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Compact Optical Method for Long-range, Inexpensive Network Communication (COMLINC)
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Description
This project develops a small, low-cost optical comm system for direct Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and/or Lunar to Earth data downlinks.
Benefits
New approach to optical communications with lower size, weight, power, and cost than current state of the art. It will enable even small systems to have reliable, high-rate communications that can be deployed within weeks, mitigating project timelines and RF spectrum demands.
Details
| Technology area | Communications, Navigation, and Orbital Debris Tracking and Characterization Systems > Optical Communications > Optimetrics |
| Program | Center Innovation Fund: JSC CIF (JSC CIF) |
| Lead organization | Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX |
| Start date | 2025-10-01 |
| End date | 2026-09-30 |
Project contacts
Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.
How to get involved
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.