Ghost imaging is an optical imaging technique that utilizes the correlations between optical fields in two channels. One of the channels contains the object, however lacks any spatial resolution. In the other, empty channel a space-resolving optical detection is allowed. The image is reconstructed by correlating the signals from two channels. In the original implementation, the channels had to be coupled to quantum-correlated (entangled) optical fields. Later it was shown that this approach could also work with ordinary thermal light (e.g., star light), which also possesses correlation properties. However the ghost imaging geometry remains poorly compatible with the imaging of astronomical objects. Specifically, creating the correlated optical channels requires a beam splitter to be placed between the source and the object. The study team recently re-examined this requirement and found a possibility to avoid it, therefore potentially opening the doors to the ghost-imaging of distant objects using natural light. The key to the proposed approach is the understanding that an optical mode can be coupled in two channels not only by splitting its amplitude with a beam splitter, but also by sub-mode detection, which occurs naturally when the object is smaller than the transverse coherence length. In Phase-I the team will discuss the requirements arising for this type of ghost imaging and theoretically validate the novel approach.
","benefits":"Potential benefits of the application of ghost imaging in astronomy and astrophysics include the enhanced resolution and broader range imaging of extra-terrestrial objects, such as Earth-like planets (including those near bright stars), black holes, and dust or gas clouds. Optical imaging in astronomy will remain an active area of NASA's deep space exploration efforts for many years to come, and developing a novel architecture geared to provide new or enhanced data will definitely have a high impact. Practical applications of conventional and computational ghost imaging is an active area of research in the engineering community, including JPL (stand-off sensing instruments for DARPA). This interest is justified the reduced optical and photodetector complexities inherent in ghost imaging. However, a thorough feasibility study is required prior to launching a large-scale effort focused on astronomy and astrophysics applications. We propose to carry out such a study and present our recommendations by the Phase II start, as to whether such an effort would be practical at the present level of technology.
","releaseStatus":"Released","status":"Completed","viewCount":670,"destinationType":["Earth","Foundational_Knowledge"],"trlBegin":1,"trlCurrent":2,"trlEnd":2,"lastUpdated":"02/13/26","favorited":false,"detailedFunding":false,"projectContacts":[{"contactId":123032,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Dmitry","lastName":"Strekalov","fullName":"Dmitry V Strekalov","fullNameInverted":"Strekalov, Dmitry V","middleInitial":"V","email":"dmitry.v.strekalov@jpl.nasa.gov","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","projectContactRole":"Principal_Investigator","projectContactId":537307,"projectId":4367,"programContactRolePretty":"","projectContactRolePretty":"Principal Investigator"}],"programContacts":[{"contactId":233104,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"John","lastName":"Nelson","fullName":"John C Nelson","fullNameInverted":"Nelson, John C","middleInitial":"C","email":"john.c.nelson@nasa.gov","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","programContactRole":"Program_Director","programContactId":331,"programId":68,"programContactRolePretty":"Program Director","projectContactRolePretty":""},{"contactId":159179,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Gary","lastName":"Fleming","fullName":"Gary A Fleming","fullNameInverted":"Fleming, Gary A","middleInitial":"A","email":"gary.a.fleming@nasa.gov","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","programContactRole":"Program_Manager","programContactId":333,"programId":68,"programContactRolePretty":"Program Manager","projectContactRolePretty":""}],"leadOrganization":{"organizationId":4946,"organizationName":"Jet Propulsion Laboratory","acronym":"JPL","organizationType":"FFRDC_2fUARC","city":"Pasadena","stateTerritoryId":59,"stateTerritory":{"abbreviation":"CA","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"California","stateTerritoryId":59,"isTerritory":false},"country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"zipCode":"91109","projectId":4367,"projectOrganizationId":565074,"organizationRole":"Lead_Organization","canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"Lead Organization","organizationTypePretty":"FFRDC/UARC"},"otherOrganizations":[{"organizationId":4946,"organizationName":"Jet Propulsion Laboratory","acronym":"JPL","organizationType":"FFRDC_2fUARC","city":"Pasadena","stateTerritoryId":59,"stateTerritory":{"abbreviation":"CA","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"California","stateTerritoryId":59,"isTerritory":false},"country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"zipCode":"91109","projectId":4367,"projectOrganizationId":565074,"organizationRole":"Lead_Organization","canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"Lead