NASA markets include planned airborne metane DIAL systems and eventually space-based sensors. These applications are all for low-volume high value systems, which makes DIAL instruments a viable product for small business. Methane is cited as an important atmospheric variable by several panel reports in the Decadal Survey for Earth Science Applications from Space. NASA's plan for climate-centric investigations recognizes the importance of CH4 and discusses the potential for capability on the follow-on to OCO-2. A U.S. Carbon Cycle Science Plan currently under development recognizes the importance of CH4 and emphasizes the importance of an integrated system to collect and maintain the essential data that drive scientific understanding. The laser source proposed under this SBIR directly addresses these needs. Methane lidar systems are being deployed for commercial gas leak detection, mainly in Europe, and as airborne pollution sensors and for wide area characterization of methane atmospheric content in support of global warming research. The major contributors in this area are in Germany and France. Currently there is little analogous work in the US. The sensor developed under this SBIR program is designed primarily for airborne deployment. WIth increased exploitation of natural gas reserves detection of leaks from wells and pipe lines is becoming increasingly more important. We anticipate that successful demonstration of airborne methane DAIL by NASA will introduce this technique to the commercial sector. Energy companies, state and national government are potential customers for airborne DIAL systems. National governments of energy producing nations also represent a rich market for this technology.
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