NASA Technology Roadmaps

TA 8: Science Instruments, Observatories, and

Sensor Systems

July 2015
2015 NASA Technology Roadmaps July 2015
TA 8: Science Instruments, Observatories, and Sensor Systems

Foreword
NASA is leading the way with a balanced program of space exploration, aeronautics, and science research.
Success in executing NASA’s ambitious aeronautics activities and space missions requires solutions to difficult
technical challenges that build on proven capabilities and require the development of new capabilities. These
new capabilities arise from the development of novel cutting-edge technologies.
The promising new technology candidates that will help NASA achieve our extraordinary missions are identified
in our Technology Roadmaps. The roadmaps are a set of documents that consider a wide range of needed
technology candidates and development pathways for the next 20 years. The roadmaps are a foundational
element of the Strategic Technology Investment Plan (STIP), an actionable plan that lays out the strategy for
developing those technologies essential to the pursuit of NASA’s mission and achievement of National goals.
The STIP provides prioritization of the technology candidates within the roadmaps and guiding principles for
technology investment. The recommendations provided by the National Research Council heavily influence
NASA’s technology prioritization.
NASA’s technology investments are tracked and analyzed in TechPort, a web-based software system that
serves as NASA’s integrated technology data source and decision support tool. Together, the roadmaps, the
STIP, and TechPort provide NASA the ability to manage the technology portfolio in a new way, aligning mission
directorate technology investments to minimize duplication, and lower cost while providing critical capabilities
that support missions, commercial industry, and longer-term National needs.
The 2015 NASA Technology Roadmaps are comprised of 16 sections: The Introduction, Crosscutting
Technologies, and Index; and 15 distinct Technology Area (TA) roadmaps. Crosscutting technology areas, such
as, but not limited to, avionics, autonomy, information technology, radiation, and space weather span across
multiple sections. The introduction provides a description of the crosscutting technologies, and a list of the
technology candidates in each section.

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Table of Contents
Executive Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and Sensors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
8.2 Observatories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
8.3 In-Situ Instruments and Sensors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-11
TA 8 .1: Remote Sensing Instruments and Sensors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-12
TA 8 .2: Observatories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-21
Sub-Goals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-21
TA 8 .3: In-Situ Instruments and Sensors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-27
Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-33
Acronyms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-33
Abbreviations and Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-36
Contributors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-38
Technology Candidate Snapshots. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-39

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Executive Summary
This is Technology Area (TA) 8: Science Instruments, Observatories, and Sensor Systems, one of the 16
sections of the 2015 NASA Technology Roadmaps. The Roadmaps are a set of documents that consider
a wide range of needed technologies and development pathways for the next 20 years (2015-2035). The
roadmaps focus on “applied research” and “development” activities.
The Science Instruments, Observatories, and Sensor Systems TA 8 roadmap leverages previous roadmapping
activities from the 2010 Space Technology Roadmaps and the 2005 NASA Advanced Planning and Integration
Office (APIO) assessments, Advanced Telescopes and Observatories and Science Instruments and Sensors.
The technologies for TA 8 allow information to be gathered about Earth’s atmosphere, space, and other
planets. TA 8 technologies are organized into remote sensing instruments and sensors, observatories, and
in-situ instruments and sensors. Remote sensing instruments and sensors include components, sensors,
and instruments for measuring the spectral, spatial, and other observable properties of a remote target of
interest, both passively and actively, such as through laser- and radar-based approaches. Observatories
include technologies for next-generation telescope systems that collect, concentrate, or transmit photons.
In-situ instruments and sensors include components, sensors, instruments, and sampling technologies for
detecting fields, waves, and particles in the space environment, and for characterizing planetary exospheres,
atmospheres, and surfaces. Technology needs and challenges identified in this document are traceable to
specific NASA missions recommended by the most recent Earth, Planetary, Astrophysics, and Heliophysics
decadal survey reports (“pull technologies”), but some allow new science capabilities and mission concepts
(“push technologies”).

Goals
NASA’s pursuit of science and exploration relies on improving and developing new remote sensing instruments
and sensors, observatories, and sensor technologies. These technologies are necessary to collect and process
scientific data, either to answer compelling science questions as old as humankind (for example, how did our
planetary system form and evolve?) or to provide crucial knowledge to enable robotic missions such as remote
surveys of Martian geology to identify optimal landing sites.

Table 1. Summary of Level 2 TAs

8.0 Science Instruments, Goals: Collect and process scientific data, either to answer compelling science questions as
Observatories, and Sensor old as humankind or to provide crucial knowledge to enable robotic missions.
Systems
8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments/ Sub-Goals: Improve remote sensing capabilities and performance.
Sensors
8.2 Observatories Sub-Goals: Develop larger collecting apertures with better performance and reduced mass to provide
extremely sensitive astronomical observations.
8.3 In-Situ Instruments / Sensors Sub-Goals: Improve in-situ sensing capabilities and performance.

Benefits
The development of science instruments, observatories, and sensor systems technologies will benefit a
range of national needs. Currently, NASA Earth science missions are typically developed collaboratively
with other national and international agencies, universities, and industries. Multiple communities, including
the intelligence community and commercial imaging companies, commonly use observatory and science-
instrument technologies. The primary difference between NASA and other potential beneficiaries is the
operating environment of the technology. For example, astrophysics and astronomical detectors and focal

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planes have similar low-noise sensitivity requirements but different operating environments, such as radiation
hardness. A similar comparison can be made between planetary or heliophysics in-situ sensors and those
used on the battlefield, in a hospital, at port and border checkpoints, or in the transportation area. X-ray mirror
technology can be applied to commercial X-ray microscopes, X-ray lithography, or synchrotron optics. Space
microwave, radar, or terahertz (THz) imaging systems can be applied to numerous government and industrial
applications such as airport security screening and smoke stack plume monitoring; light detection and ranging
(LIDAR) and differential absorption LIDAR (DIAL) remote sensing technology have applications ranging from
three dimensional (3D) surface topography and weather prediction to smoke stack pollution compliance.

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Figure 1. Technology Area Strategic Roadmap TA 8 - 6

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Figure 1. Technology Area Strategic Roadmap TA 8 - 7

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Figure 1. Technology Area Strategic Roadmap TA 8 - 8

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Introduction
The Science Instruments, Observatories, and Sensor Systems technology area (TA) encompasses
technologies to collect disparate types of data from Earth and space. These technologies are either identified
to satisfy a particular mission need (“pull technologies”) or to develop new measurement techniques that
may lead to new scientific discoveries (“push technologies”). This TA is broken into three sub-areas: remote-
sensing instruments and sensors; observatories; and in-situ instruments and sensors. These technologies are
applicable to missions from very small to large.
Remote sensing instruments and sensors includes components, sensors, and instruments sensitive to
electromagnetic radiation, particles, electromagnetic fields, both direct and alternating current, acoustic energy,
seismic energy, or whatever physical phenomenology the science requires. Observatories include technologies
that collect, concentrate, or transmit photons. In-situ instruments and sensors include components, sensors,
and instruments sensitive to fields, waves, and particles that are able to perform in-situ characterization of
planetary samples or phenomena.
The complete Technology Area Breakdown Structure (TABS) for TA 8 is shown in Figure 2.

8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and Sensors

Remote sensing instruments and sensors include components, sensors, and instruments sensitive to
electromagnetic radiation, particles (charged, neutral, dust), electromagnetic fields, both direct current (DC)
and alternating current (AC), acoustic energy, seismic energy, or whatever physical phenomenology the
science requires. These technologies can be grouped into the following general categories:
• 8 .1 .1 Detectors and Focal Planes: Improve sensitivity and operating temperature of single-element
and large-array devices.
• 8 .1 .2 Electronic: Radiation-hardened, extreme environment capable, and data processing
electronics with reduced volume, mass, and power.
• 8 .1 .3 Optical Components: High-throughput optics with large fields of view, high stability,
spectral resolution, and uniformity at many different temperatures.
• 8 .1 .4 Microwave, Millimeter-, and Submillimeter-Waves: Transmitters and receivers: low-
noise amplifier technologies, with reliable low-power high-speed digital- and mixed-signal
processing electronics, and algorithms.
• 8 .1 .5 Lasers: Reliable, highly stable, efficient, radiation hardened, and long lifetime (> 5 years).
• 8 .1 .6 Cryogenic/Thermal: Active technologies used to cool instruments and focal planes, sensors,
and large optical systems.

8.2 Observatories
Observatory technologies are necessary to design, manufacture, test, and operate space telescopes and
antennas, which collect, concentrate, or transmit photons. Observatory technologies enable or enhance large-
aperture monolithic and segmented single apertures as well as structurally connected or free-flying sparse and
interferometric apertures. Applications span the electromagnetic spectrum.
Based on the needs of planned and potential future NASA missions, it is possible to define three specific
enabling observatory technologies:

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Figure 2. Technology Area Breakdown Structure (TABS) for Science Instruments, Observatories, and Sensor Systems
NASA’s technology area breakdown structure (TABS) is in wide use in technology organizations around the globe.
Because of this, any sections that were previously in the structure have not been removed, although some new
areas have been added. Within these roadmaps, there were some sections of the TABS with no identified technology
candidates. This is either because no technologies were identified which coupled with NASA’s mission needs (either push
or pull) within the next twenty years, or because the technologies which were previously in this section are now being
addressed elsewhere in the roadmaps. These sections are noted in gray above and are explained in more detail within
the write-up for this roadmap.

• 8 .2. 1 Mirror Systems: The ability to manufacture and test monolithic and segmented large-mirror
systems that can accommodate normal and grazing incidence in the visible/ultraviolet (UV)/infrared (IR)
and X-ray portions of the spectrum.
• 8 .2 .2 Structures an Antennas: Structures that can support large antennas and hold mirrors in a stable,
strain-free state under the influence of anticipated dynamic and thermal stimuli.
• 8 .2 . Distributed Aperture: For extra-large apertures, a method to create the aperture via deployment,
assembly, or formation flying — where formation-flying technology is an actively controlled virtual
structure.
These technologies support three primary applications: X-ray astronomy and heliophysics; ultraviolet, optical,
and infrared (UVOIR) astronomy and heliophysics; and microwave antennas for Earth science.

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8.3 In-Situ Instruments and Sensors

In-situ instruments and sensors include components, sensors, and instruments sensitive to fields and particles
able to perform in-situ characterization of the space environment and planetary samples. In-situ instruments
and sensors technologies enable or enhance a broad range of planned and potential missions in the next two
decades. In-situ instruments and sensors support comet, Moon, and planetary missions. These technologies
can be grouped into the following general categories:
• 8 .3 .1 Field and Particle Detectors: A variety of instruments aiming to characterize a large, spatially-
rich, and temporally dynamic space environment spanning from Earth’s and planetary ionospheres and
magnetospheres to the solar corona, the heliosphere or heliopause, and the local interstellar medium.
• 8 .3 .2 Fields and Waves: Fields and waves sensors are addressed in section TA 8.3.1 Field and
Particle Detectors, and TA 8.3.3 In-situ (other).
• 8 .3 .3 In-situ (other): In-situ sensor technologies (for chemical, mineralogical, organic, and in-situ
biological samples) include sample handling, preparation, and containment; chemical and mineral
analysis; organic analysis; biological detection and characterization; and planetary protection. These
technologies need to be applied in extreme temperatures, pressures, and environments.

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TA 8.1: Remote Sensing Instruments and

Sensors
Remote sensing instruments are a critical element of NASA’s science enterprise. From laser altimeters
measuring planetary topography to microwave radiometers to measure the salinity of the oceans, these
instruments enable NASA to understand our home planet, the solar system, the Sun, and the rest of the
universe. To continue to advance the science capabilities of future missions, there needs to be further
advancement in remote sensing technologies. There will always be a need for advancement in detectors
and focal planes to improve sensitivity, increase the size of focal planes, increase the wavelength coverage
of detectors, improve the spectral selectivity, and increase their operating temperatures. To improve the
performance of specialized cryogenic detector systems, improvements in cryogenic refrigeration systems will
be important. Advancing other active cooling systems will be required to push the instruments, sensors, large
optics, and structures below the temperature limits of radiators and passive methods. Low power, mass, and
volume processing and memory electronics (much of which is addressed in TA 11) will enable more complex
systems to be affordable. Low power radar electronics and onboard data processing can open new mission
opportunities, including small satellite bus architectures. Advancements in smart instrumentation buses and
interfaces will allow instruments to evolve a “plug and play” approach, improving information and technology
(I&T) cost and schedule and their interfaces with advanced computing and data architectures. Large active
microwave array systems and laser transmitters continue to be a challenge and development will enable
new capabilities not possible from space today. Optical technology development includes both incremental
improvements that further push the state of the art and breakthrough technologies, which can enable entirely
new instruments or even observatory architectures. Development in these areas will be required to advance
the state of the art to meet future needs in remote sensing instruments.

Table 2. Summary of Level 8.1 Sub-Goals, Objectives, Challenges, and Benefits

Level 1
8.0 Science Instruments, Goals: Collect and process scientific data, either to answer compelling science questions as old as
Observatories, and Sensor humankind or to provide crucial knowledge to enable robotic missions.
Systems
Level 2
8.1 Remote Sensing Sub-Goals: Improve remote sensing capabilities and performance.
Instruments / Sensors
Level 3
8.1.1 Detectors and Focal Objectives: Improve sensitivity and operating temperature of single-element and large-array devices.
Planes Challenges: Low-noise, high-speed, and low-power readout integrated circuit (ROIC) electronics.
High quantum efficiency (QE), low noise, high resolution, uniform and stable response, low
power and cost, and high reliability for large array.
Benefits: Provides greater accuracy, improved sensitivity, and better reliability.

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Table 2. Summary of Level 8.1 Sub-Goals, Objectives, Challenges, and Benefits - Continued
Level 3
8.1.2 Electronics Objectives: Develop radiation-hardened electronics with reduced volume, mass, and power that can operate
in extreme temperature ranges.
Develop a smart instrumentation bus and interface to support advanced computing and data
architectures.
Challenges: Onboard data processing of large amounts of data to support applications. Operating and
surviving the harsh temperature ranges encountered by NASA missions.
Definition of the required parameters for self-configuration and the definition of standards to be
supported.
Benefits: Reduces the volume, mass, and power requirements of instrument electronics.
Onboard processing will reduce telemetry requirements for missions.
Smart bus and interfaces will reduce I&T cost and schedule.
8.1.3 Optical Components Objectives: Develop high-throughput optics with high stability, spectral resolution, and uniformity at many
different temperatures.
Challenges: Large, lightweight high performance grazing incidence optics.
Stray light and high performance wavefront control including algorithm development. High
transmission and reflective filters with excellent out-of-band rejection.
Benefits: Improves stray light suppression and increases signal to noise ratio (SNR) of optical instruments.
8.1.4 Microwave, Millimeter, and Objectives: Provide low noise amplifier technologies and high power transmitters with reliable low-power
Submillimeter-Waves high-speed digital- and mixed-signal processing electronics and algorithms.
Challenges: Achieving high transmitter radio frequency (RF) efficiency and low cost packaging.
Benefits: Reduces cost and complexity of future microwave remote sensing systems. Examples of specific
benefits are: remote sensing of all phases of the water cycle from frozen lands, ice, and snow to
soil moisture, ocean temperature, and salinity to rain and cloud distribution.
Enables measurements of other atmospheric constituents like trace gases and temperature
profiling.
Enables mapping capability of global land surface topography of the Earth and other rocky
planets as well as the extent of carbon stored in the global biosphere.
8.1.5 Lasers Objectives: Develop radiation-hardened long-life lasers with increased performance, reliability, stability, and
efficiency.
Challenges: Providing space-qualified laser pump diodes; building space flight-qualifiable LIDAR systems;
fiber lasers capable of high-pulse energy operation; and higher-damage-threshold materials and
coatings.
Benefits: Provides reliable, highly stable, efficient, radiation-hardened, and long-lifetime (> 5 years) lasers
and LIDARs.
8.1.6 Cryogenic / Thermal Objectives: Maintain temperatures for instruments, sensors, large optics, and structures below the
temperature limits of radiators and passive methods.
Reduce power, mass, and exported vibration.
Challenges: Improving thermodynamic efficiency and reliability.
Benefits: Provides low power, lightweight cryogenic and thermal systems with low exported vibration.

