Thin-Film Lithium Niobate Modulator for Inertial Navigation

According to the NASA Strategic Plan there are four goals: discover, explore, innovate, and advance. These strategic goals focus on certain technologies that will strengthen the ability of NASA to complete specific missions. Namely, NASA is interested in the development and maturation of photonic integrated circuit (PIC) technology for infusion into existing and upcoming instruments which will lend well to the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD), Science Mission Directorate (SMD), and Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESDMD). Lynntech proposes to develop a thin-film lithium niobate modulator for inertial navigation.

Lynntech’s thin-film lithium niobate modulator for inertial navigation provides size, weight, and power benefits, as well as, cost savings for the following NASA applications: (1) lunar & planetary landings, (2) astronaut extravehicular activities (EVAs) & spacewalks, (3) attitude control systems, and (4) small-/cube-sats. With its small footprint and low power consumption, the photonic integrated circuit can be used in the commercial market in many portable sensing applications that require guidance and navigation such as drones, automobiles, boats, etc. Components of this device can also be used for the advancement of chip-based solutions in the telecommunications industry.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 1) — 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.