Utilization of the International Space Station to Verify Photonic Devices for Enhanced Space-Based Atmospheric Profiling

The overall goal of the SBIR effort is completion of Technical Readiness Level (TRL) 5, component validation in a relevant environment, of the key photonics devices for a diode-based, locked wavelength, seed laser system currently being developed for space-based, High Spectral Resolution Lidar (HSRL) measurements. To achieve this goal, AdvR is proposing to the utilize the Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE-FF) Flight Facility for accelerated and accurate testing of the key materials and components of the seed laser system, all of which have been successfully integrated into NASA High Spectral Resolution Lidar (HSRL) flight missions, but none of which have been in a space environment. Exposure and successful operation of AdvR developed materials and devices in a relevant space environment will complete the TRL 5 requirements for this technology and allow advancement to TRL 6 for the system, thus directly addressing the need for space technologies already developed under the NASA Langley SBIR Program that would mature in TRL due to successful demonstration in the space environment, as described in the NASA SBIR topic H8.01 ISS Utilization and Microgravity Research.

Aerosols/Clouds/Ecosystems Mission (ACE); NASA LaRC (Hostetler, Cook, et al.) High Spectral Resolution Lidar (HSRL); Nasa LaRC (Hostetler, Cook, et al.) Monitoring the Evolving State of Clouds and Aerosols (MESCAL); lidar mission concept under development by NASA LaRC and CNES Ocean Profiling Atmospheric Lidar (OPAL) Wind Lidar, NASA/GSFC (Gentry, et al.) DIAL Lidar, NASA/GSFC (Riris, et al.)

Laser source stabilization Commercial lidar systems Environmental and pollution monitoring Fiber and free-space communications

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.