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TA 8 .1 .1 Detectors and Focal Plan

Detector and focal-plane technologies are grouped in the following
categories: large-format arrays, spectrally tunable detectors,
polarization-sensitive detectors, photon-counting detectors, radiation-
hardened detectors, sub-Kelvin high-sensitivity detectors, and far-
infrared broadband detector arrays.

Technical Capability Objectives and Challenges

Future science missions share a common need for low-noise, high-
speed, and low-power readout integrated circuit (ROIC) electronics for
large focal-plane instruments. Large-format array technologies require
high quantum efficiency (QE), low noise, high resolution, uniform and Large Format Infrared Astrophysics
stable response, low power and cost, and high reliability. Meeting these Detector Array
challenges will provide these technologies opportunities for infusion
into future missions.
Spectral detectors, polarization-sensitive detectors, radiation-hardened detectors, and sub-Kelvin, high-
sensitivity detectors must meet these challenges based on these parameters to be used in missions.
Advances in single-element and large-array detector technologies that improve sensitivity, resolution, speed,
and operating temperature are needed for several upcoming missions. Two major classes of X-ray and UV/Vis/
NIR/IR detectors already required are: 1) large focal plane array (FPA) detectors with high-QE, low noise, high
resolution, uniform and stable response, low power and cost, and high reliability that are suitable for survey
and imaging missions; and 2) photon-counting detectors featuring ultra-low noise, high-QE and signal gain,
high-resolution and stable response, suitable for spectroscopic and planet-finding missions.
Two superconducting detector technologies show promise for high-
density arrays needed for far-IR, mm-wave and X-ray astrophysics
in the next decade: 1) transition-edge sensor (TES) bolometers
and microcalorimeters; and 2) microwave kinetic inductance
detectors (MKID). Planetary and Earth science missions require high
performance detectors from 0.2 to > 50 µm.
Sensitive IR detectors require cooling to reduce dark current noise
and reach background limited infrared performance (BLIP), making
them impractical for many planetary missions because of their
volume, mass, and power consumption. However, the development
of compact, efficient, low power cryocoolers will enable the greater
use of higher-sensitivity detectors that are cooled for these missions. Close-up of a transition-edge sensor
Solid-state X-ray and neutron detectors with high-energy resolution and (TES) microcalorimeter
directionality are also needed for planetary science instruments.

Benefits of Technology
The technical capabilities described above will provide future missions with greater accuracy, improved
sensitivity, and better reliability.
Table 3. TA 8.1.1 Technology Candidates – not in priority order
TA Technology Name Description
Visible/Near-Infrared Focal Plane
8.1.1.1 Large-format visible/near-infrared detector array
Array
8.1.1.2 Infrared Focal Planes Infrared focal planes for imagers, spectrometers, and imaging-spectrometers.

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Table 3. TA 8.1.1 Technology Candidates – not in priority order - Continued

TA Technology Name Description
Two-Dimenstional (2D) Filter
8.1.1.3 Spectral resolution filter for two-dimensional (2D) imagers.
Imager
Submillimeter-Wave Array
8.1.1.4 High-resolution submillimeter-wave multi-pixel spectrometers.
Spectrometer
Large format arrays of background limited cosmic microwave background polarimeters with
8.1.1.5 Inflation Probe Detector
background limited noise performance.
Large Format Visible/Near Infrared Large format detector arrays sensitive to the visible and near-IR with high quantum
8.1.1.6
Photon Counting Detector Array efficiency, low noise, and radiation hardness compatible with the Earth-Sun L2 orbit.
Fast, Low-Noise, Ultraviolet/
8.1.1.7 Extended-life imaging detectors to withstand space radiation.
Optical, Infrared Detector
Large format X-ray microcalorimeter array or very-high-energy-resolution, pixelated focal
8.1.1.8 X-Ray Detector (Microcalorimeter)
plane detector.
Far Ultraviolet-Extreme Ultraviolet
8.1.1.9 Large detector (2k x 2k) with high QE and visible blind (solar blind).
2D Detector
8.1.1.10 Extended Life Infrared Sensor Extended life large format 1-5 μm infrared sensor.
Digital High Speed Readout
8.1.1.11 On-chip digitization of total internal reflection (TIR) readout integrated circuit.
Integrated Circuit (ROIC)
Uncooled Thermopile Detector Broadband (0.3 to > 200 microns), flat spectrally, uncooled, highly linear, detector array for
8.1.1.12
Array accurate radiometry. Detector is intrinsically radiation hard to > 1 millirad (mrad).
Microwave Kinetic Inductance Superconducting detector technology that enables single photon counting with energy
8.1.1.13
Detector resolution across the ultraviolet, visible and infrared wavelengths.

TA 8.1.2 Electronics
Future missions will need low mass and low-power-consumption electronics that can operate over a
wide temperature range. Electronics supporting TA 8 (including field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs),
processors, and memory technology needs) that were outlined in the NASA Office of the Chief Engineer
Avionics Steering Committee Roadmap, can be found in the roadmap for TA 11 Modeling, Simulation,
Information Technology, and Processing.

Technical Capability Objectives and Challenges

Most future missions need significant technology advances in wireless communications as well as low-power,
high-speed electronics. Spectrometers across a wide range of wavelengths will require fully digital back
ends for lower mass, higher speed, and improved reliability. A majority of science missions need integrated
electronics and sensor readouts that enable significant data compression. Planetary and exploration
instruments have special needs for high-performance and low-power electronics that can operate at extremely
cold or hot temperatures, and over wide temperature ranges. There is also a need to develop low-noise,
low-power, high-performance analog and mixed signal electronic components and electronics packaging
technology capable of operating in and surviving the temperature range encountered by NASA missions
including cryogenic temperatures.
For missions to Mars, Titan, the Moon, comets, and asteroids, electronics are required to operate over low
and wide temperature ranges (-230° C to +125° C) and for many temperature cycles. Advances in wireless
communications are needed for instrument and bus communications that will reduce mass associated with
cabling and enable new mission architectures. Instruments can also benefit from smart instrumentation buses
and interfaces. These will allow a more “plug and play” approach that will improve integration and test, cost
and schedule, and allow common interfaces that support advanced computing and data architectures.

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Benefits of Technology
Across all disciplines, reducing the volume, mass, and power requirements of instrument electronics is
essential to maximizing the science return for future missions.

Table 4. TA 8.1.2 Technology Candidates – not in priority order

TA Technology Name Description
Miniaturized, Low-Power Radar
8.1.2.1 Provide miniaturized and low-power radar electronics.
Electronics
8.1.2.2 Onboard Radar Data Processing Advanced onboard processing capabilities to handle larger volumes of radar data.
Smart Instrumentation Bus and Instruments need to evolve to a more “plug and play” approach to improve I&T cost and
8.1.2.3
Interface schedule, and to better interface with advanced computing and data architectures.
Highly Integrated Extreme
Environment Capable High- High-performance and low-power instrument electronics that can operate at extremely cold
8.1.2.4
Performance Low-Power or hot temperatures, and over wide temperature ranges.
Instrument Electronics

TA 8.1.3 Optical Components

Optical component technologies are grouped in the following categories: ultraviolet imaging, wide field of
view imaging for near-Earth asteroids, and instruments for quantum interferometry. Improvements in optical
components complement improvements in detectors.
Technical Capability Objectives and Challenges
Optical technology development includes both incremental improvements that further push the state of the art
and breakthrough technologies that can enable entirely new instrument or observatory architectures. There
are a wide variety of instrument types optimized for each science need and only some of the technologies
are described here. Competitive technology opportunities best identify new ideas that are often based on
improving optical performance. The technology developments then lead to instrument incubator and test-
bed activities to support missions. Advanced spectrometer and instrument subsystems can enable new
measurement capabilities. These subsystems can be used in smaller, midsized, or larger instruments.
Benefits of Technology
Advances including optical material development may enable new instrument and sensor measurement
capabilities. These advances include recent breakthroughs in nano-fabrication and field-controllable devices
that will eliminate current mechanical operation approaches, decreasing risk of mechanical failure. High-
throughput optics with large fields of view, high stability, spectral resolution, and uniformity at many different
temperatures will enable and enhance future missions.

Table 5. TA 8.1.3 Technology Candidates – not in priority order

TA Technology Name Description
Coronagraphs and nulling interferometers suppress starlight in the focal plane by blocking
8.1.3.1 Coronagraph
portions of the beam as well as modifying its phase and amplitude.
Starshades are deployed structures that block starlight to form a dark shadow around a
8.1.3.2 Occulter distant telescope, enabling direct detection and characterization of extrasolar planets as
small as Exo-Earths.
Carbon Nanotube Absorbers and Carbon nanotube “forests” used for their broadband, high absorption of electromagnetic
8.1.3.3
Coatings and Occulting Masks radiation.

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Table 5. TA 8.1.3 Technology Candidates – not in priority order - Continued

TA Technology Name Description
Wavefront control consists of actuators for implementing corrections to the figure and
Wavefront Control of Large Optical
8.1.3.4 alignment of the optics and algorithms and software for determining the corrections to be
Space Telescope
made based on the measurements.
Wavefront sensing for large telescopes is typically performed by either image-based
Wavefront Sensing of Large
8.1.3.5 approaches that use the captured image to sense the wavefront error, or metrology-based
Optical Space Telescope
approaches that use sensors to measure the shape of the mirrors.
Narrow short wavelength band filters (extreme to far ultraviolet) with high transmission that
8.1.3.6 Transmission Filter enable high signal-to-noise ratio in order to observe weak signals in the presence of bright
signals found in heliophysics observations.
8.1.3.7 Reflective Filter Narrow-band filters with high reflectivity that enable high signal-to-noise measurements.
Wide Field of View Reflective Allow the formation of an image on a flat detector to image near-Earth space from highly
8.1.3.8
Imager elliptical orbits
8.1.3.9 Quantum Optical Interferometry Interferometry with sensitivity significantly better than the quantum shot noise limit.

TA 8.1.4 Microwave, Millimeter-, and Submillimeter Waves

Microwave and radio transmitter and receiver component technologies include integrated radar transmitter/
receiver (T/R) modules and integrated radiometer receivers. They include active microwave instruments
(radar), passive radiometers, and crosscutting technologies, such as radiation-hardened electronics. The
frequency range is from 30 kilohertz (kHz) to 3 terahertz (THz). Investments include low-noise receivers, array
systems, and field demonstrations.

Technical Capability Objectives and Challenges

Investments in microwave, millimeter-, and submillimeter-wave transmitter and receiver component technology
include low-noise receivers and array systems and field demonstration of active and passive instruments
from microwave through submillimeter wavelengths. Current capability objectives include extending low-noise
amplifier technologies to > 600 GHz; large-array receiver demonstrations; low-cost scalable radiometer and
multi-pixel high-resolution spectrometer array integration technologies; large (D/lambda > 8,000) deployable
antennas; and low-cost technologies for large-array systems and landing
radars. Technology development is needed for lower-mass receiver front
ends, intermediate frequency signal processors, and microwave, millimeter-,
and submillimeter-wave spectrometers that analyze the down converted
intermediate frequency (IF) signals with high-spectral resolution.

Benefits of Technology
Microwave, millimeter-, and submillimeter-wave receiver and transmitter
technologies are necessary to enable future global remote sensing of all
phases of the water cycle from frozen lands, ice, and snow to soil moisture,
ocean temperature, and salinity to rain and cloud distribution. Millimeter- and
submillimeter-wave technologies add measurements of other atmospheric
constituents like trace gases and temperature profiling. Radars will enable an
unprecedented mapping capability of global land surface topography of the
Earth and other rocky planets as well as the extent of carbon stored in the Microwave imager integrated
global biosphere. onto observatory

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Table 6. TA 8.1.4 Technology Candidates – not in priority order

TA Technology Name Description
Phased arrays provide radar beam steering agility that enables new radar measurement
High-Density, Low-Cost Phased
8.1.4.1 concepts. New integrated circuit technologies (e.g., mixed-signal silicon-Germanium, or
Array Panel
SiGe) enable higher densities, lower noise figures, and lower costs.
High-Efficiency Pulsed Radar Pulsed radar transmitters with high efficiencies at all wavelengths to enable or reduce cost
8.1.4.2
Transmitter for both Earth and planetary radar missions.
Millimeter-Wave Multi-Frequency Active (steerable) source of multiple frequencies positioned around the focal locus of a
8.1.4.3
Active Feed Array (Radar) collimating reflector to achieve collocated, multiparametric radar measurements.
8.1.4.4 Low-Cost Landing/Proximity Radar Small, low-cost, radar and proximity sensor suitable for planetary landing missions.
Tunable Multi-Pixel Submillimeter-
8.1.4.5 High-resolution multi-pixel submillimeter-wave spectrally tunable array spectrometers.
Wave Spectrometer

TA 8.1.5 Lasers
Laser and LIDAR remote sensing encompasses subsystems and components
for surface elevation; atmospheric-layer height measurements; transponder
and interferometer operation for precise distance measurements; scattering
for aerosol and cloud properties and composition; measurement of molecular
species concentration (such as water, ozone, carbon dioxide, methane,
and others); Doppler velocity determination for wind measurements; and
illumination for flash focal plane array (FPA) imaging systems.
Examples of an Earth science application include the need for higher-
efficiency, long-lived diode pump technologies, and higher-power fiber and
solid-state lasers with stable, narrow line width with significantly increased
overall system efficiency, decreased size and mass, and reduced thermal and
power impact on the spacecraft. For planetary and exploration applications,
the power required will be lower, but the size, mass, and power implications
are even more critical.

Technical Capability Objectives and Challenges Advanced topographic laser

The key technologies include lasers (high-power, multi-beam, and multi- altimeter system being lifted
wavelength, pulsed, and continuous wave), detectors, receivers, and onto a vibration table
scanning mechanisms. Wavelengths needed range from 0.3 to 10 μm. Main
technology challenges include providing space-qualified laser pump diodes; building space flight-qualifiable
LIDAR systems; fiber lasers capable of high-pulse energy operation; and higher-damage-threshold materials
and coatings. Laser technology is advancing at a very rapid rate with orders of magnitude improvement in
key performance parameters such as efficiency, maximum output power, and operating temperature in recent
years. Lasers at unprecedented wavelength ranges from ultraviolet (UV) to terahertz are now being developed
and matured for space applications. Semiconductor lasers in the range of 600-1,500 nm are needed for
pumping of solid-state lasers for LIDAR transmitters. Breakthroughs in mid-IR lasers are enabling instruments
such as tunable laser spectrometers. Terahertz lasers are being developed that will work at ambient
temperatures, enabling simple local oscillators for heterodyne receivers.

Benefits of Technology
Reliable, highly-stable, efficient, radiation-hardened, and long-lifetime (> 5 years) lasers and LIDAR will enable
future missions.

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Table 7. TA 8.1.5 Technology Candidates – not in priority order

TA Technology Name Description
8.1.5.1 2.05 µm Pulsed Laser 2.05 micron pulsed laser for LIDAR measurements.
355 nm, Single-Frequency Pulsed 355 nm pulsed laser used for backscatter from molecules to determine wind speed at
8.1.5.2
Laser high altitudes.
Short-pulsed 1-micron lasers used with fast detectors to perform time of flight
8.1.5.3 Pulsed Lasers for Altimetry, Earth
measurements.
Three-Dimensional (3D) Imaging Flash LIDAR to produce surface elevation maps on centimeter scales at distances of 2 km for
8.1.5.4
Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) uncooperative targets and 5km for cooperative targets.
A dual-channel laser is used in a laser absorption spectrometer (1.57 micron) to detect
8.1.5.5 0.765/1.572 µm Pulsed Laser
carbon dioxide and to measure surface pressure (0.765 micron).
Continuous wave (CW) diode or fiber seed sources used to tune lasers over a range of
8.1.5.6 Seed Laser
wavelengths.
1064 nanometer (nm) LIDAR used for generating surface elevation maps and surface
8.1.5.7 Pulsed Laser
feature mapping.
Pulsed Tunable Near Infrared/Infrared In-situ source for gas detection and typing, IR lasers proposed for LIDAR detection or
8.1.5.8
Laser (Gas Detection) entry, descent, and landing (EDL) application.
Continuous Wave Tunable Near
8.1.5.9 In-situ laser source for gas detection and characterization.
Infrared/Infrared for Gas Detection
1.65 µm Pulsed Light Detection Lasers operating in this wavelength band have been identified as good candidates for
8.1.5.10
and Ranging (LIDAR) remote methane sensing.
Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) Advanced fiber-based laser transmitter with 0.01 to 20 millijoule (mJ) pulse energy in the
8.1.5.11
Fiber Transmitter visible to near-IR for LIDARs.
Diode Laser for Vector Helium
8.1.5.12 Ultra-narrow laser systems needed to make high precision magnetic field measurement.
Magnetometer (VHM)
8.1.5.13 Laser Interferometer Space-based lasers for interferometry.

