Ultrastable Microphotonic Clocks for a Cislunar Small Spacecraft

Completed TRL 3 (started at 3, targeting 5)

Description

This proposed collaborative effort will develop a small, scalable, space-qualified photonic oscillator that leverage optical-frequency-combs (OFCs), which measure light frequencies with high precision, for a cislunar mission application. The designed oscillator will be integrated onto a chip which supports cost reduction, mass production and substantially reduces time required for spacecraft development and mission execution. By the end of the project, the oscillator will be space qualified by design as all the components are radiation tolerant, and the environmental sensitivity of the oscillator module will be tested at JPL Deep Space Atomic Clock (DSAC) test bed. Photonic oscillators are highly desired for space missions that involve high stability or precision as they produce very low phase noise, and current systems have two orders of magnitude worse stability which does not make them a suitable option for forming well controlled swarms of SmallSats. OFC-based microsystems are of great interest to NASA for lunar surface navigation and LunaNet data exchange.

Benefits

The small scale and cost-effective ultra stable clock technology proposed could significantly improve the SOA for SmallSat timekeeping technologies and enable new compact, highly accurate clocks on operational spacecraft. This work is likely to advance navigation performance with greatest impact for use cases given the current trends of existing oscillators. Overall, this could enable a cislunar satellite to serve effectively as the network access node for continuous communications with lunar orbital and surface assets. The proposed reduced SWaP, ultra-stable oscillator could provide increased satellite and vehicle autonomy and extend the mission to new destinations or in challenging new environments, which could augment existing NASA assets.

Details

Technology area	Communications, Navigation, and Orbital Debris Tracking and Characterization Systems > Network-Provided Position, Navigation, and Timing > Timekeeping and Time Distribution
Program	Small Spacecraft Technology (SST)
Lead organization	California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA
Start date	2023-10-01
End date	2025-09-30

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

Kerry J Vahala
Andrey B Matsko — andrey.b.matsko@jpl.nasa.gov

How to get involved

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — 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.