Laser Communication Terminal for Low Cost Missions and Markets

Fibertek proposes to advance the maturity of the cubesat optical laser communication technology developed under the contract # NNX15CM15C Phase II SBIR program. This maturation effort will support both low cost NASA science missions and a budding commercial market. To support this effort, our commercial partner, will be investing in Fibertek to develop a TRL 5 prototype cubesat laser terminal based on the Phase II technology in 2017. Our partner is dedicated to commercialize space based optical communications systems and wants to offer a small, low cost space laser communication terminal to access a global optical communication ground network that they are building. The CCRPP program, along with the infusion of additional commercial investment will enable the transition of this technology to the commercial market by provided a low cost laser communication terminal asset for early pathfinder missions. Early adaption and demonstration of this technology will be essential for commercialization success. An advanced TRL 6 cubesat laser communications system will be built and demonstrated and provide NASA with a risk reduction asset for future cube/small sat mission that require laser communications to meet required scientific goals or early demonstration on ISS or other experimental platforms.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — 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.