Developing Miniaturized Wind and Weather Lidar for Mars Exploration and Atmospheric Science

This proposed work will demonstrate and mature new technologies needed for two types of atmospheric lidar for Mars. The first is a wind lidar (Mini-MARLI) for Mars orbit that makes wind profile measurements of Mars from the surface to 50 km altitude for the entire globe. The other is surface-based lidar (the Laser Atmospheric Profiling System, LAPS) which will measure real-time vertical profiles of winds, water vapor, dust, and aerosols from the surface to 10 km as shown in Figure 1. Both instruments are targeted for infusion into the Moon to Mars program and support weather monitoring and forecasting for Mars. Their measurements are required to reduce risk of future human and robotic exploration by improving atmospheric models to provide wind and aerosol profiles during entry, descent, and landing, and by helping predict dust storms that may hinder the safety of surface operations.

Advances Mini-MARLI breadboard lidar to TRL 4 for aerosol backscatter and wind profile measurements; Develops LAPS (Lidar Atmospheric Profiling System) using 935-nm laser technology with improved performance; Enables near-surface profiling capabilities for weather forecasting and EDL operations

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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