← Back to NASA Technology Projects
Development of a Miniaturized; Multipurpose Coherent Optical Terminal
Completed
TRL 3 (started at 3, targeting 4)
Description
The effort seeks to enable high precision ranging over coherent optical intersatellite links with miniaturized; multipurpose optical terminals suitable for small satellites. Its objective is to meet the different range and range-rate requirements of various end users in navigation; Earth science; and planetary science. With a team of experts in ultra-stable lasers; precision laser ranging; and miniaturized laser communication systems; we intend to implement a benchtop testbed to demonstrate the free space ranging capability.
Benefits
This work is essential to enable the next generation of optical communications systems to support high-precision ranging; which can benefit additional applications in spacecraft navigation and Earth and planetary science. It is highly timely; as these systems; including those for low Earth orbit (LEO)-based constellations; lunar network architectures; and deep space missions; are currently being proposed.
Details
| Technology area | Communications, Navigation, and Orbital Debris Tracking and Characterization Systems > Optical Communications > Optimetrics |
| Program | Center Innovation Fund: GSFC CIF (GSFC CIF) |
| Lead organization | Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD |
| Start date | 2024-10-01 |
| End date | 2025-09-30 |
Project contacts
Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.
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.