Modeling of an Adjustable Beam Solid State Light

This project can provide a demonstration of how to reduce risk in development of engineered lighting systems for operations and habitats.  Developing optical models before a light source is fabricated can be an immediate benefit to Orion and ISS for optimization of standards and end item specifications.  It especially can be beneficial to projects that pose increased risk to the crew because of unknown or unpredictable operational lighting conditions.  It can also help NASA increase the operational capability of spacecraft lighting systems while reducing the number of different types of lights that are needed to accommodate the wide range of interior and exterior operational tasks.  The project will also demonstrate the advantage of modeling a light source before requirements are developed to increase the chances that lighting requirements will produce the intended product.

This project can benefit Human Spaceflight exploration and the Evolvable Mars Campaign by demonstrating the ability of a "one light source does it all" approach.  If NASA is able to develop a modular, smart, adaptable lighting technology, the same comprehensive system can be installed throughout NASA exploration spacecraft.   NASA can approach spacecraft architecture discussions from the perspective that the technology to make a lighting system fully adaptable to the needs of the crew is a standard solution with an approved standard system of parts and lighting system controls.  By standardizing to a highly adaptable system, NASA can minimize fabrication of many different solutions (individual model numbers) and lighting control algorithms.  Training and operations of spacecraft lighting can be standardized.   Lifecycle costs and sparing can be simplified.  By creating a flexible automated system that provides the range of lighting needed for tasks, NASA can also control the power budget for crewed tasks.

Adaptable lighting systems are a benefit to the commercial spaceflight industry servicing human spaceflight agendas.  Commercial vendors can offer their passengers innovative lighting solutions that anticipate the variety of task lighting needs.  Commercial vendors can also realize savings in weight and power usage by implementing a system that puts the light exactly where it needs to be while minimizing wasted energy.

This technology can benefit multiple Federal agencies and consumer markets.  The FAA will potentially benefit by developing smart aircraft and airfield lighting systems.  Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) (automotive headlamp design) will benefit by making light sources for car headlamps that meet highway safety constraints but can dynamically adapt spot and flood to reduce glare related highway accidents.  National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is benefited by incorporation of dynamic roadway lighting that adjusts beam patterns for the current highway traffic.  Department of Energy (DOE) is benefited by introduction of smart, adaptable, modular lighting that can be implemented by commercial, institutional, and lighting utilities to reduce the U.S. energy footprint.