Laser Absorption Imaging diagnostic system for arc jet facilities

We propose the Phase II development of a Laser Absorption Imaging (LAI) diagnostic system, with a design that is specifically optimized for NASA arc jet facilities. This approach exploits advances in high-speed infrared cameras and rapidly tunable lasers to image a range of species in the mid-wave infrared spectral range. The spectral / spatial / temporal data provides needed empirical information. In Phase I, a breadboard system was assembled, and proof of concept measurements conducted to demonstrate temporally and spatially resolved gas property measurements for NO and CO. Specific techniques and components were down selected and risk mitigation strategies developed. In Phase II of the project, we will design and produce a multi-species prototype that will be fully developed and demonstrated at NASA arc jet facilities.

The sensor resulting from this project willbe usedat NASA arc jet facilities, whichsupport NASA Entry and Descent (ED)/ Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) missions, such as crewed Moon or Mars return missions, high mass Mars landers, and Venus and gas/ice giant probes. Preparing for such missions will require testing and qualification of Thermal Protection Systems (TPS). Arc jet facilities provide the only ground-based simulation of flight entry conditions and are critical to TPS development required for these and other Exploration missions.

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.