← Back to NASA Technology Projects
Completed TRL 2 (started at 1, targeting 2)
The advent of Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits (MMIC, pronounced mimic) has resulted in fully-integrated sensor systems contained on single chips. These chips have the potential to enable flight instrument systems to have a considerably smaller footprint in Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) than those of unintegrated architectures, and often they are available as Commercial, Off-The-Shelf (COTS) components. We will demonstrate the utility of MMIC radars for Earth and Planetary science applications through a combination of theoretical and experimental investigations.
Newly developed MMIC radars have the potential to expand the use of radar to SWaP-limited applications such as in situ sensor networks, synoptic soundings, small UASs, and CubeSats. Moreover, availability as COTS components will enable low-cost solutions for answering challenging science questions. Given the affordability and availability of this technology, now is the time to invest in determining the best avenues for exploiting these chips for flight missions.
Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.
This is early/mid-stage (TRL 2) — 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.