14-Decades Calibration in Airborne Detectors for Environmental Science (14DeCADES)

The 14-DeCADES SBIR leverages the results of a FY13 spontaneous IRAD and a subsequent successful Phase 1 SBIR which characterized and tested key elements that will lead to a Phase 2 SBIR to design and build a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) multiwaveband sensor pair (radiance and irradiance) for airborne and shipboard sensing of ocean color in conditions of very low light. The new instruments will pair ruggedized, miniature photomultiplier tubes with silicon photodetectors to create so-called hybridnamic detectors, featuring 14 decades of linear dynamic range. The new radiometers will be suitable for making optical measurements of the atmosphere and ocean in low-light regimes wherein high-quality optical data are rarely available. Anticipated uses include improved calibration and validation data collection for next-generation NASA satellite missions emphasizing turbid atmospheres and waters. Basic research uses include twilight and nighttime diurnal or polar winter studies (e.g. aerosol optical depth from shadow band irradiance instruments), and other moon-lit measurements including airborne ocean color missions. While Phase 1 moved the prototype from a technology readiness level (TRL) of 3, to 4, the Phase 2 effort will advance the TRL of the new technology from a value of 4 to a value of 6 over the period of the SBIR Phase 2. This technology, known as LOLUX (Lowest Observable Light Upgraded XTRA class instruments), with irradiance (LOLUX-E) and radiance (LOLUX-L) sensors, will be supported with a portable, stabilized LED-based light source to insure that the sensors exhibit the desired stability during extended deployments. Following an extensive characterization period, this technology will be demonstrated in the field and delivered to NASA.

NASA's Earth Science Roadmaps (Section 2.2) provide much insight into a variety of potential NASA applications for the LOLUX radiometers developed in this project. As satellite technology advances and capabilities to observe the ocean at challenging locations (e.g., coastal areas) improve, ever more sophisticated ground-based instrumentation is required to validate measurements from space. There is increased interest by NASA to study Arctic oceans early and late in the year, when the solar irradiance is small, and LOLUX could provide the required validation data. Furthermore, observations with moon light become accessible, potentially allowing to measure variations in ocean properties over a complete 24 hour cycle, using the same instrument during the night and the day. Thus, LOLUX radiometers can potentially support many NASA spaceborne and sub-orbital missions (e.g., AVIRIS, MODIS, VIIRS, ACE/PACE, GEO-CAPE, and HyspIRI) and associated cal/val activities.

Non-NASA benefits to this technology parallel the direct benefit to NASA, with the extension to in-creased opportunity for multidisciplinary airborne studies in the field. International and domestic potential customers for this technology include government, university, and privately funded re-searchers interested in ocean color, phytoplankton ecology, fisheries, or photodegradation.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — 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.