Global L-band Active/Passive Observatory for Water Cycle Studies (GLOWS) (GLOWS)

The value of L-band measurements from the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) and Soil Moisture Ocean Salinity (SMOS) missions have shown the importance of L-band data record in Earth Sciences. An obstacle to this is the high cost of designing and flying the large antennas required for L-band observations. A new technique based on reflectarray antennas provides a path to smaller, lower-cost, simpler, large-aperture antennas for low frequency microwave (L-band) observation. Using this key technology, we propose the Global L-band Active/Passive Observatory for Water Cycle Studies (GLOWS) instrument. The use of a reflectarray lens antenna enables L-band measurement capability from a significantly smaller spacecraft. This proposal to the Instrument Incubator Program (IIP) is to evaluate the radiometric performance of the new antenna design concept from TRL 2-3 to TRL 4 to advance the timeline of a GLOWS flight. The technology improvements can be applied to other remote sensing missions as well.

Increase scientific understanding of natural phenomena using remote sensing

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.