Space/Aircraft Blue Laser for Underwater Ocean Science, Sensing, and Communications

Fibertek proposes a versatile blue laser technology with applications in NASA atmospheric and ocean science, as well as Navy/DoD bathymetry, submarine communications, and underwater threat sensing. The focus of Phase 1 is to establish the feasibility of this technology for Phase 2 development of a space TRL 4/5 laser optical module. Key points: • Support for NASA Science and DoD aircraft/spacecraft applications. • Space-capable laser: Utilizes Fibertek's core space laser design methods, with potential for high reliability. • Efficiency and size: The proposed laser is potentially 5x more efficient, 2-3x smaller in SWaP (Size, Weight, and Power), and significantly less complex than current state-of-the-art blue laser lidar/comms. • Program goals: Rapidly mature a minimal viable blue laser optical module to TRL 5 by 2028, establishing feasibility for space missions. • Phase II deliverable: A 473 nm blue laser that can be integrated into existing NASA aircraft lidar systems to enable ocean lidar missions. • Data utilization: Aircraft data can be used to model high-altitude and space-based ocean lidar systems using quantified ocean lidar data.