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This task will develop a flight terminal prototype of a 1.5 U lasercom terminal.
The innovation relies heavily on a “reduced complexity” flight terminal with sound functionality yet compact enough to fit within a module of a standard CubeSat. For the optical telescope, which consumes the most volume, we envision use of a recently patented “monolithic telescope." The laser transmitter is based on an advanced miniaturized fiber amplifier. For the modem, a JPL-developed deep-space lasercom modem design will be slightly modified, to remove unrelated features, for use with the CubeSat terminal.
Increased science return
Increased competitiveness and data return for smallsats
Increased data return for smallsats
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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.
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