← Back to NASA Technology Projects
Completed
We propose to develop SESAR-LITE (Space Exploration Synthetic Aperture Radar - Lunar Investigations Targeted Experiment), a compact P-band (70 cm wavelength) polarimetric synthetic aperture radar. This orbital instrument will address Artemis science goals with a flexible architecture that is specifically compatible with small-sat missions. SESAR-LITE will be able to image several meters below the surface to characterize the subsurface in regions of interest for the Artemis program. Our team will leverage the SESAR instrument development under the NASA MatISSE program to enable a high TRL, small package, and lightweight SAR suitable for immediate upcoming mission opportunities. Science Goals: SESAR-LITE is designed to address several Artemis Science Definition Team goals, particularly those involving polar volatiles, volcanism, and regolith development. This fully-polarimetric radar will be used to search for buried ice deposits at greater depths than the LRO Mini-RF radar (12.6 cm wavelength) or the Chandrayaan-2 DF-SAR radar (12 and 24 cm wavelengths). SESAR-LITE will also help to understand the character of lunar polar volatiles by investigating whether any smaller patches of ice can be detected, and by investigating the character of the regolith in polar regions. SESAR-LITE will also image buried lava flows and channels, investigate volumes of pyroclastic deposits, and can be used to detect near-surface lava tubes. And it will provide new rock population measurements that can be used to determine how the regolith varies across the Moon, including how the regolith depth and rock population varies for terrains of different ages. The depth of penetration (several meters) is a particularly good match for assessing future landing sites, as it samples the part of the upper subsurface most likely to be accessible to future landers and astronauts. Methodology: Our original SESAR instrument is designed for Discovery-class (or LRO-class) missions with space for a large antenna. SESAR-LITE will employ a smaller, simpler antenna and digital processing system to enable a set of focused mission goals for smaller payload opportunities. The development of SESAR-LITE will address accommodation flexibility on multiple launch vehicle families that require small packages. For example, SIMPLEx vehicles of opportunity for future lunar missions could impose a volume constraint of 106x116x96 cm (NNH17ZDA004O-SIMPLEx). SESAR-LITE’s innovative design will permit a stowing configuration that makes it compatible with most future lunar missions that will carry multiple payloads. Like the full-scale SESAR, SESAR-LITE will be programmable to provide polarimetric data at depths and resolutions that are well-matched to Artemis science objectives. SESAR-LITE’s entry TRL will be high as it leverages many of the SESAR instrument’s subsystems that will be at TRL 6 at the conclusion of the MatISSE program in the summer of 2022. Significance to DALI Solicitation: Building and testing the SESAR-LITE prototype (as a fully-integrated system) in a relevant environment will raise the TRL of our small-sat concept to 6, such that it can be proposed to future solicitations. During the three year DALI effort, we will also formulate subsequent steps to reach TRL 7 as well as prepare for, and respond to, the potential flight opportunities. No other lunar orbital missions have operated at P-band, and SESAR-LITE would provide key, focused science across the lunar poles, skylights, and other potential future human landing sites.
Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.
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.
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.