Organization","organizationTypePretty":"FFRDC/UARC"},{"organizationId":2461,"organizationName":"Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light","organizationType":"Non_Profit_Institution","city":"Erlangen","stateTerritoryId":60,"stateTerritory":{"country":{"abbreviation":"DE","countryId":83,"name":"Germany"},"name":"Outside the United States","stateTerritoryId":60,"isTerritory":false},"country":{"abbreviation":"DE","countryId":83,"name":"Germany"},"countryId":83,"projectId":4367,"projectOrganizationId":565075,"organizationRole":"Supporting_Organization","canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"Supporting Organization","organizationTypePretty":"Non-Profit Institution"}],"primaryTx":{"taxonomyNodeId":11127,"taxonomyRootId":8817,"parentNodeId":11122,"code":"TX05.1.5","title":"Atmospheric Mitigation","description":"Atmospheric mitigation measures and models the atmospheric channel and its effects on optical propagation and mitigates 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","level":3,"hasChildren":false,"selected":false,"isPrimary":true,"hasInteriorContent":true},"primaryTxTree":[[{"taxonomyNodeId":11121,"taxonomyRootId":8817,"code":"TX05","title":"Communications, Navigation, and Orbital Debris Tracking and Characterization Systems","level":1,"hasChildren":true,"selected":false,"hasInteriorContent":true},{"taxonomyNodeId":11122,"taxonomyRootId":8817,"parentNodeId":11121,"code":"TX05.1","title":"Optical Communications","description":"Optical communications includes technologies required to make communications with light practical and to take advantage of the virtually unconstrained bandwidth available in the optical spectrum.","level":2,"hasChildren":true,"selected":false,"hasInteriorContent":true},{"taxonomyNodeId":11127,"taxonomyRootId":8817,"parentNodeId":11122,"code":"TX05.1.5","title":"Atmospheric Mitigation","description":"Atmospheric mitigation measures and models the atmospheric channel and its effects on optical propagation and mitigates 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","level":3,"hasChildren":false,"selected":true,"hasInteriorContent":true}]],"technologyOutcomes":[{"technologyOutcomeId":89862,"projectId":4367,"project":{"projectId":4367,"title":"Ghost Imaging of Space Objects","startDate":"2011-09-01","startYear":2011,"startMonth":9,"endDate":"2012-09-01","endYear":2012,"endMonth":9,"programId":68,"program":{"ableToSelect":false,"acronym":"NIAC","isActive":true,"description":"The NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Program nurtures visionary ideas that could transform future NASA missions with the creation of breakthroughs - radically better or entirely new aerospace concepts - while engaging America's innovators and entrepreneurs as partners in the journey. NIAC projects study innovative, technically credible, advanced concepts that could one day \"Change the Possible\" in aerospace. The program is run from NASA Headquarters, Space Technology Mission Directorate.","parentProgram":{"ableToSelect":false,"isActive":true,"description":"Catalyst is a portfolio of early stage programs that specialize in different innovation constituencies and mechanisms to push the state of the art in aerospace technology development","programId":92327,"responsibleMd":{"canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"","organizationTypePretty":""},"title":"Catalyst","manageGaps":false,"acronymOrTitle":"Catalyst"},"parentProgramId":92327,"programId":68,"responsibleMd":{"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","acronym":"STMD","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"","organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"responsibleMdOffice":4875,"stockImageFileId":36657,"title":"NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts","manageGaps":false,"acronymOrTitle":"NIAC"},"description":"Ghost imaging is an optical imaging technique that utilizes the correlations between optical fields in two channels. One of the channels contains the object, however lacks any spatial resolution. In the other, empty channel a space-resolving optical detection is allowed. The image is reconstructed by correlating the signals from two channels. In the original implementation, the channels had to be coupled to quantum-correlated (entangled) optical fields. Later it was shown that this approach could also work with ordinary thermal light (e.g., star light), which also possesses correlation properties. However the ghost imaging geometry remains poorly compatible with the imaging of astronomical objects. Specifically, creating the correlated optical channels requires a beam splitter to be placed between the source and the object. The study team recently re-examined this requirement and found a possibility to avoid it, therefore potentially opening the doors to the ghost-imaging of distant objects using natural light. The key to the proposed approach is the understanding that an optical mode can be coupled in two channels not only by splitting its amplitude with a beam splitter, but also by sub-mode detection, which occurs naturally when the object is smaller than the transverse coherence length. In Phase-I the team will discuss the requirements arising for this type of ghost imaging and theoretically validate the novel approach.