TA 8.1.6 Cryogenic/Thermal
Cryogenic and thermal system component technologies are grouped in the
following categories: sub-Kelvin (K), 4 to 20 K, and low-cost cryocoolers.

Technical Capability Objectives and Challenges

Cryogenic and thermal systems include both passive and active technologies
used to cool instruments and focal planes, sensors, and large optical systems.
Active cooling is required to push the instruments, sensors, large optics, and
structures below the temperature limits of radiators and passive methods. At
present, multiple technologies are being investigated and developed to cool to
the 50-80 K range. However, a significant technology gap exists between recent
progress and what is required to produce reliable, long-life, efficient thermal
systems that can cool instruments, telescopes, and their associated optics to < 20
K. Technology investments are needed to raise the 4 K cryocooler to Technology
Readiness Level (TRL) 5 or 6, develop a low-power, low-compressor temperature
cryocooler operating at 30-35 K for planetary missions, and develop compact,
efficient drive electronics scalable to powers ranging from 60 W to 600 W. Optics
and detectors for far-IR, millimeter, and certain X-ray missions require very low
Adiabatic Demagnetization
temperatures of operation, typically in the tens of milli-K. Compact, low-power,
Refrigerator (ADR)

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lightweight coolers suitable for space flight are needed to provide this cooling. Low-cost, highly efficient,
hardened coolers are seen as an enabling capability for future small satellite and unmanned aerial vehicle
(UAV) applications.

Benefits of Technology
Cryogenic and thermal systems that are low power, lightweight, and with low exported vibration will enhance
future missions.

Table 8. TA 8.1.6 Technology Candidates – not in priority order

TA Technology Name Description
8.1.6.1 4 K Cryocooler Advanced spaceflight pulse tube, Stirling, Joule-Thomson and turbo-Brayton cryocoolers.
Adiabatic Demagnetization Refrigerator (ADR) or He3/He4 dilution refrigerator that can be
8.1.6.2 Continuous Sub-K Refrigerator
directly coupled to mechanical cryocoolers.
8.1.6.3 Low Cost Cryocooler Low-cost single-stage cryocooler for cooling sensors and optics.

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TA 8.2: Observatories
Observatory technologies are necessary to design, manufacture,
test, and operate space telescopes and antennas, which collect,
concentrate, or transmit photons. Observatory technologies
enable or enhance large-aperture monolithic and segmented,
single apertures as well as structurally connected or free-flying
sparse and interferometric apertures. Applications span the
electromagnetic spectrum, from X-rays to radio waves. Based
on the needs of planned and potential future NASA missions,
observatories can be categorized as mirror systems, structures
and antennas, and distributed apertures.
These technologies support three primary applications: X-ray
astronomy, UVOIR astronomy, and microwave/radio wave
Goddard Geophysical and Astronomical
antenna.
Observatory (GGAO)
Many of NASA’s survey missions currently define the state
of the art and pull requirements for X-ray astronomy. NASA’s space
telescopes and commercial imaging systems represent the state of the
art in UVOIR. Push requirements for extremely large space telescopes
(ELST) are in the 15 to 30 meter (m) class range.
The most important metric for all future large telescopes is cost per
square meter of the collecting aperture. Assuming that total mission
budgets always will be limited, the most viable way to afford a larger
telescope is to reduce areal cost.
The development of observatory structures to incorporate advanced
occulting systems for Exoplanet missions and autonomous formation
flying for aircraft drive distributed-aperture system technologies. 90-GHz Multi-Chip Module

Sub-Goals
For all applications, regardless of whether the incumbent
system is 0.5 m or 15 m, the fundamental driving goal is a larger
collecting aperture with better performance and reduced mass
to provide extremely sensitive astronomical observations. The
technologies needed to achieve performance are the ability to
manufacture and test large-mirror systems; the ability of the
structure to hold the mirror in a stable, strain-free state under
the influence of anticipated dynamic and thermal stimuli; and,
for extra-large apertures, a method to create the aperture via
deployment, assembly, or formation flying—where formation-
flying technology is an actively controlled virtual structure.
James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) flight
Similar optical technologies are needed to design, manufacture, mirror inspection
and test science instruments and telescopes. A good example is
with wavefront sensing and control. In addition to being implemented inside the science instruments, optical-
component technologies provide feedback to operate the space telescope. Other important technologies

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include validated performance models that integrate optical, mechanical, dynamic, and thermal models for
telescopes, structures, instruments, and spacecraft. These technologies enable the design and manufacture of
observatories whose performance requirements cannot be tested on the ground.
Table 9. Summary of TA 8.2 Sub-Goals, Objectives, Challenges and Benefits
Level 1
8.0 Science Instruments, Goals: Collect and process scientific data, either to answer compelling science questions as old as
Observatories, and Sensor humankind or to provide crucial knowledge to enable robotic missions.
Systems
Level 2
8.2 Observatories Sub-Goals: Develop larger collecting apertures with better performance and reduced mass to provide
extremely sensitive astronomical observations.
Level 3
8.2.1 Mirror Systems Objectives: Achieve increased sensitivity and resolution while reducing areal cost.
Challenges: Lightweight mirror systems with a high degree of thermal and dynamic stability, wavefront
sensing and control with diffraction limited performance.
Benefits: Increases resolution of X-ray missions and sensitivity provided by larger aperture UVOIR
telescopes.
8.2.2 Structures and Antennas Objectives: Develop a lightweight, space-compatible metering structure that is efficiently packaged for
launch, precisely deployed or erected on orbit, and stable for instrument operation.
Challenges: Combine material development, structural integrity, and deployment and assembly architecture
with the instrument’s stability requirements.
Benefits: Overcomes size, stability, and implementation barriers of these technologies.
8.2.3 Distributed Aperture Objectives: Provide a robust, reliable capability for precise in-space positioning of multiple spacecraft over
both small and large inter-spacecraft distances.
Implement long-baseline instrumentation and distributed sensors.
Challenges: Scalable inter-spacecraft and inter-payload relative positioning sensors and associated
spacecraft control and estimation algorithms that synthesize the fractional-wavelength precision
required for astronomical observations.
Benefits: Provides for extremely sensitive astronomical observations that include exoplanet imaging and
spectroscopy, and for space environment observations with swarms of small spacecraft that are
precisely located and positioned across large distances

TA 8.2.1 Mirror Systems

The state of the art for mirror systems is in technology
development phases. For X-ray mirror systems, achieving
a substantial increase in resolution drives the technology.
Improved technologies for segmented, slumped, and replicated
optics are being developed within the Agency to achieve the
required performance, without increased areal cost.
The UVOIR optical system development is bifurcated into
large, monolithic, lightweight mirrors and large, articulated
mirror systems. The impact of a very large launch capacity
may help drive the technology, reducing but not eliminating the
areal cost technology driver.
Mirror test set-up in thermal vacuum chamber

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Technical Capability Objectives and Challenges

The objective for mirror systems is to achieve an implementable mirror system within the realities of the fiscal
environment that achieves the increased sensitivity and resolution required to make significant advancements
in our knowledge of the universe. The desired capabilities include improved resolution of X-ray grazing
incidence optics and reduced areal costs for aperture systems > 10 m in diameter.
The challenge for X-ray optical systems is achieving the required resolution of 0.1 arc-second (arcsec) using
lightweight optics in a large effective aperture system. For the normal-incidence optical systems for UVOIR
telescopes, the challenges are reducing the real cost and achieving the required total system stability.

Benefits of Technology
These technologies will enable development of X-ray and UVOIR missions that explore the universe in ways
never before possible. The increased resolution of X-ray missions and the increased sensitivity provided by
larger aperture UVOIR telescopes will provide answers to key questions about the origin and evolution of the
universe.
Table 10. TA 8.2.1 Technology Candidates – not in priority order
TA Technology Name Description
High-Energy X-Ray Grazing
8.2.1.1 High-energy X-ray precision surface lightweight mirror.
Incidence Mirror
Low-Energy X-Ray Grazing
8.2.1.2 Low-energy X-ray precision surface lightweight mirror.
Incidence Mirror
Normal Incidence Monolithic Mirror
Large, low-cost, lightweight precision monolithic mirrors that provide a high degree of thermal
for Large-Aperture Ultraviolet
8.2.1.3 and dynamic stability, and wavefront sensing and control for Ultra-Stable Large Aperture UV/
(UV)/Visible/Near-Infrared (IR)
Visible/Near-IR Telescopes.
Telescopes
Normal Incidence Segmented
Large, low-cost, lightweight precision segmented mirrors that provide a high degree of
Mirror for Large-Aperture
8.2.1.4 thermal and dynamic stability, and wavefront sensing and control for Ultra-Stable Large
Ultraviolet (UV)/Visible/Near-
Aperture UV/Visible/Near-IR Telescopes.
Infrared (IR) Telescopes

TA 8.2.2 Structures an Antennas

Antennas and their supporting structures are coupled systems
and need to be designed and developed as an integrated system.
Structures and antennas can be deployable, erectable, assembled,
or inflated. These systems must be lightweight and have minimized
stowage volumes. The systems include phased arrays and reflectors
and may be either static or scanning. Technology challenges include
adaptive control of the deployed shape, wavefront control, and
materials.

Technical Capability Objectives and Challenges

The objectives for this capability are to develop a lightweight, space-
compatible metering structure that is efficiently packaged for launch,
High-precision adaptive control of
precisely deployed or erected on orbit, and stable for instrument large antenna surface
operation. Deployment may be via mechanisms or inflatable
components. These structures, meter-sized mirrors, antennas, or
sensors are integral to the observatory. The challenges for this capability are to combine material development,
structural integrity, and deployment or assembly architecture with the instrument’s stability requirements.

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Benefits of Technology
Investing in these technologies will provide a path forward for instruments and observations that have been
conceived, but are not possible now because of the size, stability, and implementation barriers for which
there are no solutions. The technologies identified in this section will enable the realization of these benefits.
In particular, astronomy, heliophysics (structures), and Earth system (antennas) observations will benefit the
most.

Table 11. TA 8.2.2 Technology Candidates – not in priority order

TA Technology Name Description
Deployable Support Structure and
8.2.2.1 Deployable spacecraft and instrument support structure and antenna.
Antenna
Erectable/Assembled Support
8.2.2.2 Erectable or assembled spacecraft and instrument support structure and antenna.
Structure and Antenna
Inflatable Support Structure and
8.2.2.3 Inflatable spacecraft and instrument support structure and antenna.
Antenna
8.2.2.4 Lightweight, Deployable Antenna Deployable antenna (arrays or single aperture) with high packing efficiency.
Large antenna reflector at Ka- and W-band, which will enable geostationary orbiting radars
with high spatial, temporal, and vertical resolutions. Such radars will be capable of producing
8.2.2.5 Antenna Reflector
three-dimensional radar images of the tropical and mid-latitude land and ocean once every
15 to 30 minutes for weather, air traffic safety, telecommunications, and other applications.

TA 8.2.3 Distributed Aperture

Many potential future science missions, such as extrasolar terrestrial planet interferometer missions, X-ray
interferometer missions, and optical or ultraviolet deep space imagers would require instrument apertures
beyond the scope of even deployable structures. These requirements can be met with distributed apertures. A
suite of spacecraft, flying in formation and connected by high-speed communications could create a very large
virtual science instrument. The advantage is that the virtual structure could be made to any size. Technology
challenges include an autonomously computing solution with limited processing and time, full hardware and
software simulations on Earth (gravity effects), and achieving high precision over vast ranges.

Technical Capability Objectives and Challenges

The objectives for distributed-aperture technologies are to provide a robust, reliable capability for precise in-
space positioning of multiple spacecraft over both small and large inter-spacecraft distances—from 50 m for
an exoplanet interferometer or X-ray telescope to 50 Mm for a starshade and a telescope—and to implement
long-baseline instrumentation and distributed sensors. These multi-spacecraft missions span large astronomy
missions to flotillas of networked in-situ sensors on small, “disposable” spacecraft. One challenge for this
capability is scalable inter-spacecraft or inter-payload relative positioning sensors and associated spacecraft
control and estimation algorithms that synthesize the fractional-wavelength precision required for astronomical
observations. A second challenge is to develop small, lightweight, and accurate systems that are consistent
with the small spacecraft requirements of planetary, Earth system, and heliophysics mission concepts.
Spacecraft formation flying plays a critical role in enabling distributed apertures that synthesize a single
“sensor” over multiple spacecraft. For planned and proposed formations, spacecraft separations range from
meters to millions of kilometers. To realize such distributed architectures within practical budgetary constraints,
spacecraft need to maneuver autonomously over dynamic ranges of several orders of magnitude while
minimizing and balancing fuel consumption, avoiding collision, and ensuring inter-spacecraft sensors remained
locked. In many cases, spacecraft must also autonomously perform precision, synchronized six-degree-of-

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freedom (6DOF) motions to achieve science objectives. Based on representative stroke limits of active optics,
spacecraft must typically be controlled to sub-centimeter and sub-arcminute levels, and so “precision” here
means that level of inter-spacecraft control. Finally, formations will need to operate robustly for up to a decade,
ensuring formation safety and satisfactory performance despite temporary and permanent spacecraft and
component failures.
Needed technologies fall into three high-level categories: 1) precision sensing for distributed aperture
payloads; 2) robust, autonomous maintenance of the distributed spacecraft that synthesize the overall
instrument; and 3) precision inter-spacecraft control algorithms for achieving the distributed instrument.
Some technologies related to meeting the precision control requirements for distributed aperture observatories,
specifically micropropulsion and reaction wheels, are addressed in other technology area roadmaps.
TA 2 In-Space Propulsion provides a description of the state of the art for micropropulsion, as well as
specific technology development recommendations. TA 3 Space Power and Energy Storage provides a
description of the state of the art for reaction wheels (flywheels), as well as specific technology development
recommendations.

Benefits of Technology
Development of these technologies will open the door to mission concepts and instrument design not possible
to date. It will provide for extremely sensitive astronomical observations that include exoplanet imaging and
spectroscopy, and for space environment observations with swarms of small spacecraft that are precisely
located and positioned across large distances.
As an example, distributed interferometers in the infrared require combining collected light to the sub-
nanometer level. Formation flight relative position and attitude control requirements are derived from sensing
requirements and the combined stroke limits of optical delay lines and inter-spacecraft routing optics.
Terrestrial Planet Finder-Interferometer designs required 2.5 centimeter (cm)/0.5 arcsec precision in relative
position and attitude, respectively, and active optics are used to reduce this down to achieve sub-nanometer
control. A near-term interferometer requires 5 millimeter (mm)/5 arcsec. X-ray synthetic apertures have
tighter requirements, as these observatories must utilize grazing optics: 1 mm in lateral axes and 0.1-10 mm
along the boresight. External, formation-flying coronagraphs for exoplanet detection require 1 m over 70,000
km, necessitating bearing measurements to better than 3 milli-arc-seconds. Finally, a nearer-term, external
coronagraph for studying the Sun requires 3 cm/30 arc-minutes.
Focusing specifically on distributed apertures, this technology would enable high-angular resolution imaging
beyond the capability of segmented space telescopes, even those concepts that envision large-scale on-orbit
assembly. The ultimate challenge is to demonstrate an end-to-end system from formation control of telescopes
to stabilization of stellar fringes and interferometric imaging at optical wavelengths. This distributed aperture
technology could then provide space-based imaging equivalent to a 400-m telescope separation at H-band
(1.65 μm) and thereby enable exoplanet imaging missions.
Table 12. TA 8.2.3 Technology Candidates – not in priority order
TA Technology Name Description
Ultra-Precise Absolute Ranging for An inter-spacecraft sensor that precisely measures absolute ranges to sub-nanometer
8.2.3.1
Distributed Aperture accuracy between spacecraft separated by up to kilometers.
Situational Awareness Sensing for An inter-spacecraft sensor with nearly full-sky coverage that can simultaneously track
8.2.3.2
Distributed Aperture multiple spacecraft out to kilometers for general maneuvering and collision avoidance.
Six Degrees of Freedom (DOF)
An algorithm to robustly estimate the relative rotational and translational state of a spacecraft
8.2.3.3 Relative Estimation for Formations
with respect to another body.
and Proximity Operations

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Table 12. TA 8.2.3 Technology Candidates – not in priority order - Continued

TA Technology Name Description
Algorithms to 1) detect faults and identify them as much as possible in formation sensing
Formation Fault Detection and
and controlling in both rotational and translational degrees of freedom and in both a host
8.2.3.4 Identification with Collision
and neighboring spacecraft and 2) take informed action based on fault identities to reduce
Avoidance
collision hazards with neighboring spacecraft.
6 Degrees of Freedom (DOF) An algorithm that takes torque and force commands for formation and proximity-operations
8.2.3.5 Prioritized, Selectable Actuator attitude and translation control and turns them into optimal reaction wheel and thruster
Allocation commands for arbitrary thruster and reaction wheel locations and directions.
Ultra-Long Range, Ultra-Precise A formation flying, inter-spacecraft sensor that precisely measures relative bearing between
8.2.3.6
Inter-Spacecraft Bearing Sensing vastly separated spacecraft.
Efficient Precision Formation A formation flying, inter-spacecraft control algorithm that maximizes observational efficiency
8.2.3.7 Control with Large, Dynamic and minimizes propellant use for a range of environmental disturbance accelerations and for
Spacecraft a spinning spacecraft.

