← Back to NASA Technology Projects
Completed TRL 4 (started at 2, targeting 4)
This proposal seeks to exploit rapid advances in chip-based nanophotonics technology to create future laser-based beam steering space communication systems that enable greatly increased spacecraft communications bandwidth, while dramatically decreasing the required size, weight and power (SWaP). In particular, we will leverage our recent development of tunable metasurface chip-based nanophotonic antenna phased arrays, operating in the C-band wavelength regime (1530-1565 nm) to create ultracompact low-power optical phased arrays capable of electronic beam steering. This chip-based optical beam steering component technology will be used to experimentally demonstrate a prototype omni-directional optical antenna whose active elements enable operation over an angular range of 4pi steradians, with no moving parts. Also, multi-bands multiple access will be investigated.
This proposal seeks to exploit rapid advances in chip-based nanophotonics technology to create future laser-based beam steering space communication systems that enable greatly increased spacecraft communications bandwidth, while dramatically decreasing the required size, weight and power (SWaP).
Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.
This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — 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.