System with Ultra-staBle Magnetic Inertial Control Regulation for Orbital beaming (SUBMICRO) (SUBMICRO)

This proposal presents an innovative attitude determination and control system to enable sub-micron-accuracy laser power transfer to the Lunar surface from Lunar orbit. This proposal leverages the world-renowned expertise in pointing control architectures built in decades of groundbreaking research by Dr. Mason Peck’s work at Cornell University and the innovative work pioneered by Volta Space Technologies in the field of spaceborne optical payloads for laser power transmission. The system hereby proposed makes use of a closed-feedback loop approach to determine the position of a laser power receiver on the surface of the Moon with high resolution, and of a highly collaborative interaction between spacecraft bus and payload to ensure accurate and reliable tracking, mediated by magnetic reaction wheels.

The proposed innovation directly supports NASA’s Artemis and Moon-to-Mars exploration objectives by enabling precise, reliable, and scalable lunar orbital power beaming. Enhanced spacecraft pointing stability and sub-microradian accuracy significantly increases laser power transmission efficiency, significantly reducing mission costs. This innovation specifically addresses NASA's critical need for lunar night survival capabilities, allowing extended lunar surface missions without heavy nuclear or battery-based systems. Additionally, the developed technology supports advanced space-based precision sensing, navigation, and secure optical communications, advancing multiple NASA Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) priorities. The proposed sub-microradian pointing and jitter-reduction technology has significant potential across multiple commercial and defense markets. Opportunities include providing reliable lunar power services for commercial lunar lander and rover providers, extending operational lifetimes and mission flexibility. High-precision sensing capabilities benefit commercial remote sensing providers requiring ultra-stable platforms for advanced Earth observation and space situational awareness. Precision optical communication services, enabled by improved pointing accuracy, support secure, high-data-rate communications for commercial satellite operators. Additionally, defense and national security agencies, including DoD, US Space Force, and intelligence communities would benefit from enhanced tracking, surveillance, and secure communications capabilities enabled by this technology.

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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