← Back to NASA Technology Projects
Completed TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 5)
We propose to investigate the use of photonic lanterns for free space optical communications. Photonic lanterns have the potential to provide a pathway to lowering the cost and complexity of future optical ground stations by eliminating the need for extremely costly Adaptive Optics. In coherent optical communications, they also offer the possibility of arraying small low cost receive telescopes to provide greater collection area at much lower cost than a single large aperture receiver.
Photonic lanterns will possibly allow us to collect the signal from a laser communication downlink and couple it to single mode fibers without the use of Adaptive Optics.
By eliminating the need for adaptive optics on ground terminals, the cost and complexity would be greatly reduced. It is hoped that this proposed work could eventually be used in subsequent years to create a demonstration ground receiver for LCRD, or some other NASA laser communications mission.
By starting this work now, we have the possibility of developing it in time to demonstrate it with LCRD when it comes online and also possibly demonstrating it on the upcoming ORION lasercom mission.
Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.
This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — 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.