{"project":{"acronym":"","projectId":90074,"title":"High-Gain, Low-Excess-Noise APD Arrays for Near-Single-Photon-Sensitive LADAR","primaryTaxonomyNodes":[{"taxonomyNodeId":10774,"taxonomyRootId":8816,"parentNodeId":10770,"level":3,"code":"TX09.4.4","title":"Atmosphere and Surface Characterization","definition":"Atmosphere and surface characterization includes modeling of atmospheric and surface conditions with sufficient engineering fidelity to ensure robust atmospheric transit in the presence of uncertainties as well as precision landing and appropriate hazard avoidance.","exampleTechnologies":"Descent sensors to detect the surface and determine altitude and velocity, automated systems to convert orbital data to onboard maps, advanced sensors for real-time three dimensional (3D) terrain mapping, advanced sensors for terrain imaging and surface and subsurface characterization","hasChildren":false,"hasInteriorContent":true}],"startTrl":2,"currentTrl":3,"endTrl":3,"benefits":"Missions to solar systems bodies must meet increasingly ambitious objectives requiring highly reliable soft landing, precision landing, and hazard avoidance capabilities. Robotic missions to the Moon and Mars demand landing at predesignated sites of high scientific value near hazardous terrain features such as escarpments, craters, slopes, and rocks, require large-format LADAR with high resolution. Other applications include: hazard avoidance, navigation, docking, LIDAR, and optical communications.
The discovery of increasing uses of and diverse applications for LIDAR data has led clients to press LIDAR providers for more accurate data with better classification results. With better accuracy, it will be possible for LIDAR providers to create new and improved methodologies, thereby improving their ability to deliver quantifiable data. Currently, the top three global uses of LIDAR data are: 1) topographic mapping; 2) flood risk assessments; and 3) watershed analysis. Natural resource applications in geology, water, and forestry are expected to increase in demand, and hydrology / flood applications will continue to grow, as well as power utility applications. In addition to these top-three expected growth areas, other applications include automobile collision avoidance, autonomous navigation, and others.","description":"One of the challenges facing missions to other planetary bodies including Earth's Moon, Mars, Venus, Titan, Europa; and proximity operations (including sampling and landing) on small bodies such as asteroids and comets' is the ability to provide accurate altimetry for descent, then assess safe landing sites by surveying the landscape. To address NASA's need for space-hardened planetary entry, descent, and landing (EDL) and proximity-operations sensors, a low-cost, high-pixel-density avalanche photodiode detector array technology will be developed that is sensitive in the 0.9-μm to 1.7-μm spectral range and when operated at room temperature, can achieve nearly noiseless avalanche gain, allowing for near-single-photon sensitivity. In Phase I, a series of detector structures will be grown, fabricated, and tested. The performance of the detectors will be used to predict performance of the arrays when coupled to low-noise readout integrated circuits. Single element devices coupled to low-noise amplifiers will be used to validate the predictive models.","startYear":2016,"startMonth":6,"endYear":2017,"endMonth":6,"statusDescription":"Completed","principalInvestigators":[{"contactId":21641,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Andrew","lastName":"Huntington","fullName":"Andrew Huntington","fullNameInverted":"Huntington, Andrew","primaryEmail":"andrewh@voxtel-inc.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 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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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