","benefits":"Potential benefits of the application of ghost imaging in astronomy and astrophysics include the enhanced resolution and broader range imaging of extra-terrestrial objects, such as Earth-like planets (including those near bright stars), black holes, and dust or gas clouds. Optical imaging in astronomy will remain an active area of NASA's deep space exploration efforts for many years to come, and developing a novel architecture geared to provide new or enhanced data will definitely have a high impact. Practical applications of conventional and computational ghost imaging is an active area of research in the engineering community, including JPL (stand-off sensing instruments for DARPA). This interest is justified the reduced optical and photodetector complexities inherent in ghost imaging. However, a thorough feasibility study is required prior to launching a large-scale effort focused on astronomy and astrophysics applications. We propose to carry out such a study and present our recommendations by the Phase II start, as to whether such an effort would be practical at the present level of technology.
","releaseStatus":"Released","status":"Completed","destinationType":["Earth","Foundational_Knowledge"],"trlBegin":1,"trlCurrent":2,"trlEnd":2,"favorited":false,"detailedFunding":false,"programContacts":[{"contactId":159179,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Gary","lastName":"Fleming","fullName":"Gary A Fleming","fullNameInverted":"Fleming, Gary A","middleInitial":"A","email":"gary.a.fleming@nasa.gov","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","programContactRole":"Program_Manager","programContactId":333,"programId":68,"programContactRolePretty":"Program Manager","projectContactRolePretty":""},{"contactId":233104,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"John","lastName":"Nelson","fullName":"John C Nelson","fullNameInverted":"Nelson, John C","middleInitial":"C","email":"john.c.nelson@nasa.gov","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","programContactRole":"Program_Director","programContactId":331,"programId":68,"programContactRolePretty":"Program Director","projectContactRolePretty":""}],"endDateString":"Sep 2012","startDateString":"Sep 2011"},"technologyOutcomeDate":"2012-09-01","technologyOutcomePath":"Closed_Out","details":"During our Phase I NIAC research eort we have investigated the possibility of performing intensity correlation\\\\ghost imaging\" of dark amplitude and phase objects in space illuminated by thermal light sources (stars). Our approach hinges on replacing the beam splitter, indispensable for thermal light ghost imaging but infeasible for space imaging, with the object itself. The absorptive and refractive properties of the object are predicted to imprint themselves on the intensity correlation properties of the transmitted and scattered light and could be extracted from the correlation measurements. To test this concept we limited our discussion to fully analytical model relying on a two-dimensional source and an object with Gaussian distribution of luminosity, absorption or phase delay (the latter representing a thin lens) in paraxial approximation. We demonstrated the variation of the far-field speckle size due to the presence of the object. We have shown that the speckle size variation is a non-trivial function of the object's properties and position. In some cases it allows us to distinguish dierent phase and amplitude objects even when they produce very similar shadows and can hardly be distinguished by a direct intensity measurement. Thus the correlation measurement provides a complimentary information to a direct observation. This understanding has encouraged us to apply our analytical model to a realistic space object imaging scenario, such as the Kepler mission. Our prediction for the flux variation very close to the actual observation. It also predicted a similar (about 10\\xa14) fractional variation of the speckle size. We have carried out a preliminary SNR analysis for a correlation measurement, comparing it to a direct °ux measurement. The analysis has shown that, for parameters typical of the Kepler mission, the correlation measurement SNR would be signi\\xafcantly worse than the intensity measurement SNR. This analysis however does not include certain instrumental types of noise, that may be detrimental for the intensity measurement more than for the correlation measurement and could potentially balance or even reverse the SNRs inequality. These are the dark noise and variation of detector's responsivity (quantum effciency) due to environmental °uctuations and aging. The ambient background light is another important factor that needs to be