Lunar Network Optical Terminals (LNOT)

This proposed SBIR builds upon Fibertek's NASA-funded Laser Communications Terminal (CLCT) heritage to develop new ultra-low SWaP-C technology to create a CubeSat/SmallSat Lunar Network Optical Terminal (LNOT). The LNOT will offer similar capability to state of the art Lunar lasercom systems but at a fraction the size, mass, power and cost making the technology affordable and accessible to NASA and Commercial space lunar missions. The emphasis of this SBIR is to extend customize our terminal to include NASA and beyond GEO design features to support long range, beyond lunar, communication including direct to earth, intersatellite links (ISL), relay links. LNOT will be designed to be interoperable with NASA SCaN optical ground stations and flight terminals and to become nodes in NASA’s network.

NASA HEOMD – Lunar Moon to Mars, Artemis, lunar orbiter and lander capability NASA Astronaut Radiation Warning, Space Weather – Small sat sun sensor constellations require optical com. to get data volume. NASA Commercial Space Initiative – Provide lander awardees and science customer, affordable high speed com capability Lunar Surface Science Misions – A number of CLCP and PRISM science teams want optical com for direct to earth Beyond Lunar – There is an unmet need for high data rate across many missions. Distributed Spacecraft Missions.

DOD – High reliability 5-15 year mission lifetime Major aerospace companies – serving commercial and federal customers. GEO constellation applications GPS replacement satellites

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.