In-Situ Hyperspectral Transmissometer for Ocean IOP Closure

The objective of this Phase II project is to build upon the success of our Phase I project developing a compact wavelength-scanning hyperspectral transmissometer to measure in-situ beam attenuation, a critical ocean inherent optical property (IOP), from ultraviolet to near infrared (approximately 360-750 nm) wavelengths at a resolution that meets the needs of NASA remote sensing missions such as PACE, GLIMR, and SBG for ocean color model development and data product validation. The sensor will utilize a broadband light source coupled to a linear variable filter to selectively scan through source wavelength ranges to transmit to the sample, with a reference detector incorporated to monitor the source output and correct for instability and drift. The light transmitted through the sample will be coupled to a spectral detector for measurement. By utilizing a wavelength-discriminating detector, we can measure both transmitted light (at the same wavelengths as the source wavelengths entering the sample volume) and inelastically-scattered light (at wavelengths greater than the source wavelengths entering the sample volume), increasing the scientific capabilities of the instrument. In Phase II, we will (1) continue our Phase I measurement R&D to refine and characterize the performance of an advanced breadboard, (2) design, build, and test a submersible prototype of the sensor, and (3) design, build, calibrate, and test two pre-commercial units. One pre-commercial unit will remain with Sequoia for local field testing and TRL 6 validation, while the other unit will be delivered to NASA at the conclusion of the project for evaluation.

Current (PACE) and future (GLIMR, SBG) NASA missions for hyperspectral ocean sensing require in-situ instrumentation to measure inherent optical properties (IOPs) for model development, calibration, and validation of ocean color data products, such as phytoplankton blooms, oil spills, and atmosphere-ocean carbon cycling, from these missions. A robust and accurate hyperspectral transmissometer with comparable spectral bandwidth and resolution to these missions would therefore directly support these missions by increasing the accuracy of and confidence in remote sensing data products. Complemented by hyperspectral absorption and backscattering instruments developed by our team, the proposed transmissometer would enable full IOP closure from ultraviolet to near-infrared wavelengths. Additionally, the inelastic scattering measurements provided by the proposed sensor could simplify and improve in-field calibrations while simultaneously expanding the application areas of the sensor to new fields related to biogeochemistry, environmental monitoring, plankton research, and other areas of Earth Science research within NASA. Scientists and researchers at federal (e.g., NOAA, USGS), academic, (semi)private nonprofit (e.g., MBARI), and for-profit institutions studying ocean IOPs, ocean color, active and passive marine and freshwater remote sensing, biogeochemistry, plankton, and/or imaging and visibility would benefit from the proposed hyperspectral transmissometer. This includes researchers performing calibration and validation in relation to international hyperspectral remote sensing missions outside of NASA, such as HYPSO (Norway) and Sentinal-3 and Sentinal-10 OCI (ESA). Complementary inelastic scattering measurements made by the sensor would improve upon the offerings of current transmissometers and increase the scientific potential of in-situ instrumentation. Finally, we see some naval and defense related applications: Sequoia’s single-wavelength transmissometer (LISST-Tau) has been used since 2020 for underwater naval and defense-related visibility applications. The proposed Hyper-c would potentially expand this market for Sequoia.

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.