Efficient Laser Power Beaming for Lunar Operations

This project will develop an efficient laser power beaming system for a variety of Lunar operation scenarios, including crewed bases and autonomous rovers. This Phase 1 effort will explore transmitter, receiver, and system level trade-offs between a multitude of optical, electrical, and thermal subsystem design choices and parameters, based on our previous experience in designing, fabricating, testing and demonstrating long-range, high power wireless laser power beaming systems. We will determine optimal values for major system design parameters, including transmit and receive aperture sizes, laser wavelength, and more for lunar operating constraints. We will recommend an overall system design that balances optimization between system size, mass, and end-to-end efficiency.

The proposed system for wireless optical power distribution will apply to: Rovers (e.g., exploration and mining at polar ice caps in perpetually dark craters) Remote sensor suites Communications gear (with data transfer) Remote or distributed habitats and lunar work sites In the future, it may be useful for space solar power to beam energy from the sun down to earth

Wireless power to remote telecom gear (military , industrial), remote sensors (military, industrial), unmanned vehicles (air, ground, sea, space), consumer devices, and to remote work sites (lighting, equip, tools).

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.

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