Robotic Hyperspectral Polarimeter for the Ocean: RoboHYPO (RoboHYPO)

Completed TRL 6 (started at 4, targeting 6)

Description

The objective of this IRAD study is to design and build a ruggedized robotic system to measure the hyperspectral polarization state of the surface ocean.

Benefits

This project addresses the paucity of available technologies for measuring the polarization state of the ocean, and to mitigate the associated risk to NASA satellite missions and measurement campaigns that study ocean color and polarization (MODIS, PACE, GLIMR, NAAMES, RSP – GISS, AirMSPI – JPL). Currently, polarimeters for the ocean surface exist only in prototype form and are deployed and operated manually.

Details

Technology area	Software, Modeling, Simulation, and Information Processing > Simulation > Model-Based Systems Engineering
Program	Center Independent Research & Development: GSFC IRAD (GSFC IRAD)
Lead organization	Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
Start date	2019-10-01
End date	2021-09-30

Project contacts

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

Julia W Breed — julia.w.breed@nasa.gov
Matthew Mcgill
Carlos E Del Castillo — carlos.e.delcastillo@nasa.gov
Susanne E Craig — susanne.e.craig@nasa.gov

How to get involved

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.