Laser Power for Lunar Polar Exploration

Goal: To develop and demonstrate a new capability in surface to surface laser-power beaming, and to do so at a level capable of powering a lunar rover. Capability Need/Knowledge Gap: The objective is to demonstrate power by laser at power level sufficient for lunar rover. The gap to be addressed between needs and capability is that while such systems have been previously proposed, a demonstration of power transfer at high enough power to operate a rover has never been done, and this will be critical before any such system can be used on the moon. State-of-the-Art/Knowledge: Recent advances in laser technology now present a possible approach to addressing this problem: using a laser to beam power directly from a power source (possibly the Kilopower nuclear reactor) at the rim of the crater a photovoltaic laser receiver, to recharge a rover exploring inside the permanently shadowed region. Key Technical Challenges: Converting disparate technologies into a system. Approach/Research Plan: (1) Put together engineering test plan and safety review; (2) Optical design of beam director; (3) Acquire components for pilot (low power) test; (4) Pilot (low power) test; (5) Acquire components for full scale (>250W) test; and (6) Do a demonstration test of beaming at power level >250 W. The project plan is aimed at a single purpose: demonstrate power beaming by laser at a level sufficient to recharge a rover. We define the target to be a power at the receiver of 250W DC. The test will be done in two parts: a pilot test at low power to verify the optical performance of the system, followed by purchase of a commercial diode-pumped fiber laser and then the full-scale power beaming demonstration with a goal of sending at least 250 watts to a receiving photovoltaic array matched to the 1.06 micron wavelength. Next Step: The next steps anticipated after this project is completed would be to put together the elements needed for a flight experiment as part of a commercial lunar payloads services (CLPS) program, leading to use of the system in lunar exploration.

This project is to develop and demonstrate a system to address NASA’s exploration need for providing power to a lunar rover in a permanently shadowed crater. This approach is complementary to work being done in industry and academia, in that we will put together a test that will show the integration of technologies developed separately (laser and photovoltaic technologies) into a working power transmission system. Laser power beaming has been proposed before (including significant work done at NASA Glenn during the 1990s), but there has not previously been a compelling need for the capability.

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.