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TA 8.3: In-Situ Instruments and Sensors

In-situ instruments and sensors technologies are vital to enable new science discoveries in future missions
over the next several decades. These technologies support measurements of field, particle, chemical,
mineralogical, organic, and in-situ biological samples. Technologies supporting field and particle instruments
and sensors are required for astrophysics, heliophysics, and planetary missions, while in-situ sampling
technologies are required only in support of planetary missions. Significant technology advancements
are needed to enable deep drilling and coring to support planned missions to comets, Titan, and Venus.
Also, improvements in mass spectroscopy technology are needed to allow high-sensitivity organic material
characterization in plumes and tenuous atmospheres. In the ongoing search for life, wet chemical analysis
approaches and sensors need to be developed to allow biological signatures or organic material to be
characterized.

Table 13. Summary of TA 8.3 Sub-Goals, Objectives, Challenges and Benefits

Level 1
8.0 Science Instruments, Goals: Collect and process scientific data, either to answer compelling science questions as old as
Observatories, and Sensor humankind or to provide crucial knowledge to enable robotic missions.
Systems
Level 2
8.3 In-Situ Instruments / Sub-Goals: Improve in-situ sensing capabilities and performance.
Sensors
Level 3
8.3.1 Field and Particle Objectives: Expand the energy range of instruments and increase performance while reducing volume,
Detectors mass, and power.
Challenges: Eliminate energy scanning, and remove out-of-band energies and composition.
Immunity to penetrating background radiation and UV light contamination.
Radiation-hardened and miniaturized high-voltage power supplies.
Benefits: Provides more efficient and effective field and particle instrumentation whose performance
characteristics include but are not limited to: precise measurements of gravitational waves and
tiny distortions of space-time, elemental charge and spectra of energetic particles in deep space
or planetary surfaces, high-accuracy magnetic field measurements, and neutron detection for
exploration and science on planetary surfaces.
Reduces instrument resource requirements on payloads.
Increases spatial and temporal sampling crucial to understanding the large-scale particle and
field systems in the solar system.
8.3.2 Fields and Waves This section is covered in TA 8.3.1 Field and Particle Detectors, and TA 8.3.3, In-Situ (other).
8.3.3 In-Situ (other) Objectives: Minimize mass, power, volume, and data rates of surface and subsurface instruments for
planetary, moons, comets, and asteroids missions.
Challenges: Techniques for acquiring, processing, transferring, delivering, storing, and returning both surface
and subsurface samples.
Techniques in chemical and mineral assessment, organic analysis, biological detection, and
characterization.
Benefits: Minimizes mass, volume, and power thus providing significant returns to the science of a wide
array of planetary targets including comets, Venus, Titan, Enceladus, Europa, other outer planet
targets, asteroids, and Mars.

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TA 8.3.1 Field and Particle Detectors

Field detectors include electromagnetic (EM) field sensors, gravity-wave sensors, and magnetometers.
Improved knowledge of interplanetary space and its coupling to planetary body magnetospheres and
ionospheres (including the Earth’s) relies on understanding the flow of mass and energy. Observing the
dynamic nature of electric and magnetic fields in these regions is key to achieving this understanding. The
technology development for AC and DC magnetic and electric field sensors is primarily focused on increasing
sensor sensitivity and developing robust and efficient deployment mechanisms and platforms. The magnetic
and electric isolation required are critical for the sensors and spatial locations. The technology requirements for
energetic particle, approximately 10 kiloelectron volt (keV) to gigaelectron volt (GeV), and plasma detectors,
< 1 electron volt (eV) to approximately 30 keV, to address heliophysics needs are varied and depend on the
space environment being measured. The state of the art in plasma sensors is a complement of an energy-
scanning electrostatic analyzer with a micro-channel plate (MCP) detector. For energetic particles, the energy
analysis is obtained with solid-state detectors. In both cases, thin foils with MCPs are used to measure velocity
to determine energy by time of flight (TOF). For neutral particles, special conversion surfaces or electron
impact ionization are used to convert neutrals to charged particles for subsequent analysis. Volume, mass,
and power savings could be realized by integrating two instruments into one to enable future heliophysics and
planetary missions. For plasma sensors, important technology developments include: reduced or eliminated
energy-scanning, removal of out-of-band energies, and radiation-hardened and miniaturized high-voltage
power supplies. For neutral sensors, higher conversion efficiency or direct neutral detection is an important
future capability. For all particle sensors, increased immunity to penetrating background radiation and UV light
contamination, reduced noise, minimization of temperature drifts, and absolute calibration will improve future
science performance.

Technical Capability Objectives and Challenges

For neutral sensors, NASA needs to explore higher conversion efficiency or direct neutral detection. For
all particle sensors, NASA needs to increase immunity to penetrating background radiation and UV light
contamination by employing shielding and coincidence techniques. For plasma sensors, radiation-hardened
and miniaturized high-voltage power supplies are required. The technology development for AC and DC
magnetic and electric field sensors is primarily focused on increasing sensor sensitivity, reducing noise,
eliminating temperature drifts, implementing absolute calibration, and developing robust and efficient
deployment mechanisms and platforms.

Benefits of Technology
Field and particle detectors will enable precise measurements of gravitational waves and tiny distortions of
space-time. They will also allow the measurement of elemental charge and spectra of energetic particles in
deep space or planetary surfaces and high-accuracy magnetic field measurements. The detectors will also
allow neutron detection for exploration and science on planetary surfaces. Reduced instrument resources will
allow instruments to be flown on more missions as payloads of opportunity. The increased spatial and temporal
sampling this will allow is crucial to understanding the large-scale particle and field systems in the solar
system.
Table 14. TA 8.3.1 Technology Candidates – not in priority order
TA Technology Name Description
Energetic Particle Detector (>30 Particle detector to measure the particle population of energetic particles, solar wind, near-
8.3.1.1
keV – Several GeV) solar environment, and galactic cosmic radiation.
Plasma Detector Plasma detector to measure the particle population of solar wind, magnetosphere, and near-
8.3.1.2
(<1 eV – 30 keV) solar environments.
Technologies that allow high-stability magnetic field measurements to be made in distributed
8.3.1.3 Constellation Magnetometer
systems.

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Table 14. TA 8.3.1 Technology Candidates – not in priority order - Continued

TA Technology Name Description
Plasma detector to measure the particle population of solar wind, magnetosphere, and near-
8.3.1.4 Energetic Neutral Particle Sensor
solar environments.
Detector for energetic neutrons for radiation exposure on planetary surfaces and looking for
8.3.1.5 Fast (Energetic) Neutron Detector
surface composition (water).

TA 8.3.2 Fields and Waves

Field and wave sensors are addressed in section TA 8.3.1 Field and Particle Detectors, and TA 8.3.3, In-Situ
(other).

TA 8.3.3 In-Situ (other)

The state of the art for flight-proven in-situ payload technologies is defined by the instrument suites and
associated technologies, such as sampling hardware, flown on NASA’s probes, planetary rovers, and
planetary landers. The state of the technology for in-situ instrumentation includes current payloads under
development for upcoming prove, rover, lander, and sample return missions. Current technical challenges are
highly mission-specific and include challenges such as developing a robust seismometer that can detect faint
earthquake signals on Mars for NASA's 2016 Insight Discovery mission, and a robust heat flow and physical
properties probe that can self-hammer several meters into the Martian regolith without breaking or getting
stuck, also for the Insight mission. Other current challenges include ensuring the reliability of an asteroid
sampling system for the Osiris REX New Frontiers 3 mission, an developing a suite of instruments for the Mars
2020 rover capable of meeting mission science requirements within the constrained mass, volume, power, and
data rate allocations for the rover platform.
Current Mars lander systems define the state of the art for sample acquisition. Post-acquisition processing
represents a technology gap needed for likely future sampling applications. Current systems only allow
analysis of materials that are either sieved from the soil at < 150 µm or drilled from outcrops of rocks that are
larger than 21 cm in diameter, leaving a good part of the Mars surface unsampled. The problem is worsened
under microgravity and vacuum conditions, or with samples that are not dry powders. For example, current
technologies are not capable of handling unconsolidated materials in microgravity, as would be required in a
near-Earth asteroid (NEA) mission. Nor are they suitable for use on landed planetary missions to bodies such
as Titan, Europa, Venus, and Enceladus, each of which poses a different and unique challenge.
Future in-situ technology needs and challenges are highly mission specific due to the wide range in radiation,
thermal, atmospheric, and compositional environments encountered in planetary bodies across the solar
system, and also because of the different kinds of technologies needed for exosphere flybys, atmospheric
probes, planetary lander, planetary rover, and planetary sample return missions. Rather than covering the vast
array of possible future in-situ technology needs, TA 8 focuses primarily on the key technology challenges that
must be solved to enable the next logical steps in planetary exploration envisioned in the 2013-2022 Planetary
Decadal Survey report. Among the Planetary Decadal recommended future missions, some—including
New Frontiers mission concepts—can be accomplished with currently available technologies. However,
others require or would significantly benefit from new technologies: returning a cryogenic comet nucleus
sample, characterizing Titan’s organic-rich surface and lakes, characterizing organic compounds present in
Enceladus’s plumes and in tenuous cometary atmospheres, determining the elemental and mineralogical
composition of Venus’s surface, searching for life beyond Earth, and landing on Europa to probe the mysteries
of its subsurface ocean.

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Because the identified in-situ exploration technology needs flow primarily from the well-studied design
reference missions from the 2013-2022 Planetary Decadal Survey report, TA 8 does not provide detailed
specifications on other in-situ technology challenges for future missions, such as Discovery-class
concepts:simple, rugged sampling technologies for an in-situ lander or rover; low-mass, low-power
technologies for chemical and mineral assessment, organic analysis, biological detection and
characterization; and others. Planetary protection is also not a main focus because none of the Decadal
Survey Design Reference Missions presented any unusual planetary protection technology challenges.
Additionally, two current NASA missions under development, Mars 2020 and the Europa mission, will be
maturing a host of new planetary protection methodologies from which future in-situ instruments will benefit.
Technical Capability Objectives and Challenges
Among the wide range of planetary missions envisioned over
the next 20 years, the most technically challenging are those
that require in-situ drilling, sampling, and analysis capabilities.
These missions will benefit from NASA’s sustained investments
over the last two decades in technologies for in-situ exploration.
As a result of already flown and under-development missions,
planetary scientists can leverage existing capabilities developed
for in-situ atmospheric, organic, mineralogical, elemental, and
geophysical analyses. However, due to the extreme diversity
of in-situ planetary environments, from Titan’s organic-rich
cryogenic surface to Venus’s high-temperature and high-
pressure rocky surface to Europa’s radiation-sputtered, Instrument for sample analysis on Mars
water-rich cryogenic surface, there are few “one size fits all”
technologies that can be readily transferred from one in-
situ planetary mission to another. For this reason, future in-situ technology development needs tend to be
highly mission-specific. The only common feature is that, even more so than for remote instruments and
observatories, all in-situ missions require aggressive minimization of instrument mass, power, volume, and, in
some cases, data rate.
Among the future planetary science missions recommended in “Visions and Voyages for Planetary Science in
the Decade 2013-2022,” several require new in-situ sampling technologies, including the ability to encapsulate
and return a cryogenic sample with preserved stratigraphy obtained from a comet nucleus to a depth of ≥ 25
cm, maintained at ≤ 125 K. A Titan lander mission is strongly advised for the future to determine the molecular
and isotopic composition of Titan’s lakes and solid surface. This Titan mission would require a mechanical
system for transferring solid and liquid cryogenic samples from ambient Titan conditions to an analytical suite.
Finally, a main science objective of a future Venus lander mission would be to determine the surface elemental
and mineralogical composition. Technology advancements in high-temperature and high-pressure actuators,
drills, and valves would enable these measurements to be conducted inside a Venus lander with analytical
instruments.
Various missions planned for the next two decades involve flybys and orbiters sent to bodies with tenuous
atmospheres and perhaps plume activity including Enceladus, Europa, Titan, and comets. Of particular interest
is the molecular and isotopic composition of any organic species present in these tenuous atmospheres.
Detecting and characterizing these organic species, which may be present at only 10s to 100s of particles
per cubic centimeter, will require an ultra-sensitive mass spectrometer with either very high-mass resolution
(> 10,000) or another means of distinguishing between compounds with nearly identical masses, such as
MSn capability. Measuring the charged particles (positive and negative ions) in both high-radiation and low-
radiation environments is important to understand the processes at work in the deep oceans of the icy moons.
The challenge is to increase maximal count rates to 100 Megahertz (MHz), a factor of 10 increase, in both
environments.

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Past, present, and planned future in-situ missions commonly employ Vis-IR spectrometers, laser-based
spectrometers, and X-ray spectrometers to study atmospheric phenomena and surface composition. These
spectrometers will benefit from advanced detector and focal plane technologies (TA 8.1.1) and
lasertechnologies (TA 8.1.5) discussed elsewhere in this section. In addition, future X-ray instrumentation such
as a micro X-ray fluorescence spectrometer to determine micro-scale elemental composition, or a compact X-
ray diffraction instrument to study mineralogical composition, require compact X-ray sources (high-voltage
power supplies and X-ray emitters) to be compatible with the low-mass, low-power requirements for landed
missions to Venus, asteroids, comets, and other planetary bodies.
A long-standing objective of the planetary science community is to determine whether other habitable
environments and perhaps even life itself can be found outside of Earth. Several approaches for in-situ life
detection have been partially matured for flight applications utilizing wet chemical analysis techniques for
identifying in-situ biological signatures. Future missions that seek to determine whether life arose on another
planetary body would benefit from further maturation of wet chemical analysis techniques that can search for
biological signatures such as amino acid chirality and carboxylic acid chain length distributions, among others.
A future Europa lander mission will require a payload that can withstand Europa’s high-radiation environment
and strict planetary protection requirements. The development of this lander will benefit from knowledge and
lessons learned during the development of NASA’s other lander missions, but will also require lander-specific
technology developments in these areas.
For the Moon and Mars, the Decadal Survey calls for continued development of in-situ geochronology
capability. This is because the estimation of absolute ages of events in Solar System history relies on the
calibration of a relative age scale, determined from crater counting on terrains, by a small number of
radioisotopic dates of Apollo samples from the Moon. The cratering curve deduced for the Moon has been
extrapolated to Mercury, Venus, Mars, and even the Earth, where the record of ancient impacts has been lost
to us by erosion, weathering, and plate tetonics. Moreover, the bombardment chronology inferred from the
Apollo samples has played a significant role in the development of the favored model of early Solar System
dynamics. However, the impactor flux estimates may be biased by the fact that the Apollo era samples were
mostly collected out of their original geological contexts, or were tenuously connected to an assumed context.
In addition, new lunar crater counts using the high-resolution imaging capability of the Lunar Reconnaissance
Orbiter Camera indicate that previous terrain age determinations may have been underestimated by up to 1.1
Ga for the era from 3.6 to 1 Ga, an interval for which few Apollo samples exist. Given the uncertainties,
measurements for dating precision of better than ~±200 Ma for planetary-aged samples, quantification of
sources of bias and error, and integrated low-complexity sample handling and preparation are required.
Finally, future landed missions such as the New Frontiers 5 Lunar Geophysical Network (LGN) mission
candidate, and a possible Europa Lander as part of the upcoming Europa mission, will require highly
sensitive seismometers to allow better understanding of the processes that shaped the solar system's planets
and moons. These advanced seismometers will allow precision measurements of quakes and other internal
activity to better understand the planetary body's geophysical history and interior structure. They will require
a 10-fold increase in sensitivity over current technology, while operating over a wide thermal range and in a
harsh radiation environment.

