Advancement of the Space Exploration Synthetic Aperture Radar (SESAR)

Completed TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 4)

Description

The Space Exploration Synthetic Aperture Radar (SESAR) is an advanced radar instrument concept that will enable a new class of measurements that address key Decadal Survey science goals for planetary exploration. The objective of this work is to reduce the mass and improve and its deployability for application in planetary missions.

Benefits

Several NRC Planetary Science Decadal Survey goals (Visions and Voyages, 2011; NRC Press) will require or benefit from high resolution surface and subsurface microwave imaging. SESAR addresses many of these goals.

Details

Technology area	Sensors and Instruments > Remote Sensing Instruments and Sensors > Microwave, Millimeter Waves, and Submillimeter Waves
Program	Center Independent Research & Development: GSFC IRAD (GSFC IRAD)
Lead organization	Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
Start date	2017-10-01
End date	2018-09-01

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

Brook Lakew — brook.lakew@nasa.gov
Michael J Amato — michael.j.amato@nasa.gov
Terry Doiron — Terence.Doiron@nasa.gov
Rafael Rincon — Rafael.Rincon@nasa.gov
Cornelius Du Toit
Victor J Marrero Fontanez — victor.j.marrero@nasa.gov

How to get involved

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.