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Completed TRL 3 (started at 3, targeting 5)
This project is technology maturation for risk reduction. 5GHz Wi-Fi is the only stated external wireless communications technology meant for use with HLS, and while spaceborne Wi-Fi does exist on the International Space Station (ISS), it has been implemented with commercial-off-the-shelf components unsuitable for high-reliability mission-critical applications. Further, the lunar environment presents additional and significant challenges compared to the ISS Low Earth Orbit that this design seeks to address. The antenna design meets the needs of an astronaut handled, low power, dust tolerant, temperature swing compliant, direction agnostic system. These were all needs identified for astronaut deployed/handled instruments on the lunar surface by the Lunar Experiment Survey System and Handling (LESSSH)-Handheld Instrument Design Lab run in 2022. The end engineering goal is to have an antenna that is LunaNet/HLS compatible and meets all these lunar surface needs. This will enable science goals limited only by the capabilities of the instrument system the antenna is paired with.
This antenna will enable remote science instruments and stations on the lunar surface in proximity to other Wi-Fi access points such as the HLS. By completing this IRAD a demonstrated Wi-Fi capable antenna in this form factor will provide a basis for any user to create a Wi-Fi enabled device and guarantee its connectivity within a limited range. Since Wi-Fi is such a well established system on Earth many other users could take advantage of this development including instrument developers at Universities, commercial lunar payload providers, and any other users that wish to have remote stations on the lunar surface.
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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.
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