Imagine a laser scanner that can map dust and clouds in the air, but it's small enough to fit in a backpack and uses very little power. Current versions are too bulky and power-hungry for space travel, so this work shrinks the tech down. It's designed to survive freezing temperatures, like a high-tech flashlight that works in the deepest freeze of a Martian winter.
Current atmospheric LIDARs are too heavy and consume too much power for planetary missions. This makes it difficult to study Martian dust and clouds without compromising the rover's energy and weight budget.
A set of high-TRL building blocks (Si PMT, free-form optics) and an Earth-based prototype LIDAR to validate these technologies.
If you are a rover manufacturer dealing with strict weight limits for planetary payloads — this project developed a miniaturized LIDAR that weighs around 6 kg and consumes only 15 Watt. This allows for precise atmospheric mapping without draining the vehicle's battery.
If you are an equipment provider dealing with the need for sensors in extreme polar climates — this project developed athermalized optics capable of operating below -40 ⁰C. This ensures reliable aerosol and cloud data collection in the harshest Earth environments.
If you are a component producer dealing with the demand for smaller, more efficient light-detection systems — this project developed the use of Si PMT and free-form optics to reduce instrument size. This enables the creation of a more compact, low-power laser scanning prototype.
Based on available project data, there is no specific pricing or cost information provided for the miniaturized LIDAR.
The project focuses on miniaturization and increasing the TRL of building blocks. Based on available project data, the goal is to move from research components to a validated Earth model prototype.
Based on available project data, specific IP or licensing agreements are not mentioned; the project is funded under a HORIZON-RIA scheme.
The system is designed for easy integration by targeting a mass of 6 kg and a power consumption of 15 Watt, while operating at temperatures below -40 ⁰C.
The project period runs from 2022-12-01 to 2025-10-31, focusing on increasing the TRL of the building blocks and creating a prototype.
The consortium consists of 6 partners across 5 countries, showing a strong international research base. With a 33% industry ratio (including 2 SMEs), the project balances academic research from 2 universities and 2 research centers with practical industrial application, led by the Spanish national aerospace institute (INTA).
Contact INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE TECNICA AEROESPACIAL ESTEBAN TERRADAS
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