Re-Inventing 3-D Mapping Lidars

Completed TRL 4 (started at 2, targeting 4)

Description

We are investigating 3-D mapping lidar technologies to improve performance and size, weight and power trade-offs. We will investigate novel component technologies as well as lidar system architectures to maximize efficiency and optimize designs for a variety of science and operational applications.

Benefits

We will gain a better understanding of the various NASA requirements that need high resolution 3-D mapping. We will improve mapping performance and reduce the satellite resources needed by optimizing the photon efficiency of the lidar architecture and using state-of-the-art component technologies.

Details

Technology area	Sensors and Instruments
Program	Center Independent Research & Development: GSFC IRAD (GSFC IRAD)
Lead organization	Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
Start date	2020-10-01
End date	2023-09-30

Project contacts

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

Michael A Johnson — michael.a.johnson@nasa.gov
Renee M Reynolds — renee.m.reynolds@nasa.gov
Mark A Stephen — mark.a.stephen@nasa.gov
Hui Li — hui.li-1@nasa.gov
Jeffrey R Chen — jeffrey.r.chen@nasa.gov

How to get involved

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.