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Active TRL 7 (started at 6, targeting 8)
On December 7, 2021, LCRD launched as a hosted payload on the Department of Defense's Space Test Program Satellite-6 (STPSat-6) mission. Once in geosynchronous orbit, LCRD began transmitting data over laser links at 1.2 gigabits-per-second (Gbps) — fast enough to download a movie in under a minute. Operate the LCRD payload after the initial 2-year experiment period ends through LCRD-X. Handover at the end of June 2024. Desired target STPSat-6 lifetime is 10 years total, post-commissioning. Partnership with STMD/TDM: STMD: flight, SCaN: ground.
High bandwidth optical comm relay operations available to user community. LCRD acts as an experiment platform for NASA, other government agencies, and commercial companies to refine laser communications capabilities. Since its 2021 launch, LCRD has conducted over 1,500 experiment configurations with its two ground stations — testing adaptive optics, signal acquisition, atmospheric impact, and more. NASA continues to seek out new experiments with LCRD.
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.