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Benefits of Technology
The technology benefits of maturing the identified in-situ technologies include enabling or significantly
enhancing the science return from future missions to a wide array of planetary targets including comets,
Venus, Titan, Enceladus, Europa, other outer planet targets, asteroids, and Mars. The technologies identified
in TAs 8.3.3.4, 8.3.3.5, 8.3.3.6, and 8.3.3.7 may also benefit NASA’s human exploration program. The reverse
is also true; technologies used to analyze the astronaut environment (air or water) for major and trace species
are frequently amenable to planetary investigations. Accommodation constraints for human missions are much
like those for robotic planetary explorations, and mass, volume, and power similarly need to be minimized.
Table 15. TA 8.3.3 Technology Candidates – not in priority order
TA Technology Name Description
Cryogenic Comet Subsurface Core
8.3.3.1 Deep drilling and coring on cometary bodies.
Sampler
Titan Surface and Lake Cryogenic Mechanical system for transferring solid and liquid cryogenic samples from ambient Titan
8.3.3.2
Sampling Technologies conditions to the analysis environment.
High-Temperature, High-Pressure Actuators, drills, and valves capable of operating under Venus surface conditions (92 bar,
8.3.3.3
Actuators, Drills, and Valves 460° C).
Advanced Mass Spectrometer for
Mass spectrometer for characterizing organic materials present at very low abundances in a
8.3.3.4 Ultra-Sensitive Organic Material
plume or tenuous atmosphere.
Characterization
8.3.3.5 Compact X-ray Source Miniature high-voltage power supply and X-ray tube for X-ray instrumentation.
Wet Chemistry Technologies for Wet chemical analysis approaches that can identify in-situ biological signatures, such as
8.3.3.6
Life Detection amino acid chirality and carboxylic acid chain length distributions.
Wet Chemistry Lab-on-a-Chip Chemistry instrument capable of ingesting solids or liquids and analyzing chemical
8.3.3.7
Analyzer composition, both organic and inorganic
Advanced In-Situ Dating and Seismometer with 10-fold increase in sensitivity that operates over a wide temperature
8.3.3.8
Exposure Age Instruments range in high radiation environment.
High Sensitivity, Wide
8.3.3.9 Seisometer with 10-fold increase in sensitivity over current state-of-the-art that works
Temperature Range
over a wide temperature range in high radiation environment.
Seismometer

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Appendix
Acronyms
2D Two Dimensional
3D Three Dimensional
AC Alternating Current
ACE Aerosol-Cloud-Ecosystems
ADR Adiabatic Demagnetization Refrigerator
AFF Autonomous Formation Flying
AFTA Astrophysics Focused Telescope Assets
APD Avalanche Diodes
APIO Advanced Planning and Integration Office
ASCENDS Active Sensing of CO2 Emissions over Nights, Days, and Seasons
ASIC Application-Specific Integrated Circuit
ATLAST Advanced Technology Large Aperture Space Telescope
BIRD Barrier Infrared Detector
BLIP Background-Limited Infrared Photon
CCD Charged Coupled Device
CheMin Chemical Mineral Instrument
CMB Cosmic Microwave Background
CMOS Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor
CW Continuous Wave
DC Direct Current
DIAL Differential Absorption LIDAR
DOF Degrees of Freedom
DRM Design Reference Mission
DYNAMIC DYnamical Neutral AtMosphere-Ionosphere Coupling
EDL Entry, Descent, and Landing
ELST Extremely Large Space Telescopes
EM ElectroMagnetic
ENA Energetic Neutral Atoms
EUV Extreme UltraViolet
EVA Extra Vehicular Activity
FOV Field of View
FPA Focal Plane Array
FPGA Field-Programmable Gate Array
FUV Far UltraViolet
FWHM Full Width Half Maximum
GACM Global Atmospheric Composition Mission
GDC Geospace Dynamics Constellation
GEO Geosynchronous Orbit
GGAO Goddard Geophysical and Astronomical Observatory
GPS Global Positioning Satellite
GRACE Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment
HEO Highly Elliptical Orbit

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HST Hubble Space Telescope

HyspIRI Hyperspectral InfraRed Imager
I&T Information and Technology
IAE Inflatable Antenna Experiment
IF Intermediate Frequency
IMAP Interstellar MApping Probe
IR InfraRed
ISS International Space Station
JWST James Web Space Telescope
LIBS Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy
LIDAR LIght Detection and Ranging
LIGO Laser Interferometer Gravitational wave Observatory
LIST LIDAR Surface Topography
LOLA Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter
MCP MicroChannel Plate
MEDICI Magnetosphere Energetics, Dynamics, and Ionospheric Coupling Investigation
MIRO Microwave Instrument for the Rosetta Orbiter
MKID Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detector
MLA Mercury Laser Altimeter
MLS Microwave Limb Sounder
MOLA Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter
MSL Mars Science Lab
NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NEA Near-Earth Asteroid
NIR Near InfraRed
NIS Normal Insulator Superconductor
NRC National Research Council
NSR NASA Sounding Rockets
NuSTAR NUclear Spectroscopic Telescope ARray
OCT Office of the Chief Technologist
OSIRIS-Rex Origins-Spectral Interpretation-Resource Identification-Security-Regolith EXplorer
QE Quantum Efficiency
RF Radio Frequency
ROIC ReadOut Integrated Circuit
SAM Sample Analysis at Mars
SAR Synthetic Aperture Radar
SCLP Snow and Cold Land Processes
SDO Solar Dynamics Observatory
SEAA Static Energy Angle Analyzer
SNR Signal-to-Noise Ratio
SOA State Of the Art
SQUID Superconducting QUantum Interference Device
SSCA Soil Sample Collection Assembly
STS Space Transportation System
TA Technology Area
TABS Technology Area Breakdown Structure
TES Transition Edge Sensors
TIR Total Internal Reflection

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TOF Time Of Flight

TPF-I Terrestrial Planet Finder-Interferometer
T/R Transmitter/Receiver
TRL Technology Readiness Level
UAV Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
UV UltraViolet
UVOIR UltraViolet/Optical/InfraRed
UV/Vis/NIR/IR UltraViolet/Visible/Near-InfraRed/InfraRed
VHM Vector Helium Magnetometer
VTP Virtual Terrain Project
WFIRST Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope
WFSC Wavefront Sensing and Control

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Abbreviations and Units

Abbreviation Definitio
% Percent
2D Two-Dimensional
3D Three-Dimensional
AMU Atomic Mass Unit
arc-min Arc-minute
arc-sec Arc-Second
AU Astronomical Unit
Au Gold
Be Beryllium
Bi Bismuth
C Celsius
cm Centimeter
cm 3
Cubic centimeters
eV Electron Volts
f Force
fo Resonance frequency
Ga Giga annum - billion years
GeV Gigaelectron Volt
GHz Gigahertz
Gpix Gigapixels
HgCdTe Mercury Cadmium Telluride
Hz Hertz
InGaAs Indium Gallium Arsenide
K Kelvin
k Thousand
keV kiloelectron Volt
kg Kilograms
kHz Kilohertz
m2 Square meters
Ma Mega annum - million years
MeV Megaelectron Volts
Mdeg Millidegree
MHz Megahertz
mJ Millijoules
mm Millimeter
Mpixels Mega pixels
mrad Millirad

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Abbreviation Definitio
mW Milliwatts
nm Nanometer
pix Pixel
pm Picometer
ppb Parts per billion
rms root-mean-square
s Seconds
sec Seconds
SiC Silicon Carbide
SiGe Silicon-Germanium
STD Standard
THz TeraHertz
μJ Microjoules
μm Micrometer
VIS Visible
W Watt

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Contributors

TECHNOLOGY AREA ROADMAP DEVELOPMENT TEAM

William Edwards Daniel Winterhalter Faith Chandler,
TA 8 Chair TA 8 Co-Chair Director, Strategic Integration, OCT
NASA, Langley Research Center NASA, Jet Propulsion Laboratory NASA, Headquarters

Jill Bauman Terence Doiron Sabrina Feldman

NASA, Ames Research Center NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center NASA, Jet Propulsion Laboratory

George Komar Keith Murray James F . Span

Earth Science Technology Office NASA, Langley Research Center NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center

OTHER CONTRIBUTORS
Matt Bolcar Sandra Cauffman Garry Fleming
NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center NASA, Headquarters NASA, Langley Research Center

Stephen J . Hora Sharon Jefferies Orlando Melendez

NASA, Langley Research Center NASA, Headquarters NASA, Headquarters

Nikolaos Paschalidis Brian Ramsey Eric Silk

NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center

Jeffrey S . Smit Phil Stahl, Carl Stahle

NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center

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Technology Candidate Snapshots

8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.1.1 Visible/Near-Infrared Focal Plane Array
Sensors
8.1.1 Detectors and Focal Planes

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Large-format visible/near-infrared (IR) detector arrays.
Technology Challenge: Achieving low noise while also reducing pixel size and density.
Technology State of the Art: Large-format arrays of mercury Technology Performance Goal: Large-format arrays of HgCdTe
cadmium telluride (HgCdTe) visible/near-IR detectors. visible/near-IR detectors.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
4k x 4k HgCdTe detectors with 10 µm pixels in a 4k x 4k HgCdTe detectors with 10 µm pixels space
laboratory environment. 4 qualified. 6
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Large-format visible/near-infrared imaging.
Capability Description: Provide wide field of view imaging of wavelengths from the visible to 1.7μm in mosaicable in formats of ~Gpix.
Capability State of the Art: HgCdTe Focal Plane arrays. Capability Performance Goal:Develop high quantum efficiency
(QE), low noise visible/IR arrays that can produce focal planes of a
gigapixel.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Pixel Array: 2k x 2k; Pixel Size: 18 Pixel Array: 4k x 4k mosaicable HgCdTe detectors with 10 µm pixels
μm
Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Strategic Missions: Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST) Enhancing -- 2025 2018 3 years

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.1.2 Infrared Focal Plane

Sensors
8.1.1 Detectors and Focal Planes

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Infrared focal planes for imagers, spectrometers, and imaging-spectrometers.
Technology Challenge: Detector material, detector fabrication, digital readout integrated circuit, higher-temperature operation, lower dark
current.
Technology State of the Art: Barrier Infrared Detector (BIRD), a Technology Performance Goal: 4K x 4K BIRD digital focal plane
breakthrough technology. arrays.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Quantum Efficiency (QE): 77%; All digital, QE: 90%;
Format: 2k x 2k;
3 Format: 4k x 4k;
6
Pixel operability: 99.98%; Pixel operability: 99.98%;
Pixel uniformity: 99.8%; Pixel uniformity: 99.8%;
1/f noise knee: < 0.5 Hz 1/f noise knee: < 0.1 Hz
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: High-performance, large-format digital infrared focal planes.
Capability Description: High quantum efficiency, high pixel operability, high pixel uniformity, and lower 1/f noise large format infrared focal
planes in 1-15 microns spectral range.
Capability State of the Art: Mercury cadmium telluride (HgCdTe) Capability Performance Goal: 2k x 2k focal planes with high pixel
operability, uniformity, and lower 1/f noise.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
QE: 70%; QE: 80%;
Format: 1k x 1k; Format: 2k x 2k;
Pixel operability: 98%; Pixel operability: 99.9%;
Pixel uniformity: 95%; Pixel uniformity: 99%;
1/f noise knee: 1 KHz 1/f noise knee: < 10 Hz

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Planetary Flagship: Europa Enhancing -- 2022* 2019 3 years
New Frontiers: Venus In-Situ Explorer Enabling -- 2024 2016 2 years
*Launch date is estimated and not in Agency Mission Planning Model (AMPM)

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.1.3 Two-Dimensional (2D) Filter Imager
Sensors
8.1.1 Detectors and Focal Planes

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Spectral resolution filter for two-dimensional (2D) imagers.
Technology Challenge: Development of these filters requires very clean, dedicated facilities. These filters are very susceptible to
contamination.
Technology State of the Art: Far ultraviolet (FUV) multilayer Technology Performance Goal: Achieve increased efficiency
reflective filters. and out-of-band rejection.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Wavelength: 80-120 nm; Wavelength: 80-120 nm;
Peak reflectivity: 30:1;
9 Peak reflectivity: 30:1;
6
Full Width Half Maximum (FWHM): 15 nm; FWHM: 5 nm;
Wavelength: 120-200 nm; Wavelength: 120-200 nm;
Peak Reflectivity: 20:1; Peak Reflectivity: 25:1;
FWHM: 5 nm FWHM: 1 nm
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Magnetosphere and ionosphere coupling analysis.
Capability Description: Perform quantitative analysis of the coupling between magnetosphere and ionosphere.
Capability State of the Art: FUV multilayer reflective filters. Capability Performance Goal: Achieve increased efficiency and
out-of-band rejection.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Wavelength: 80-120 nm; Wavelength: 80-120 nm;
Peak reflectivity: 30:1; Peak reflectivity: 30:1;
FWHM: 15 nm; FWHM: 5 nm;
Wavelength: 120-200 nm; Wavelength: 120-200 nm;
Peak Reflectivity: 20:1; Peak Reflectivity: 25:1;
FWHM: 5 nm FWHM: 1 nm

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Solar Terrestrial Probes: Dynamical Neutral Atmosphere-Ionosphere
Enhancing -- 2025 2021 3 years
Coupling (DYNAMIC)
Solar Terrestrial Probes: Magnetosphere Energetics, Dynamics, and
Enhancing -- 2032 2030 3 years
Ionospheric Coupling Investigation (MEDICI)
Living with a Star: Geospace Dynamics Constellation (GDC) Enabling -- 2030 2019 3 years

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.1.4 Submillimeter Wave Array Spectrometer
Sensors
8.1.1 Detectors and Focal Planes

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: High-resolution submillimeter-wave multi-pixel spectrometers.
Technology Challenge: Heterodyne array technology at far-infrared has not been done before.
Technology State of the Art: Only single-pixel systems have Technology Performance Goal: 100-pixel spectrometer at 1.9
flown to date. THz.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Only single-pixel receivers Pixel Array: 4k x 4k
9 4
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Provide a highly tunable broadband submillimeter-wave array spectrometer to provide imaging capability of molecular
species (needed for surface and atmospheric characterization of planetary bodies, atmospheric composition, interstellar matter identification,
atmospheric chemistry, and dynamics).
Capability Description: Provide a two-dimensional (2D) spectrometer array for far-infrared imagining of target areas. Cryogenic detectors
for astrophysics and room-temperature systems for planetary and Earth missions.
Capability State of the Art: Only single-pixel systems have flown Capability Performance Goal: Number of pixels.
to date. Multipixel systems are currently Technology Readiness Level
(TRL) 4.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Single pixel 100 pixels

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Explorer Class: Explorer Missions Enabling -- 2023 2020 3 years
Discovery: Discovery 14 Enabling -- 2023 2020 3 years

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.1.5 Inflation Probe Detector

Sensors
8.1.1 Detectors and Focal Planes

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Large format arrays of cosmic microwave background polarimeters with background limited noise performance.
Technology Challenge: Scaling to larger formats with high yield.
Technology State of the Art: Transition edge sensors (TES) with Technology Performance Goal: The inflation probe requires
the required noise performance in the lab. TES-based instruments arrays of polarization-sensitive detectors with noise below the cosmic
have been deployed in ground-based and balloon-borne telescopes. microwave background (CMB) photon noise at multiple frequencies
between 30 and 300 GHz and up to 1 THz for Galactic science
applications.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
512 pixel dual polarization. 10,000 detector pixels.
150 GHz focal plane on BICEP2 ground telescope.
4 30 GHz to 1THz with background limited noise
6
100 to 1000 pixel dual polarization. 40, 90, and 150 performance.
GHz focal plane on CLASS.

Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Cosmic microwave background polarization measurement.
Capability Description: Measure the fine scale structure in the cosmic microwave background polarization.
Capability State of the Art: Planck instrument. Capability Performance Goal: Measure the fine scale structure
in the cosmic microwave background polarization in space with
equivalent or better performance than can be currently achieve on
Earth.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
~50 background-limited cryogenic receivers. 10,000 detector pixels.
Frequency: 27 GHz to 1 THz. 30 GHz to 1THz with background limited noise performance.

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Strategic Missions: CMB Polarization Surveyor Mission Enabling -- 2035* 2035 10 years
*Launch date is estimated and not in Agency Mission Planning Model (AMPM)

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.1.6 Large Forma Visible/Near Infrared Photon
Sensors Counting Detector Array
8.1.1 Detectors and Focal Planes

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Large-format detector arrays sensitive to the visible and near-infrared (IR) with high quantum efficiency, low
noise, and radiation hardness compatible with the Earth-Sun Lagrange-2 (L2) orbit.
Technology Challenge: Producing radiation-hard charged coupled device (CCD) arrays that can tolerate the radiation at the Earth-Sun L2
point.
Technology State of the Art: Visible CCDs are not radiation Technology Performance Goal: Detector arrays that have deep
hardened for use at Earth-Sun L2. full wells with low persistence and radiation tolerance for Earth-Sun
Near infrared (NIR): James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), Wide- L2.
Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST)-Astrophysics-Focused
Telescope Assets (AFTA), Avalanche Diodes (APD), and high dynamic
range imagery.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Array format: 16 Mpixels; Arrays format: 16 Mpixels;
Quantum Efficiency: 80%;
4 6
Quantum Efficiency: 80%;
Noise: < 5e RMS; Noise: < 5e RMS;
Not radiation hardened at L2; Radiation hardened at L2
18-22 bit depth
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Cosmic microwave background polarization measurement.
Capability Description: Enable transit imaging and spectroscopy at all wavelengths.
Capability State of the Art: Visible CCDs are not radiation Capability Performance Goal: Detector arrays that have deep
hardened for use at Earth-Sun L2. full wells with low persistence and radiation tolerance enable transit
Near-IR: JWST, WFIRST-AFTA. imaging and spectroscopy at all wavelengths.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Array format: 16 Mpixels; Arrays format: 16 Mpixels;
Quantum Efficiency: 80%; Quantum Efficiency: 80%;
Noise: < 5e RMS; Noise: < 5e RMS;
Not radiation hardened at L2 Not radiation hardened at L2

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Strategic Missions: Large UV/Visible/IR Surveyor Mission Enabling -- 2035* 2030 8 years
*Launch date is estimated and not in Agency Mission Planning Model (AMPM)

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.1.7 Fast, Low-Noise, Ultraviolet/Optical, Infrared
Sensors Detector
8.1.1 Detectors and Focal Planes

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Extended-life imaging detector to withstand space radiation.
Technology Challenge: Develop a sensitive detector with very high radiation tolerance.
Technology State of the Art: Bare charged coupled device Technology Performance Goal: Extend life and performance of
(CCD) for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and image-intensified CCD for far detector exposed to intense and sustained radiation.
ultraviolet (FUV)
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Pixel Array: 1k x 1k; Pixel Array: 1k x 1k;
Pixel Rate: 10 MHz;
6 Pixel Rate: 100 MHz;
6
Read Noise: 100 e- rms; Read Noise: 100 e- rms;
Radiation Tolerance: 50 krad Radiation Tolerance: 500 krad
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Radiation-hardened detector.
Capability Description: Provide detector that can function in the presence of energetic electrons and sustained radiation in space.
Capability State of the Art: FUV/EUV sensors used in solar and Capability Performance Goal: Provide detectors that can
geospace imagers on several missions. function in the presence of energetic electrons and sustained radiation
in space.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Geospace - Pixel Array: 1k x 1k; Pixel Array: 1k x 1k;
Pixel Rate: 2.4 MHz; Pixel Rate: 100 MHz;
Read Noise: 100 e-rms; Read Noise: 100 e-rms;
Radiation Tolerance: < 10 krad Radiation Tolerance: 500 krad

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Strategic Missions: Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST) Enhancing -- 2025 2018 4 years
Strategic Missions: Exoplanet Direct Imaging Mission Enhancing -- 2030* 2025 5 years
Strategic Missions: Large UV/Visible/IR Surveyor Mission Enabling -- 2035* 2030 5 years
Solar Terrestrial Probes: Magnetosphere Energetics, Dynamics, and
Enhancing -- 2032 2030 5 years
Ionospheric Coupling Investigation (MEDICI)
Living with a Star: Geospace Dynamics Constellation (GDC) Enhancing -- 2030 2019 5 years
Explorer Class: Explorer Missions Enabling -- 2023 2020 3 years
*Launch date is estimated and not in Agency Mission Planning Model (AMPM)

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.1 8 X-Ray Detector (Microcalorimeter)

Sensors
8.1.1 Detectors and Focal Planes

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Large-format X-ray microcalorimeter arrays or very-high-energy-resolution, pixellated focal plane detector.
Technology Challenge: Reading out a large number of pixels without compromising resolution; obtaining high count rate capability.
Technology State of the Art: Detector with required energy Technology Performance Goal: Large-format detector array with
resolution and format demonstrated in the lab. required energy resolution.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
1024 x 1024 array; 2048 x 2048 array;
Energy Res: 2.5 eV;
5 Energy Res: 2.5 eV;
6
Pixels: 1,000; Pixels: 1,000;
Pitch: 0.25 mm Pitch: 0.25 mm

Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: High-resolution measurement of X-rays.
Capability Description: Provide high-resolution measurements of X-ray transition energies over a broad spectral range to allow great
advances on broad fronts ranging from our understanding of black holes to cosmology and the life cycles of matter and energy in the cosmos.
Capability State of the Art: Microcalorimeter with mercury Capability Performance Goal: Higher spectral resolution in large
telluride (HgTe) absorber and silicon (Si) thermometer. arrays with fine pixels at center, larger pixels outside of this.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Energy Res.: (6 keV) 4.4 eV; Energy Res: 2.5 eV;
Pixel Rate: 3 c/s; Pixels: 1,000;
Pixels: 36; Pitch: 0.25 mm
Pitch: 0.8 mm

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Strategic Missions: X-ray Surveyor Mission Enabling -- 2035* 2030 9 years
*Launch date is estimated and not in Agency Mission Planning Model (AMPM)

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.1.9 Far Ultraviolet-Extreme Ultraviole Two-Dimensional
Sensors (2D) Detectors
8.1.1 Detectors and Focal Planes

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Large detectors (2k x 2k) with high quantum efficiency (QE) and visible blind (solar blind).
Technology Challenge: Out-of-band rejection and increased QE are the challenges.
Technology State of the Art: Bare charged coupled device Technology Performance Goal: Provide increased size, QE, and
(CCD) for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and image-intensified CCD for far out-of-band rejection > 200 nm.
ultraviolet (FUV).
Parameter, Value: Quantum efficiency: < 15% TRL Parameter, Value: Quantum efficiency: < 50% TRL
8 6
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: EUV radiation imaging.
Capability Description: Provide efficient and reliable imaging of EUV radiation.
Capability State of the Art: FUV/EUV sensors used in solar and Capability Performance Goal: Provide efficient and reliable
geospace imagers used on several missions. imaging of EUV radiation.
Parameter, Value: Quantum efficiency: < 15% Parameter, Value: Quantum efficiency: < 50%

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Solar Terrestrial Probes: Dynamical Neutral Atmosphere-Ionosphere
Enhancing -- 2025 2021 6 years
Coupling (DYNAMIC)
Solar Terrestrial Probes: Magnetosphere Energetics, Dynamics, and
Enabling -- 2032 2030 6 years
Ionospheric Coupling Investigation (MEDICI)
Living with a Star: Geospace Dynamics Constellation (GDC) Enabling -- 2030 2019 5 years
Explorer Class: Explorer Missions Enabling -- 2023 2020 6 years

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.1.10 Extended Life Infrared Sensor
Sensors
8.1.1 Detectors and Focal Planes

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Extended-life, large-format 1-5 um infrared sensor.
Technology Challenge: Improve radiation hardness, passively cooled high operating temperature (HOT) barrier infrared detectors (BIRDs)
to avoid mechanical coolers with limited lifetime, and passive coolers.
Technology State of the Art: Passively-cooled, extended-life Technology Performance Goal: Extend lifetime beyond 10 years.
infrared sensor based on HOT BIRD focal planes.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Extended lifetime: > 10 years with passive radiative Extended life: 15 years;
coolers; 3 Format : 4k x 4k;
6
Quantum efficiency (QE): 77%; Pixel operability: 99.98%;
Format: 2k x 2k; Pixel uniformity: 99.8%;
Pixel operability: 99.98%; 1/f noise knee: < 0.1 Hz
Pixel uniformity: 99.8%;
1/f noise knee: < 0.5 Hz
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Extended-life, high-performance, large-format digital infrared sensor.
Capability Description: An infrared survey telescope in a heliocentric orbit will enable mapping of the remaining near-Earth objects not
visible from Earth-based observatories and identification of the orbital dynamic characteristics.
Capability State of the Art: Infrared sensor based on mercury Capability Performance Goal: Extended-life, 2k x 2k focal planes
cadmium telluride (HgCdTe) focal planes and mechanical coolers with with high pixel operability, uniformity, and lower 1/f noise.
limited lifetime.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Life: 5 years; Extended life: 6 years;
QE: 70%; QE: 80%;
Format: 1k x 1k; Format: 2k x 2k;
Pixel operability: 95%; Pixel operability: 99.9%;
Pixel uniformity 95%; Pixel uniformity: 99%;
1/f noise knee: 1 KHz 1/f noise knee: < 10 Hz

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Discovery: Push Enhancing -- -- -- 5 years

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.1.11 Digital High Speed Readout Integrated Circuit (ROIC)
Sensors
8.1.1 Detectors and Focal Planes

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: On-chip digitization of total internal reflection (TIR) readout integrated circuit for hyperspectral imaging.
Technology Challenge: Smaller complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) fabrication process needs to be used. Detectors must
be fabricated using alternative materials and less-well-developed fabrication processes, resulting in devices with smaller formats, lower yields,
higher pixel-to-pixel variability, and higher costs.
Technology State of the Art: TIR readout with mercury cadmium Technology Performance Goal: 14-bit digitization on chip or with
telluride (MCT) array. sidecar.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
56 × 8 × 16 with 40 μm pixel pitch 14-bit/12.5 Mhz
5 6
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Long-range imaging.
Capability Description: Improving the long-range imaging capabilities for wide-area imaging and surveillance applications.
Capability State of the Art: PHyTIR Capability Performance Goal: Improve by a factor of 2 the
long-range imaging capability for wide-area imaging and surveillance
applications.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
High frame rate and bit-depth 14-bit/12.5 Mhz

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Earth Systematic Missions: Hyperspectral Infrared Imager (HyspIRI) Enabling -- 2023* 2020 3 years
Strategic Missions: Large UV/Visible/IR Surveyor Mission Enhancing -- 2035* 2030 5 years
*Launch date is estimated and not in Agency Mission Planning Model (AMPM)

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.1.12 Uncooled Thermopile Detector Array
Sensors
8.1.1 Detectors and Focal Planes

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Broadband (0.3 to > 200 microns), flat spectrally, uncooled, highly linear detector array for accurate radiometry.
Detector is intrinsically radiation hard to > 1 Mrad.
Technology Challenge: Detector yield, interconnects to readout chips.
Technology State of the Art: 1,024 element detector, Technology Performance Goal: 10,000 elements with radiation-
128-element readout chip. hard readout.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
1,024 element detectors; Number of elements: 10,000;
128-element readout chips
4 Radiation hard readout to 1 Mrad
6
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Earth radiation balance measurements, planetary thermal mapping.
Capability Description: Increase from roughly two hundred elements to thousands of elements.
Capability State of the Art: Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and Capability Performance Goal: Enable arrays of thousands of
Lunar Reconnaissanse Orbiter have 189 detector elements. Standard elements. Radiation-hard readout chips (1 Mrad).
complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) (non-radiation-
hard) readout chips.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Number of elements: 189 Number of elements: 10,000;
Radiation-hard readout chips: 1 Mrad

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
New Frontiers: New Frontiers Program 4 (NF4/~2017 AO Release) Enhancing -- 2024 2016 2 years
Planetary Flagship: Europa Enhancing -- 2022* 2019 3 years
Strategic Missions: Exoplanet Direct Imaging Mission Enhancing -- 2030* 2025 3 years
Strategic Missions: Large UV/Visible/IR Surveyor Mission Enhancing -- 2022* 2030 3 years
*Launch date is estimated and not in Agency Mission Planning Model (AMPM)

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.1.13 Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detector (MKID)
Sensors
8.1.1 Detectors and Focal Planes

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: A superconducting detector technology that enables single-photon counting with energy resolution across
the ultraviolet/optical/infrared (UVOIR) wavelengths. On a pixel-for-pixel basis, this detector is currently the most powerful UVOIR detector
available.
Technology Challenge: Microwave kinetic inductance detector (MKIDs) are a relatively new technology, and have significant room for
improvement. The current top issues are that the energy resolution (R~10 at 400 nm) is much lower than the theoretical energy resolution
(R~100), the pixel yield (~75%) is low, and the quantum efficiency is moderate (70% at 400 nm, 30% at 1000 nm).
Technology State of the Art: Charged coupled device (CCD) Technology Performance Goal: 10 MPix arrays with R~50 and
mercury cadmium telluride (HgCdTe) arrays provide excellent nearly 100% pixel yield and QE.
quantum efficiency (QE) and uniformity across Megapixel arrays, but
lack time and energy resolution.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Energy Res. R=8 at 400 nm; Energy Res. R=50 at 400 nm;
Pixel Yield: 75%;
4 Pixel Yield: 98%;
6
Quantum Efficiency: 70% at 400; nm, 30% at 1000 nm; Quantum Efficiency: 90% at 400 nm, 90% at 1000 nm;
Photon Time Tagging: 1 μs Photon Time Tagging: 1 μs
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: Development or maturation of
this technology is dependent on the development/advancement of superconducting films of high uniformity, low-noise microwave amplifiers,
high-speed and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) analog-to-digital converters, and 4 K space cryocoolers.

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Photon counting UVOIR detector with energy resolution R~50 per pixel, and accurate photon time of arrival tagging for
deep-imaging spectroscopy in astrophysics missions.
Capability Description: High-throughput, photon counting UVOIR imaging spectrometers, without dispersing elements, for faint
astrophysical sources like exoplanets.
Capability State of the Art: Lenslet-based integral field unit. Capability Performance Goal:Very high throughput imaging-
Image slicer based integral field unit. Multi-object spectrographs. spectroscopy at UVOIR wavelengths.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Throughput < 40%; High throughput > 60%;
No photon counting; Energy Resolution R=50 at 400 nm;
No time tagging Pixels: > 100,000;
Photon timing tagging: 1 μs

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Strategic Missions: Large UV/Visible/IR Surveyor Mission Enhancing -- 2035* 2030 5 years
*Launch date is estimated and not in Agency Mission Planning Model (AMPM)

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.2.1 Miniaturized, Low-Power Radar Electronics
Sensors
8.1.2 Electronics

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Provide miniaturized and low-power radar electronics.
Technology Challenge: Size reduction creates issues with thermal dissipation that need to be addressed.
Technology State of the Art: Various missions use this Technology Performance Goal: Decrease mass and power to a
technology. factor of 10.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Mass: 10-200 kg; Mass: 1-20 kg
Power: 10-200 W
9 Power: 1-20 W
5
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Radar missions flexibility.
Capability Description: Provide for maximum flexibility or miniaturization, increasing the efficiency and reducing cost for both Earth and
planetary radar missions.
Capability State of the Art: Various missions use this capability. Capability Performance Goal: Miniaturization of the electronics
of current space-based radar designs.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Mass: 10-200 kg; Mass: 1-20 kg;
Power: 10-200 W Power: 1-20 W

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Earth Systematic Missions: Push Enhancing -- -- -- 3 years
Strategic Missions: Push Enhancing -- -- -- 3 years
Discovery: Push Enhancing -- -- -- 3 years
New Frontiers: Push Enhancing -- -- -- 3 years

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments 8.1.2.2 Onboard Radar Data Processing

and Sensors
8.1.2 Electronics

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Advanced onboard processing capabilities to handle larger volumes of radar data.
Technology Challenge: Radiation-tolerant, SEU-resistant hardware and robust algorithms.
Technology State of the Art: Synthetic aperture radars (SARs) Technology Performance Goal: Low-power, radiation-hard,
typically telemeter raw data to the ground, where a ground science fully-focused SAR processing with floating point capability (includes
processor processes the data. use of higher-performance field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)
and application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) in space and
developing relevant algorithms, as well as event-driven observation
science processing).
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Onboard data recording Focused SAR processing.
3 5
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Rapid on-board processing.
Capability Description: Provide rapid on-board data processing to enable the observation and use of surface change data over rapidly-
evolving natural hazards to manage and mitigate natural disasters.
Capability State of the Art: Unfocused SAR processing on the Capability Performance Goal: Process large volumes of data on-
ground. board to enable rapid utilization of surface change data.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Unfocused SAR processing. Focused SAR onboard processor.

