing Hazard Avoidance. Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) Program: Commercial lunar landers. Landing Hazard Avoidance. Modular Space Vehicle (MSV): Space Situational Awareness. Autonomous Satellite Servicing-Proximal spacecraft operation. Commercial Crew: Manned proximal spacecraft operation.

Army Autonomous Ground Vehicle Navigation Wearable Flash LIDAR for enhance situational awareness Autonomous aerial refueling Nanosat Launch Tracking Commercial and Military Satellite servicing. Real Time 3D mapping Manned Airborne navigation sensor

Details

Technology area	Entry, Descent, and Landing > Vehicle Systems > Atmosphere Characterization
Program	Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer (SBIR/STTR)
Lead organization	Advanced Scientific Concepts, LLC, Goleta, CA
Start date	2019-07-23
End date	2021-07-22

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

Vincent E Roback — vincent.e.roback@nasa.gov
Leona M Gonzalez
William Johnson

How to get involved

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.