{"project":{"acronym":"","projectId":34134,"title":"NASA Laser Communications with Adaptive Optics and Linear Mode Photon Counting","primaryTaxonomyNodes":[{"taxonomyNodeId":10651,"taxonomyRootId":8816,"parentNodeId":10646,"level":3,"code":"TX05.1.5","title":"Atmospheric Mitigation","definition":"Atmospheric mitigation measures and models the atmospheric channel and its effects on optical propagation, as well as mitigating atmospheric effects on both uplink and downlink.","exampleTechnologies":"Solar differential image motion monitor (DIMM), daytime adaptive optics for uplink and downlink, weather forecasting for handover","hasChildren":false,"hasInteriorContent":true}],"startTrl":2,"currentTrl":4,"endTrl":4,"benefits":"The results from this SBIR effort will demonstrate theoretically and experimentally that we can detect incoming laser communications signals from distant spacecraft, while also transmitting lower-information content back to the spacecraft, if necessary. The principal application will be to receive the signals from space for processing on the ground. As a consequence, NASA will be able to communicate with these distant spacecraft using very small SWAP systems, which can enable larger payloads for experiments other than communications. The commercial implications are significant, as the transceivers can be used in terrestrial applications involving aircraft, where communication through significant atmospheric turbulence is required.
The results from this SBIR effort will demonstrate theoretically and experimentally that we can detect incoming laser communications signals from distant spacecraft, while also transmitting lower-information content back to the spacecraft, if necessary. The principal application will be to receive the signals from space for processing on the ground. As a consequence, NASA will be able to communicate with these distant spacecraft using very small SWAP systems, which can enable larger payloads for experiments other than communications. The commercial implications are significant, as the transceivers can be used in terrestrial applications involving aircraft, where communication through significant atmospheric turbulence is required.","description":"In this effort, the Optical Sciences Company (tOSC) and Raytheon Vision Systems (RVS) will team to provide NASA with a long range laser communications system for spacecraft in the solar system. The ultimate product will be two components: (1) a spacecraft-based transceiver that uses small Size, Weight, and Power (SWAP) components to generate signals that can be detected at Earth; and (2) a ground-based transceiver system that uses Laser Guide Star (LGS) Adaptive Optics (AO) plus Linear Mode Photon Counting (LMPC) Avalanche Photo-Diode (APD) detectors to sense the incoming laser communications signals. tOSC has multiple contracts in laser communications technology, and has developed numerous AO systems for the USAF, while Raytheon is the world's largest producer for advanced sensors, including photon counting technology.","startYear":2015,"startMonth":6,"endYear":2015,"endMonth":12,"statusDescription":"Completed","principalInvestigators":[{"contactId":222653,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Jim","lastName":"Riker","fullName":"Jim F Riker","fullNameInverted":"Riker, Jim F","middleInitial":"F","primaryEmail":"Jim.Riker@Tosc.Com","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false},{"contactId":3250920,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Jim","lastName":"Riker","fullName":"Jim Riker","fullNameInverted":"Riker, Jim","primaryEmail":"jim.riker@tosc.com","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programDirectors":[{"contactId":206378,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Jason","lastName":"Kessler","fullName":"Jason L Kessler","fullNameInverted":"Kessler, Jason L","middleInitial":"L","primaryEmail":"jason.l.kessler@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programExecutives":[{"contactId":215154,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Jennifer","lastName":"Gustetic","fullName":"Jennifer L Gustetic","fullNameInverted":"Gustetic, Jennifer L","middleInitial":"L","primaryEmail":"jennifer.l.gustetic@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programManagers":[{"contactId":62051,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Carlos","lastName":"Torrez","fullName":"Carlos Torrez","fullNameInverted":"Torrez, Carlos","primaryEmail":"carlos.torrez@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"projectManagers":[{"contactId":461333,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Theresa","lastName":"Stanley","fullName":"Theresa M Stanley","fullNameInverted":"Stanley, Theresa M","middleInitial":"M","primaryEmail":"theresa.m.stanley@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false},{"contactId":3163995,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Robert","lastName":"Jones","fullName":"Robert Jones","fullNameInverted":"Jones, Robert","primaryEmail":"Robert.A.Jones@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"website":"","libraryItems":[{"file":{"fileExtension":"pdf","fileId":301657,"fileName":"SBIR_2015_1_BC_H9.01-9298","fileSize":122790,"objectId":298199,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":889,"code":"LIBRARY_ITEMS","description":"Library Items","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"objectTypeId":889,"fileSizeString":"119.9 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2015"}],"primaryImage":{"file":{"fileExtension":"tif","fileId":297760,"fileSizeString":"0 Byte"},"id":294293,"description":"NASA Laser Communications with Adaptive Optics and Linear Mode Photon Counting, Phase I","projectId":34134,"publishedDateString":""},"responsibleMd":{"acronym":"STMD","canUserEdit":false,"city":"","external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"program":{"acronym":"SBIR/STTR","active":true,"description":"
The NASA SBIR and STTR programs fund the research, development, and demonstration of innovative technologies that fulfill NASA needs as described in the annual Solicitations and have significant potential for successful commercialization. If you are a small business concern (SBC) with 500 or fewer employees or a non-profit RI such as a university or a research laboratory with ties to an SBC, then NASA encourages you to learn more about the SBIR and STTR programs as a potential source of seed funding for the development of your innovations.
The SBIR and STTR programs have 3 phases:
The SBIR and STTR Phase I contracts last for 6 months with a maximum funding of $125,000, and Phase II contracts last for 24 months with a maximum funding of $750,000 - $1.5 million.
Opportunity for Continued Technology Development Post-Phase II:
The NASA SBIR/STTR Program currently has in place two initiatives for supporting its small business partners past the basic Phase I and Phase II elements of the program that emphasize opportunities for commercialization. Specifically, the NASA SBIR/STTR Program has the Phase II Enhancement (Phase II-E) and Phase II eXpanded (Phase II-X) contract options.
Please review the links below to obtain more information on the SBIR/STTR programs.
Provides an overview of the SBIR and STTR programs as implemented by NASA
Provides access to the annual SBIR/STTR Solicitations containing detailed information on the program eligibility requirements, proposal instructions and research topics and subtopics
Schedule and links for the SBIR/STTR solicitations and selection announcements
Federal and non-Federal sources of assistance for small business
Search our complete archive of awarded project abstracts to learn about what NASA has funded
Still have questions? Visit the program FAQs
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