considered. We plan to include these factors in the advanced noise model which will be developed in the follow-on research.","infoText":"Closed out","infoTextExtra":"Project closed out","isIndirect":false,"infusionPretty":"","isBiDirectional":false,"technologyOutcomeDateString":"Sep 2012","technologyOutcomeDateFullString":"September 2012","technologyOutcomePartnerPretty":"","technologyOutcomePathPretty":"Closed Out","technologyOutcomeRationalePretty":""},{"technologyOutcomeId":89863,"projectId":4367,"project":{"projectId":4367,"title":"Ghost Imaging of Space Objects","startDate":"2011-09-01","startYear":2011,"startMonth":9,"endDate":"2012-09-01","endYear":2012,"endMonth":9,"programId":68,"program":{"ableToSelect":false,"acronym":"NIAC","isActive":true,"description":"The NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Program nurtures visionary ideas that could transform future NASA missions with the creation of breakthroughs - radically better or entirely new aerospace concepts - while engaging America's innovators and entrepreneurs as partners in the journey. NIAC projects study innovative, technically credible, advanced concepts that could one day \"Change the Possible\" in aerospace. The program is run from NASA Headquarters, Space Technology Mission Directorate.","parentProgram":{"ableToSelect":false,"isActive":true,"description":"Catalyst is a portfolio of early stage programs that specialize in different innovation constituencies and mechanisms to push the state of the art in aerospace technology development","programId":92327,"responsibleMd":{"canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"","organizationTypePretty":""},"title":"Catalyst","manageGaps":false,"acronymOrTitle":"Catalyst"},"parentProgramId":92327,"programId":68,"responsibleMd":{"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","acronym":"STMD","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"","organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"responsibleMdOffice":4875,"stockImageFileId":36657,"title":"NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts","manageGaps":false,"acronymOrTitle":"NIAC"},"description":"Ghost imaging is an optical imaging technique that utilizes the correlations between optical fields in two channels. One of the channels contains the object, however lacks any spatial resolution. In the other, empty channel a space-resolving optical detection is allowed. The image is reconstructed by correlating the signals from two channels. In the original implementation, the channels had to be coupled to quantum-correlated (entangled) optical fields. Later it was shown that this approach could also work with ordinary thermal light (e.g., star light), which also possesses correlation properties. However the ghost imaging geometry remains poorly compatible with the imaging of astronomical objects. Specifically, creating the correlated optical channels requires a beam splitter to be placed between the source and the object. The study team recently re-examined this requirement and found a possibility to avoid it, therefore potentially opening the doors to the ghost-imaging of distant objects using natural light. The key to the proposed approach is the understanding that an optical mode can be coupled in two channels not only by splitting its amplitude with a beam splitter, but also by sub-mode detection, which occurs naturally when the object is smaller than the transverse coherence length. In Phase-I the team will discuss the requirements arising for this type of ghost imaging and theoretically validate the novel approach.
","benefits":"Potential benefits of the application of ghost imaging in astronomy and astrophysics include the enhanced resolution and broader range imaging of extra-terrestrial objects, such as Earth-like planets (including those near bright stars), black holes, and dust or gas clouds. Optical imaging in astronomy will remain an active area of NASA's deep space exploration efforts for many years to come, and developing a novel architecture geared to provide new or enhanced data will definitely have a high impact. Practical applications of conventional and computational ghost imaging is an active area of research in the engineering community, including JPL (stand-off sensing instruments for DARPA). This interest is justified the reduced optical and photodetector complexities inherent in ghost imaging. However, a thorough feasibility study is required prior to launching a large-scale effort focused on astronomy and astrophysics applications. We propose to carry out such a study and present our recommendations by the Phase II start, as to whether such an effort would be practical at the present level of technology.