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Earth Systematic Missions: Push Enhancing -- -- -- 4 years
Strategic Missions: Push Enhancing -- -- -- 4 years
Discovery: Push Enhancing -- -- -- 3 years
New Frontiers: Push Enhancing -- -- -- 5 years

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.2.3 Smart Instrumentation Bus and Interfaces
Sensors
8.1.2 Electronics

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Instrument needs to evolve to a more “plug-and-play” approach to improve information and technology (I&T) cost
and schedule and to better interface with advanced computing and data architectures.
Technology Challenge: Definition of required parameters for self-configuration and definition of standards to be supported.
Technology State of the Art: Mission specific architectures Technology Performance Goal: Demonstration of self-
configuring instrumentation devices that supply identifiers, relevant
parameters, and other operational details to the flight computing
hardware and software.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Dependent on mission-unique interfaces Develop smart interface that allow self-configuration.
3 6
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Smart instrumentation interfaces.
Capability Description: Future instruments will require the ability to support automatic configuration of buses and flight data distribution
architectures.
Capability State of the Art: MIL-STD-1553 and related standards. Capability Performance Goal: Provide the ability for instruments
to work with the flight computer to self configure and automatically
provide the flight computer with necessary data in the instrument’s
capabilities and status.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Single standard bus interface Self-configurable bus interface

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Earth Systematic Missions: Push Enhancing -- -- -- 4 years
Strategic Missions: Push Enhancing -- -- -- 4 years
Discovery: Push Enhancing -- -- -- 3 years
New Frontiers: Push Enhancing -- -- -- 2 years

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.2.4 Highly Integrated Extreme Environment Capable High-
Sensors Performance Low-Power Instrument Electronics
8.1.2 Electronics

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: High-performance and low-power instrument electronics that can operate at extremely low (cryogenics) or high
temperatures, and over wide temperature ranges.
Technology Challenge: Develop low-noise, low-power, high-performance analog and mixed-signal electronic components and electronics
packaging technology capable of operating and surviving the temperature cycles of NASA missions.

Technology State of the Art: Keep electronics in thermally- Technology Performance Goal: Demonstrate operation of
isolated housing and/or use survival heaters. electronics and electronic packaging under specific conditions of
planetary missions.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Electronics operating at temperatures between -30° C Planet Surface temperature: Mars with thermal cycles
to 50° C in thermally-protected housing. 9 between -120° C and 20° C, Moon between -180° C 3
and 120° C, Titan, Icy Moons and Comets -180° C.
High Temperature: Venus surface at 480° C, planetary
probes
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: 1) Low-temperature, low-
power complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor electronics, 2) Low-temperature cycle resistance electronics packaging
technology, 3) High-temperature analog and mixed-signal electronics (made with silicon (Si), silicon carbide (SiC), gallium nitride (GaN)) and
electronics packaging technology.

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Highly miniaturized, ultra-low-power, low-noise sensor interface and instrument electronics capable of operating in
the extreme environment (temperature and radiation) of NASA missions.
Capability Description: Future instruments will require electronics that can survive and operate in the ambient environment of NASA
missions without the use of thermal protection or survival heaters.
Capability State of the Art: Space electronic component and Capability Performance Goal: Cold-survivable and cycle
electronic packaging. resistant electronics packaging technology. Wide-temperature
electronics and electronics packaging capable of operating between
-230° C and 120° C. Medium-temperature electronics capable of
operating to 300° C. High-temperature electronic and electronics
packaging capable of operating at 480° C.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Operating temperature between -55° C and 125° C. Operating temperature between -230° C and 120° C for low-
temperature electronics. Capable of surviving more than 5,000
temperature cycles.
Two years of life or better under operating temperature of 480° C for
high-temperature electronics.

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Earth Systematic Missions: Push Enhancing -- -- -- 4 years
Strategic Missions: Push Enhancing -- -- -- 4 years
Discovery: Push Enhancing -- -- -- 3 years
New Frontiers: Push Enhancing -- -- -- 2 years

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.3.1 Coronagraph

Sensors
8.1.3 Optical Components

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Coronagraph and nulling interferometers suppress starlight in the focal plane by blocking portions of the beam,
as well as modifying its phase and amplitude.
Technology Challenge: Achieving simultaneous high contrast ratio, small inner working angle, and wide bandwidth.
Technology State of the Art: Several types of coronagraphs have Technology Performance Goal: Starlight suppression system
been demonstrated in the lab with varying high contrast, inner working that creates a dark region on the focal plane where diffracted starlight
angle, and bandwidth. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses is rejected, allowing exoplanets as small as exo-Earths to be observed
none meeting all required performance. Demonstrations have been and characterized.
conducted in a quasi-static environment with clear apertures.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Contrast (400-1,000 nm): 3×10 at 10% bandwidth
-10 Contrast (300-1,800 nm): < 1x10-10 at > 10%
and 3λ/D inner working angle with clear aperture 4 bandwidth and < 3 λ/D inner working angle with clear, 5
and linear mask (Hybrid Lyot coronagraph) unobscured and segmented aperture
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Starlight suppression.
Capability Description: Starlight suppression system that creates a dark region on the focal plane where diffracted starlight is rejected,
allowing exoplanets to be observed and characterized.
Capability State of the Art: High-contrast coronagraph technology Capability Performance Goal: Starlight suppression system that
is currently in the lab being advanced for NASA missions. Two NASA creates a dark region on the focal plane where diffracted starlight is
missions have coronagraphs that are not designed for high-contrast rejected, allowing exoplanets as small as exo-Earths to be observed
direct imaging of low-mass exoplanets in reflective light and will not and characterized.
image exo-Earths at sub-arcsec angular separations.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Lab (800 μm): Contrast of 3x10-10 at 10% bandwidth and 3 λ/D inner Contrast (300-1,800 nm) ≤ 10-9 at 10% bandwidth and 3 λ/D inner
working angle with clear aperture (Hybrid Lyot coronagraph). This working angle with clear, unobscured and segmented aperture. This
is equivalent to 0.2 arcsec for a Hubble Space Telescope (HST)-like is equivalent to 0.06 arcsec for an 8 m telescope at 800 nm.
telescope at 800 nm.

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Strategic Missions: Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST) Enhancing -- 2025 2018 3 years
Strategic Missions: Exoplanet Direct Imaging Mission Enabling -- 2030* 2025 5 years
*Launch date is estimated and not in Agency Mission Planning Model (AMPM)

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.3.2 Occulter

Sensors
8.1.3 Optical Components

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Starshades are deployed, petal-shaped structures that block starlight to form a dark shadow around a distant
telescope, enabling direct detection and characterization of extrasolar planets as small as exo-Earths.
Technology Challenge: Control of scattered light, validation of optical models, demonstration of formation flying sensing, maturing permiter
truss technology readiness.
Technology State of the Art: Petals built and truss deployment Technology Performance Goal: Fully flight-like petal with
verified to levels consistent with contrast better than 1×10-10, optical blankets and interfaces, half-scale perimeter truss including optical
model validation at Fresnel number ~ 200, edge coupons meet scatter shield specifically designed for starshade, optical validation at Fresnel
specifications, formation flying algorithms developed. number ~10, 1-m long optical edge samples with stowed radius.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
-10
Contrast < 1x10 for demonstrated petal and truss. Contrast < 1x10-10 for Technology Readiness Level
3 (TRL) 6 petal, truss, formation flying, model validation. 6
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Block starlight so that exoplanet can be seen without glare from the host star.
Capability Description: Provide a deep shadow for the 1×10-10 contrast and inner working angle < 100 mas.
Capability State of the Art: (1) Current petals and truss Capability Performance Goal: Better than 1x10-10 contrast at
deployment verified to levels consistent with contrast better than 1×10- < 100 mas, over a 50% bandwidth. Probe study requires a 30-40 m
10, (2) Optical model validation at Fresnel number ~ 200, (3) Edge class starshade in formation at a distance of 40,000 km with a 1.1 m
coupons meet scatter specifications, (4) Formation flying algorithms commercial telescope. Larger aperture telescope (e.g. 10 m class)
have been developed. would require a larger, more distant starshade.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Demonstrated contrast < 1×10-10 Contrast < 1 x 10-10

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Strategic Missions: Large UV/Visible/IR Surveyor Mission Enabling -- 2035* 2030 10 years
Strategic Missions: Exoplanet Direct Imaging Mission Enabling -- 2030* 2025 10 years
*Launch date is estimated and not in Agency Mission Planning Model (AMPM)

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.3.3 Carbon Nanotube Absorbers and Coatings and
Sensors Occulting Masks
8.1.3 Optical Components

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Carbon nanotube “forests” used for their broadband, high absorption of electromagnetic radiation.
Technology Challenge: Repeatability, durability, characterization (performance, conductivity, radiation), and compatibility with launch and
space environment.
Technology State of the Art: Vertically-oriented, multiwalled Technology Performance Goal: Vertically-oriented, multiwalled
carbon nanotubes adhered to flat surfaces to produce order of carbon nanotubes adhered to arbitrary surfaces compatible with a
magnitude lower reflectivity than paint. space environment.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Reflectivity < 1% in the lab Reflectivity < 1% in a spacelike environment
4 6
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Broadband absorption of electromagnetic radiation.
Capability Description: Provide straylight suppression and radiation absorption for detectors and high-sensitivity optical systems.
Capability State of the Art: Black paints (e.g. Z306 Aeroglaze), Capability Performance Goal: Repeatability, durability, high
thin film coatings, and small absorbing disks for bolometers. absorption, high spectal uniformity.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Reflectivity 3-5% for certain black paints Reflectivity < 1%;
Robust to launch vibration and space thermal and radiation
environment

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Strategic Missions: Gravitational Wave Surveyor Mission Enabling -- 2035* 2035 5 years
*Launch date is estimated and not in Agency Mission Planning Model (AMPM)

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.3.4 Wavefront Control of Large Optical Space Telescope
Sensors
8.1.3 Optical Components

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Wavefront control is a process by which actuators correct the alignment and figure of the telescope optics. It
includes acutator systems and the algorithms/software to drive corrections based on phase-retrieval/wavefront-sensing measurements.
Technology Challenge: Precision actuators compatible with launch, high-bandwidth flight data processing systems, and high-performance
control algorithms.
Technology State of the Art: Control is via rigid-body actuators Technology Performance Goal: Control will be done through
(e.g., as in mirror segment co-phasing or primary-secondary rigid-body actuators to control segment positioning or deformable
alignment), deformable mirrors, or a combination of these. mirrors, or a combination.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Actuator precision: 5 nm; Actuator precision: 1 pm;
Deformable mirrors: 64 × 64 actuators;
4 6
Deformable mirrors: 128 × 128 actuators;
Control bandwidth: > 5 min Control bandwidth: < 5 min
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Wavefront control of large optical space telescopes.
Capability Description: Wavefront sensing and control (WFSC) for a telescope will be an enabling technology required to achieve
the precise figure-error knowledge and stability of the telescope that will enable exoplanet imaging and spectroscopy, as well as general
astrophysics.
Capability State of the Art: A NASA telescope uses rigid body Capability Performance Goal: WFSC for a telescope will be
actuators on the back of each mirror to correct the telescope figure. an enabling technology required to achieve the precise figure-error
The control algorithms are run on the ground and commands sent to knowledge and stability of the telescope that will enable exoplanet
the telescope to implement changes. imaging and spectroscopy, as well as general astrophysics.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Actuator precision: 5 nm; Actuator precision: 1 pm;
Deformable mirrors: 64 × 64 actuators; Deformable mirrors: 128 × 128 actuators;
Control bandwidth: every 14 days Control bandwidth: < 5 min

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Strategic Missions: Large UV/Visible/IR Surveyor Mission Enabling -- 2035* 2030 10 years
Strategic Missions: Exoplanet Direct Imaging Mission Enabling -- 2030* 2025 10 years
*Launch date is estimated and not in Agency Mission Planning Model (AMPM)

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.3.5 Wavefront Sensing of Large Optical Space Telescope
Sensors
8.1.3 Optical Components

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Wavefront sensing for large telescopes is typically performed by either an image-based approach that uses
the captured images to sense the wavefront error, or a metrology-based approach that uses a network of sensors to measure the shape and
relative alignment of the mirrors.
Technology Challenge: Precision metrology systems, high-bandwidth flight data processing systems, and high-performance wavefront
sensing algorithms.
Technology State of the Art: Laser metrology systems on Technology Performance Goal: Wavefront sensing and control
the ground used to measure mirror figure. Also high-speed image (WFSC) for a telescope will be an enabling technology required
processors for high-control bandwidth image-based wavefront to achieve the precise figure-error knowledge and stability of the
sensing. telescope that will enable exoplanet imaging and spectroscopy, as
well as general astrophysics.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Wavefront accuracy: 1 nm; Wavefront accuracy: 25-50 pm;
Control bandwidth: > 5 min
3 Sensing rate: > 0.1 Hz
6
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Wavefront sensing of large optical space telescopes.
Capability Description: WFSC for a telescope will be an enabling technology required to achieve the precise figure-error knowledge and
stability of the telescope that will enable exoplanet imaging and spectroscopy, as well as general astrophysics.

Capability State of the Art: A NASA telescope uses image-based Capability Performance Goal: WFSC for a telescope will be
wavefront sensing to determine the telescope figure and provide that an enabling technology required to achieve the precise figure-error
to the operations team to determine the required figure changes. knowledge and stability of the telescope that will enable exoplanet
imaging and spectroscopy, as well as general astrophysics.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Wavefront accuracy: 10 nm; Wavefront accuracy: 25-50 pm;
Control bandwidth: every 14 days Sensing rate > 0.1 Hz

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Strategic Missions: Large UV/Visible/IR Surveyor Mission Enabling -- 2035* 2030 10 years
Strategic Missions: Exoplanet Direct Imaging Mission Enabling -- 2030* 2025 10 years
*Launch date is estimated and not in Agency Mission Planning Model (AMPM)

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.3.6 Transmission Filter

Sensors
8.1.3 Optical Components

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Narrow, short wavelength band filters (extreme through far ultraviolet) with high transmission that enable high
signal-to-noise in order to observe weak signals in the presence of bright signals found in heliophysics observations.
Technology Challenge: Requires very clean facilities.
Technology State of the Art: Multilayer transmission filters. Technology Performance Goal: Increase in-band transmission
and out-of-band rejection in the 10-200 nm range.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
50% transmission, unstable under space operation, > 50% transmission over a 5-year lifetime and does not
and degrades with ultraviolet (UV) exposure. 9 degrade with UV exposure. 5
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Transmission filters.
Capability Description: Narrow, short wavelength band filters (extreme through far ultraviolet (FUV)) with high transmission that enable
high signal-to-noise in order to observe weak signals in the presence of bright signals found in heliophysics observations.

Capability State of the Art: Thin metal films supported by braces, Capability Performance Goal: Increase stability and transmission
Hinode, Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). in-band and out-of-band rejection in the 10-200 nm range.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
50% transmission, unstable under space operation and degrades with 50% transmission, at +/- 5C window.
UV exposure.

