New 2 µm Capabilities for Next Generation Spaceborne Lidar Measurements of Terrestrial Resources and Hazards

Lidar instruments are key sensors for measuring terrestrial resources like forests, water, and agricultural lands, as well as hazards such as hurricanes, wildfires, and volcanoes. However, most lidar instruments traditionally operate in the visible or near infrared. This proposal advances subsystem technologies, specifically within the 2 µm wavelength regime, that can be employed in next generation surface topography and vegetation (STV), cloud-aerosol, and atmospheric wind lidars.

Advances high spectral resolution lidar (HSRL) technology for atmospheric measurements; Develops 2 μm detector and transimpedance amplifier (TIA) for wind lidar applications; Enables next-generation global wind profile measurements critical for weather forecasting

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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