Space/Aircraft Blue Laser for Underwater Ocean Science, Sensing, and Communications

Fibertek proposes a versatile blue laser technology with applications in NASA atmospheric and ocean science, as well as Navy/DoD bathymetry, submarine communications, and underwater threat sensing. The focus of Phase 1 is to establish the feasibility of this technology for Phase 2 development of a space TRL 4/5 laser optical module. Key points: • Support for NASA Science and DoD aircraft/spacecraft applications. • Space-capable laser: Utilizes Fibertek's core space laser design methods, with potential for high reliability. • Efficiency and size: The proposed laser is potentially 5x more efficient, 2-3x smaller in SWaP (Size, Weight, and Power), and significantly less complex than current state-of-the-art blue laser lidar/comms. • Program goals: Rapidly mature a minimal viable blue laser optical module to TRL 5 by 2028, establishing feasibility for space missions. • Phase II deliverable: A 473 nm blue laser that can be integrated into existing NASA aircraft lidar systems to enable ocean lidar missions. • Data utilization: Aircraft data can be used to model high-altitude and space-based ocean lidar systems using quantified ocean lidar data.

NASA’s space-based CALIPSO, GEDI, and ICESat-2 missions have pioneered and demonstrated the effectiveness of satellite lidar systems to measure ocean and atmospheric properties for NASA and DoD applications. NASA’s space lidars provide high vertical resolution of the atmosphere and underwater range-resolved lidar returns down to a depth of 100 m in the clearest ocean water. A blue lidar alone, or in combination with green lidar signal returns, can enhance the science gathered from traditional passive instruments like PACE. Blue lidar can support the ocean fisheries population and economic assessments and support plankton lifecycle studies. The proposed blue lidar technology supports: • NASA Atmospheric Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) 2017 Decadal report • NASA Ocean studies when combined with traditional PACE-type space sensors • NASA aircraft missions to study the benefits of combined 532 nm and 473 nm ocean lidar • Coherent wind and water vapor DIAL lidar capabilities NASA's space lidar systems offer high vertical resolution for atmospheric and underwater observations, with range-resolved lidar returns reaching depths of up to 100 meters in the clearest ocean waters. Extending this capability to blue wavelengths would enhance ocean depth lidar, supporting underwater threat identification, such as mine detection. The Department of Defense (DoD) has shown interest in deploying blue lidars for these applications. If this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project succeeds, the developed blue laser technology would significantly advance the current state of the art. The proposed blue lidar technology would: • Provide enhanced sensor and submarine coms performance for space-based security for programs like Golden Dome. • Provide greater water transparency for bathymetric lidar compared to green lidar technology. • Enable deeper ocean transparency for DoD applications. • Facilitate underwater mine detection using ocean lidar from air/space platforms. • Support underwater communications, utilizing the same technology for communication through water from air/space platforms. • Be space-enabling from a Size, Weight, and Power-Cost (SWaP-C) perspective. • Accelerate Technology Readiness Level (TRL) maturation for space applications if successful. • High efficiency space based blue laser and lidar are attractive technologies for numerous DoD programs and major aerospace customers.

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.