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Portable Passive Fast Light Optical Gyroscope (FLOG)
Completed
TRL 5 (started at 3, targeting 5)
Description
Design, build, and test the first passive and active fast light optical gyros (FLOGs), progressing down in size from an optical table top, to a small optical breadboard, to a vacuum packaged mechanically-hardened version, with the ultimate goal to be able to detect rotation rates orders of magnitude smaller than current best technologies without increasing gyroscope size.
Benefits
NASA unfunded: Extends time for standalone navigation. New science possibilities (gravity waves, general relativity, etc.).
Details
| Technology area | GN&C > Navigation Technologies > Navigation Sensors |
| Program | Game Changing Development (GCD) |
| Lead organization | Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL |
| Start date | 2012-09-05 |
| End date | 2016-09-30 |
Project contacts
Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.
How to get involved
This is early/mid-stage (TRL 5) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.
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.