","releaseStatus":"Released","status":"Completed","destinationType":["Earth","Foundational_Knowledge"],"trlBegin":1,"trlCurrent":2,"trlEnd":2,"favorited":false,"detailedFunding":false,"programContacts":[{"contactId":159179,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Gary","lastName":"Fleming","fullName":"Gary A Fleming","fullNameInverted":"Fleming, Gary A","middleInitial":"A","email":"gary.a.fleming@nasa.gov","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","programContactRole":"Program_Manager","programContactId":333,"programId":68,"programContactRolePretty":"Program Manager","projectContactRolePretty":""},{"contactId":233104,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"John","lastName":"Nelson","fullName":"John C Nelson","fullNameInverted":"Nelson, John C","middleInitial":"C","email":"john.c.nelson@nasa.gov","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","programContactRole":"Program_Director","programContactId":331,"programId":68,"programContactRolePretty":"Program Director","projectContactRolePretty":""}],"endDateString":"Sep 2012","startDateString":"Sep 2011"},"technologyOutcomePartner":"Other","technologyOutcomeDate":"2012-09-01","technologyOutcomePath":"Advanced_To","infoText":"Advanced within the program","infoTextExtra":"Another project within the program","isIndirect":false,"infusionPretty":"","isBiDirectional":false,"technologyOutcomeDateString":"Sep 2012","technologyOutcomeDateFullString":"September 2012","technologyOutcomePartnerPretty":"Other","technologyOutcomePathPretty":"Advanced To","technologyOutcomeRationalePretty":""},{"technologyOutcomeId":74217,"projectId":4367,"project":{"projectId":4367,"title":"Ghost Imaging of Space Objects","startDate":"2011-09-01","startYear":2011,"startMonth":9,"endDate":"2012-09-01","endYear":2012,"endMonth":9,"programId":68,"program":{"ableToSelect":false,"acronym":"NIAC","isActive":true,"description":"The NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Program nurtures visionary ideas that could transform future NASA missions with the creation of breakthroughs - radically better or entirely new aerospace concepts - while engaging America's innovators and entrepreneurs as partners in the journey. NIAC projects study innovative, technically credible, advanced concepts that could one day \"Change the Possible\" in aerospace. The program is run from NASA Headquarters, Space Technology Mission Directorate.","parentProgram":{"ableToSelect":false,"isActive":true,"description":"Catalyst is a portfolio of early stage programs that specialize in different innovation constituencies and mechanisms to push the state of the art in aerospace technology development","programId":92327,"responsibleMd":{"canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"","organizationTypePretty":""},"title":"Catalyst","manageGaps":false,"acronymOrTitle":"Catalyst"},"parentProgramId":92327,"programId":68,"responsibleMd":{"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","acronym":"STMD","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"","organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"responsibleMdOffice":4875,"stockImageFileId":36657,"title":"NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts","manageGaps":false,"acronymOrTitle":"NIAC"},"description":"Ghost imaging is an optical imaging technique that utilizes the correlations between optical fields in two channels. One of the channels contains the object, however lacks any spatial resolution. In the other, empty channel a space-resolving optical detection is allowed. The image is reconstructed by correlating the signals from two channels. In the original implementation, the channels had to be coupled to quantum-correlated (entangled) optical fields. Later it was shown that this approach could also work with ordinary thermal light (e.g., star light), which also possesses correlation properties. However the ghost imaging geometry remains poorly compatible with the imaging of astronomical objects. Specifically, creating the correlated optical channels requires a beam splitter to be placed between the source and the object. The study team recently re-examined this requirement and found a possibility to avoid it, therefore potentially opening the doors to the ghost-imaging of distant objects using natural light. The key to the proposed approach is the understanding that an optical mode can be coupled in two channels not only by splitting its amplitude with a beam splitter, but also by sub-mode detection, which occurs naturally when the object is smaller than the transverse coherence length. In Phase-I the team will discuss the requirements arising for this type of ghost imaging and theoretically validate the novel approach.
","benefits":"Potential benefits of the application of ghost imaging in astronomy and astrophysics include the enhanced resolution and broader range imaging of extra-terrestrial objects, such as Earth-like planets (including those near bright stars), black holes, and dust or gas clouds. Optical imaging in astronomy will remain an active area of NASA's deep space exploration efforts for many years to come, and developing a novel architecture geared to provide new or enhanced data will definitely have a high impact. Practical applications of conventional and computational ghost imaging is an active area of research in the engineering community, including JPL (stand-off sensing instruments for DARPA). This interest is justified the reduced optical and photodetector complexities inherent in ghost imaging. However, a thorough feasibility study is required prior to launching a large-scale effort focused on astronomy and astrophysics applications. We propose to carry out such a study and present our recommendations by the Phase II start, as to whether such an effort would be practical at the present level of technology.
","releaseStatus":"Released","status":"Completed","destinationType":["Earth","Foundational_Knowledge"],"trlBegin":1,"trlCurrent":2,"trlEnd":2,"favorited":false,"detailedFunding":false,"programContacts":[{"contactId":159179,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Gary","lastName":"Fleming","fullName":"Gary A Fleming","fullNameInverted":"Fleming, Gary A","middleInitial":"A","email":"gary.a.fleming@nasa.gov","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","programContactRole":"Program_Manager","programContactId":333,"programId":68,"programContactRolePretty":"Program Manager","projectContactRolePretty":""},{"contactId":233104,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"John","lastName":"Nelson","fullName":"John C Nelson","fullNameInverted":"Nelson, John C","middleInitial":"C","email":"john.c.nelson@nasa.gov","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","programContactRole":"Program_Director","programContactId":331,"programId":68,"programContactRolePretty":"Program Director","projectContactRolePretty":""}],"endDateString":"Sep 2012","startDateString":"Sep 2011"},"relatedProjectId":91324,"relatedProject":{"projectId":91324,"title":"Terrain Relative Navigation Descent Imager (TRNDI) Testing","startDate":"2012-03-23","startYear":2012,"startMonth":3,"endDate":"2017-08-14","endYear":2017,"endMonth":8,"programId":72,"program":{"ableToSelect":false,"acronym":"FO","isActive":true,"description":"The President’s 2010 National Space Policy:
“A robust and competitive commercial space sector is vital to continued progress in space. The United States is committed to encouraging and facilitating the growth of a U.S. commercial space sector that supports U.S. needs, is globally competitive, and advances U.S. leadership in the generation of new markets and innovation-driven entrepreneurship.”
Flight Opportunities directly answers the call of the President’s policy through the acquisition of suborbital launch services on commercial suborbital launch vehicles. By purchasing flight opportunities on U.S. commercial vehicles the Flight Opportunities program is encouraging and facilitating the growth of this market while simultaneously providing pathways to advance the technology readiness of a wide range of new launch vehicle and space technologies.
One of the greatest challenges NASA faces in incorporating advanced technologies into future missions is bridging the mid-technology readiness level (TRL) (4-7) gap (or “valley of death”), between component or prototype testing in a lab or ground facility setting, and the final infusion of a new technology into critical path exploration or science mission development. To cross this gap, the proposed new technology must pass system level testing in a relevant operational environment. Maturing a space technology to flight readiness status through relevant environment testing is a significant challenge from cost, schedule, and technical risk perspectives.
FO has its lineage from the former Innovative Partnership Program (IPP) of FY09, specifically the Facilitated Access to the Space Environment for Technology (FAST) project and the Commercial Reusable Suborbital Research (CRuSR) project. The FAST and CRuSR activities are continued within the FO Program, as the parabolic and suborbital, flight campaigns, respectively. The flights will provide opportunities to expose new technologies to low-g environments and/or high altitude environments. The intent is to demonstrate and mature various technologies for future applications. These emerging technologies will come from the nine other programs within the Space Technology Mission Directorate, from the other Mission Directorates and external sources (other Government Agencies, Academia, and Commercial Industries.
The NASA Flight Opportunities (FO) Program has been established as a part of the Space Technologies Mission Directorate (STMD) to rapidly develop, demonstrate and infuse revolutionary, high-payoff technologies through transparent, collaborative partnerships, expanding the boundaries of the aerospace enterprise by providing the nation’s investments in space technologies to make a difference in the world around us. FO focuses on maturation of technologies that are of benefit to multiple customers, to flight readiness status with an outcome of Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 or higher. These crosscutting capabilities are those that advance multiple future aerospace missions, including flight projects where near-space or in-space demonstration is needed before the capability can transition to direct mission application. Maturing technologies to a higher TRL status through relevant flight opportunities testing is a significant challenge from both a cost and risk perspective.
","programId":72,"responsibleMd":{"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","acronym":"STMD","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"","organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"responsibleMdOffice":4875,"stockImageFileId":36656,"title":"Flight Opportunities","manageGaps":false,"acronymOrTitle":"FO"},"description":"The Vision Navigation System (VNS) project plans to perform flight demonstration of cross-cutting vision based navigation and hazard avoidance in support of precision planetary landing. The proposed effort will mature the VNS technology to TRL 6 through flight demonstrations on a suborbital reusable launch vehicle (sRLV). ","benefits":"The vision-based navigation and hazard avoidance technology will benefit future NASA missions, other government agencies such as the Dept. of Defense, and the commercial space industry by reducing the risks associated with precision planetary landings.","releaseStatus":"Released","status":"Completed","trlBegin":4,"trlCurrent":4,"trlEnd":4,"favorited":false,"detailedFunding":false,"programContacts":[{"contactId":171494,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Gregory","lastName":"Peters","fullName":"Gregory H Peters","fullNameInverted":"Peters, Gregory H","middleInitial":"H","email":"gregory.h.peters@nasa.gov","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","programContactRole":"Program_Manager","programContactId":299,"programId":72,"programContactRolePretty":"Program Manager","projectContactRolePretty":""},{"contactId":100303,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Danielle","lastName":"Mcculloch","fullName":"Danielle D Mcculloch","fullNameInverted":"Mcculloch, Danielle D","middleInitial":"D","email":"danielle.mcculloch@nasa.gov","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","programContactRole":"Program_Director","programContactId":293,"programId":72,"programContactRolePretty":"Program Director","projectContactRolePretty":""},{"contactId":100303,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Danielle","lastName":"Mcculloch","fullName":"Danielle D Mcculloch","fullNameInverted":"Mcculloch, Danielle D","middleInitial":"D","email":"danielle.mcculloch@nasa.gov","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","programContactRole":"Program_Manager","programContactId":195,"programId":72,"programContactRolePretty":"Program Manager","projectContactRolePretty":""}],"endDateString":"Aug 2017","startDateString":"Mar 2012"},"technologyOutcomePartner":"Other","technologyOutcomeDate":"2012-03-23","technologyOutcomePath":"Advanced_To","infoText":"Advanced within the program","infoTextExtra":"Another project within the program (Terrain Relative Navigation Descent Imager (TRNDI) Testing)","isIndirect":true,"infusionPretty":"","isBiDirectional":true,"technologyOutcomeDateString":"Mar 2012","technologyOutcomeDateFullString":"March 2012","technologyOutcomePartnerPretty":"Other","technologyOutcomePathPretty":"Advanced To","technologyOutcomeRationalePretty":""}],"primaryImage":{"file":{"fileExtension":"jpg","fileId":351622,"presignedUpload":false,"fileSizeString":"0 Byte"},"libraryItemId":351966,"description":"Project Image Ghost Imaging of Space Objects","projectId":4367,"publishedDateString":"","entryDateString":"","libraryItemTypePretty":"","modifiedDateString":""},"libraryItems":[{"file":{"fileExtension":"jpg","fileId":351622,"fileName":"15122","fileSize":157400,"objectId":351966,"objectType":"libraryItemFiles","presignedUpload":false,"fileSizeString":"153.7 KB"},"files":[{"fileExtension":"jpg","fileId":351622,"fileName":"15122","fileSize":157400,"objectId":351966,"objectType":"libraryItemFiles","presignedUpload":false,"fileSizeString":"153.7 KB"}],"libraryItemId":351966,"title":"15122.jpg","description":"Project Image Ghost Imaging of Space Objects","libraryItemType":"Image","projectId":4367,"isPrimary":true,"internalOnly":false,"publishedDateString":"","entryDateString":"01/22/25 01:10 AM","libraryItemTypePretty":"Image","modifiedDateString":"08/22/22 08:59 PM"}],"states":[{"abbreviation":"CA","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"California","stateTerritoryId":59,"isTerritory":false}],"endDateString":"Sep 2012","startDateString":"Sep 2011"}}