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Explorer Class: Explorer Missions Enhancing -- 2023 2020 2 years

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.3.7 Reflective Filter

Sensors
8.1.3 Optical Components

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Narrow-band filter with high reflectivity that enables high signal-to-noise measurements.
Technology Challenge: Requires very clean facilities.
Technology State of the Art: Multilayer reflective filters, pi filters. Technology Performance Goal: Achieve increased efficiency
and out-of-band rejection.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
5 nm full width half maximum (FWHM) Geospace 1 nm FWHM
> 80% R, 5% out of band
9 > 90% R, < 5% out of band
5
R - Solar Wind 0.1 nm FWHM
> 50% R, < 5% out of band
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Reflective filters.
Capability Description: Prevent the exposure of a focal-plane array (FPA) of photodetectors to light in more than one spectral band at any
given time and to prevent exposure of the array to any light during readout.
Capability State of the Art: Various geospace imagers currently Capability Performance Goal: Geospace 1 nm FWHM
in flight. > 90% Reflective, < 5% out of band
R - Solar Wind 0.1 nm FWHM
> 50% Reflective, < 5% out of band
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
5 nm FWHM; Geospace 1 nm FWHM
80% Reflective > 90% Reflective, < 5% out of band
R - Solar Wind 0.1 nm FWHM
> 50% Reflective, < 5% out of band

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Solar Terrestrial Probes: Dynamical Neutral Atmosphere-Ionosphere
Enhancing -- 2025 2021 3 years
Coupling (DYNAMIC)
Solar Terrestrial Probes: Magnetosphere Energetics, Dynamics, and
Enhancing -- 2032 2030 3 years
Ionospheric Coupling Investigation (MEDICI)
Living with a Star: Geospace Dynamics Constellation (GDC) Enhancing -- 2030 2019 3 years
Explorer Class: Explorer Missions Enhancing -- 2023 2020 3 years

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.3.8 Wide Field of View Reflective Imager
Sensors
8.1.3 Optical Components

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Allow the formation of an image on a flat detector to image near-Earth space from highly elliptical orbits.
Technology Challenge: Requires very clean facilities.
Technology State of the Art: Wide field-of-view (FOV) auroral Technology Performance Goal: Develop fast wide FOV optics.
imagers.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
FOV: 20 degrees; FOV: 30 degrees;
Aperture: 3 cm
9 Aperture: > 60 cm;
6
FOV: 5 degrees;
Aperture: 200 cm
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Near-Earth space imaging.
Capability Description: Wide field-of-view (FOV) auroral imagers.
Capability State of the Art: Various geospace imagers currently Capability Performance Goal: Develop fast wide FOV optics.
in flight.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
FOV: 20 degrees; FOV: 30 degrees;
Aperture: 3 cm Aperture: > 60 cm;
FOV: 5 degrees;
Aperture: 200 cm

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Solar Terrestrial Probes: Dynamical Neutral Atmosphere-Ionosphere
Enhancing -- 2025 2021 3 years
Coupling (DYNAMIC)
Solar Terrestrial Probes: Magnetosphere Energetics, Dynamics, and
Enhancing -- 2032 2030 3 years
Ionospheric Coupling Investigation (MEDICI)
Living with a Star: Geospace Dynamics Constellation (GDC) Enhancing -- 2030 2019 3 years

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.3.9 Quantum Optical Interferometer

Sensors
8.1.3 Optical Components

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Interferometry with sensitivity significantly better than the quantum shot noise limit.
Technology Challenge: Develop robust squeezed-states laser interferometers and measure their performance.
Technology State of the Art: Laboratory experiments; laser Technology Performance Goal: > 10× measurement
interferometer gravitational wave observatory (LIGO) gravitational improvement over shot noise limit; space capable system.
wave observatory tests.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Atom cooling to ~10 nK Atom cooling to ~100 pK
Accelerometer noise > 1x10-12 g/Hz1/2
2 Accelerometer noise < 1x10-13 g/Hz1/2
6
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Quantum entangled-photon measurements for applications like gravitational-wave observatories or sensitive laser-ring
gyros.
Capability Description: Provide the ability to produce and measure quantum entangled-photons with lasers.
Capability State of the Art: Laboratory experiments Capability Performance Goal: Provide the ability to produce and
demonstrating atom cooling and interrogation times of ~1 sec. measure quantum entangled-photons with lasers with the potential to
improve the sensitivity of optical interferometers by multiple orders of
magnitude.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Atom cooling to ~10 nK Atom cooling to ~100 pK
Accelerometer noise > 1x10-12 g/Hz1/2 Accelerometer noise < 1x10-13 g/Hz1/2

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Strategic Missions: Gravitational Wave Surveyor Mission Enhancing -- 2035* 2035 20 years
*Launch date is estimated and not in Agency Mission Planning Model (AMPM)

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.4.1 High Density, Low-Cost Phased Array Panel
Sensors
8.1.4 Microwave, Millimeter- and
Submillimeter-Waves

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Phased arrays provide radar beam steering agility that enables new radar measurement concepts. New IC
technologies, such as mixed-signal silicon germanium (SiGe), enable higher densities, lower noise figures, and lower costs.
Technology Challenge: Achieve high transmit efficiency, lower noise figure, low-cost efficient packaging, and signal routing; support
polarimetry and high radiation levels.
Technology State of the Art: Radar transmit/receive elements Technology Performance Goal: Larger arrays for high spatial
flown on Terra-SAR X. resolution and transmit power.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Hundreds of elements (for example: Terra-SAR X: 384 Number of elements: 10,000
elements). 3 5
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Remote sensing of the environment.
Capability Description: Enable remote sensing of the environment or planetary systems for lower cost and resource requirement.
Capability State of the Art: Hundreds of radar transmit/receive Capability Performance Goal: Enable arrays of tens of
elements (e.g., Terra-SAR X: 384 elements) for phased array thousands of elements.
antennas.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Number of elements: 384 Number of elements: 10,000

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Earth Systematic Missions: Snow and Cold Land Processes (SCLP) Enhancing -- 2024* 2019 4 years
*Launch date is estimated and not in Agency Mission Planning Model (AMPM)

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.4.2 High-Efficiency Pulsed Radar Transmitter
Sensors
8.1.4 Microwave, Millimeter- and
Submillimeter-Waves

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Pulsed radar transmitters with high efficiencies at all wavelengths to enable or reduce cost for both Earth and
planetary radar missions.
Technology Challenge: Circuit losses dissipate increasing amounts of power as frequency increases; device bandwidth limits use of higher
efficiency amplifier topologies.
Technology State of the Art: Resonable efficiency over limited Technology Performance Goal: Increasing transmitter efficiency
bandwidth. at all frequencies is a key element of enabling and reducing cost for
both Earth and planetary radar missions.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
40 % at X-/ku-band; 55% at X-/ku-band;
35% at ka-band;
3 60% at ka-band;
5
25% at W-band 40% at W-band
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Mapping for climate change.
Capability Description: Enables global freeze and thaw monitoring and soil moisture mapping, accurate global wind retrieval, and snow
inundation mapping, global three-dimensional (3D) mapping of rainfall and cloud systems, precise topographic mapping and natural hazard
monitoring, global ocean topographic mapping, and glacial ice mapping for climate change studies.
Capability State of the Art: High-efficiency pulsed transmitters Capability Performance Goal: Enable efficient mapping and
used for remote sensing. monitoring of climate change events.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
40% at X-/ku-band; 55% at X-/ku-band;
35% at ka-band; 60% at ka-band;
25% at W-band 40% at W-band

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Earth Systematic Missions: Snow and Cold Land Processes (SCLP) Enhancing -- 2024* 2019 4 years
Earth Systematic Missions: Aerosol-Cloud-Ecosystems (ACE) Enhancing -- 2024* 2020 4 years
*Launch date is estimated and not in Agency Mission Planning Model (AMPM)

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.4.3 Millimeter Wave Multi-Frequency Active Microwave
Sensors Feed Array (Radar)
8.1.4 Microwave, Millimeter- and
Submillimeter-Waves

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Active (steerable) source of multiple frequency positioned around the focal locus of a collimating reflector to
achieve collocated, multiparametric radar measurements.
Technology Challenge: Layout, packaging, and thermal behind millimeter-scale radiative structures; maximizing RF efficiency.
Technology State of the Art: 8-94 GHz feed array unsteered for Technology Performance Goal: Active (steerable) source of
W band. multiple frequency positioned around the focal locus of a collimating
reflector to achieve collocated multiparametric radar measurements.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Frequency Bands: Ku/Ka/W; Scanning Range: 20 Frequency Bands: Ku/Ka/W;
degrees 4 Scanning Range: > 10-20 degrees
6
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Mapping for climate change.
Capability Description: Enables global freeze and thaw monitoring and soil moisture mapping, accurate global wind retrieval and snow
inundation mapping, global three-dimensional (3D) mapping of rainfall and cloud systems, precise topographic mapping and natural hazard
monitoring, global ocean topographic mapping, and glacial ice mapping for climate change studies.
Capability State of the Art: Active multiband unsteered feed array. Capability Performance Goal: Active (steerable) source of
multiple frequency positioned around the focal locus of a collimating
reflector to achieve collocated multiparametric radar measurements.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Frequency Bands; Ku (~15GHz, Ka (~35GHz), W (~94 GHz) with AFrequency Bands; Ku (~15GHz, Ka (~35GHz), W (~94 GHz) in one
individual feeds array

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Earth Systematic Missions: Aerosol-Cloud-Ecosystems (ACE) Enabling -- 2024* 2020 5 years
*Launch date is estimated and not in Agency Mission Planning Model (AMPM)

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.4.4 Low-Cost Landing/Proximity Radar

Sensors
8.1.4 Microwave, Millimeter- and
Submillimeter-Waves

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Small, low-cost, landing radars and proximity sensors suitable for planetary landing missions.
Technology Challenge: Non-recurring engineering costs and schedule risks discourage development by mission-needs demonstration to
be viable option.
Technology State of the Art: Landing radar system used for the Technology Performance Goal: Power and mass reduction by
Mars Science Laboratory (MSL). 50%.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Mass: 29 kg; Mass: 2 kg;
Power: 30 W;
3 Power: 5 W;
6
Cost: $10 M Cost: $1 M
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Pinpoint landing.
Capability Description: Enables pinpoint landing capability to allow robotic missions to access science targets that are currently
inaccessible.
Capability State of the Art: Space-qualified landing radar flown Capability Performance Goal: Reduce mass, power, and volume
on the MSL. of current MSL instrument. Provide pinpoint-landing capability to allow
robotic missions to access currently-inaccessible science targets.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Landing accuracy: 4 km x 10 km ellipse Landing accuracy: 0.1 of target landing site

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Discovery: Later Discovery Program Enhancing -- 2026 2023 8 years

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.4.5 Tunable Multi-Pixel Submillimeter-Wave Spectrometer
Sensors
8.1.4 Microwave, Millimeter- and
Submillimeter-Waves

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: High-resolution, multi-pixel, submillimeter-wave, spectrally-tunable spectrometers.
Technology Challenge: Heterodyne receivers with large tunability have not been demonstrated in relevent environment.
Technology State of the Art: Fix tuned systems provide very little Technology Performance Goal: 15-20% tunability across
tunability. submm-wave bands.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
1-2% 10%
9 5
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Provide a highly-tunable broadband submillimeter-wave spectrometer to detect molecular species (needed for surface
and atmospheric characterization of planetary bodies, atmospheric composition, interstellar matter identification, and atmospheric chemistry
and dynamics).
Capability Description: When exploring environments where it is unknown at the time of instrument design all the important gases present,
or the chemical pathways acting, it is critically important to have a widely-tunable spectrometer. This maximizes the number of species that
can be measured and allows new species to be targeted as discoveries are made. Traditional instruments (e.g. Microwave Instrument for the
Rosetta Orbiter (MIRO) and Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS)) are fixed tuned to a small number of species that are identified at the time the
instrument is proposed and built.
Capability State of the Art: The MIRO instrument onboard the Capability Performance Goal: Spectral tunability.
Rosetta spacecraft is fixed tuned to 8 submillimeter lines: H2O, H217O,
H218O, CO, NH3, and three CH3OH lines.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Fixed to pre-determined frequencies/species 20% tunability

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Planetary Flagship: Europa Enhancing -- 2022* 2019 5 years
Earth Systematic Missions: Global Atmosphere Composition Mission
Enhancing -- 2024* 2019 5 years
(GACM)
*Launch date is estimated and not in Agency Mission Planning Model (AMPM)

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.5.1 2.05 μm Pulsed Laser

Sensors
8.1.5 Lasers

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: 2.05 micron pulsed laser for light detection and ranging (LIDAR) measurements.
Technology Challenge: Efficiency, power output, stability, thermal, power, and mass challenges.
Technology State of the Art: Tunable direct or coherent detection Technology Performance Goal: Increase output energy, spectral
LIDAR-based on application. stability, and lifetime while increasing system efficiency.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Output energy: 30-300 mJ; Output energy: 32 to 320 mJ/Pulse;
Pulse repetition rate: 5-50Hz; Efficiency: 2-4%
5 Pulse repetition rate: 120 to 1500 Hz;
6
Laser Lifetime: > 3 years;
Efficiency: > 10%
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Space-based wind and dial measurements.
Capability Description: Perform integrated column depth measurement of carbon dioxide (CO2) and tropospheric wind measurement.
Capability State of the Art: Demonstrated in airborne system. Capability Performance Goal: Perform integrated column depth
measurement of CO2 to < 1ppm, wind speed measurement to < 1m/s
profiled through troposphere.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Aircraft qualified design that is water cooled with efficiency of 2-4% Space-qualified design that is conductively cooled with efficiency of >
10%

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Earth Systematic Missions: Three-Dimensional Tropospheric Winds from
Enabling -- 2030* 2025 5 years
Space-based LIDAR (3D Winds)
*Launch date is estimated and not in Agency Mission Planning Model (AMPM)

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.5.2 355 nm, Single-Frequency Pulsed Laser
Sensors
8.1.5 Lasers

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: 355 nm pulsed laser used for backscatter from molecules to determine wind speed at high altitudes.
Technology Challenge: Efficiency, power output, stability, thermal, power, and mass challenges.
Technology State of the Art: High-energy, short-pulse source for Technology Performance Goal: Increase output energy, spectral
molecular backscatter (winds), aerosol backscatter. stability, and damage resistance while increasing system efficiency.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Output energy: 30-350 mJ; Output energy: > 50 watts;
Pulse repetition rate: 10-300 Hz;
5 Pulse repetition rate: 50 to 1500 Hz;
6
Laser lifetime: in test Laser lifetime: > 3 years;
Efficiency: > 15%
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Space-based wind and atmospheric aerosol characterization.
Capability Description: Space-based wind and aerosol measurements.
Capability State of the Art: Determine wind speed from molecular Capability Performance Goal: Measure wind speeds to < 1m/s
returns and backscatter parameters from aerosols. and perform range resolved aerosol backscatter measurements.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Output energy: 30-350 mJ; Measure wind speeds to < 1m/s and perform range resolved aerosol
Pulse repetition rate: 10-300 Hz; backscatter measurements
Laser lifetime: in test

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Earth Systematic Missions: Three-Dimensional Tropospheric Winds from
Enabling -- 2030* 2025 5 years
Space-based LIDAR (3D Winds)
*Launch date is estimated and not in Agency Mission Planning Model (AMPM)

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.5.3 Pulsed Laser for Altimetry, Earth
Sensors
8.1.5 Lasers

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Short-pulsed, 1 micron lasers used with fast detectors to perform time-of-flight measurements.
Technology Challenge: Efficiency, higher power for uncooperative targets, narrower pulse lengths, higher efficiency detectors, multi-beam
or scanning.
Technology State of the Art: Short-pulsed, 1 micron lasers are Technology Performance Goal: Increase output energy, spectral
used with fast detectors to perform time-of-flight measurements. stability, and lifetime while increasing system efficiency.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Wallplug efficiency: 10%; Wallplug efficiency: 20%;
Multi-beam array: 9 beams at 222 μJ/beam
4 Multi-beam array: 1,000 beams at 100 μJ/ beam
6
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Space-based laser altimetry.
Capability Description: Measure the two-way time of flight to the Earth’s surface for precision mapping.
Capability State of the Art: Has been flown in IceSAT-I. Capability Performance Goal: Measure the surface to centimeter
scales with broad swath to increase overlap and repeat cycles.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Wallplug efficiency: 10%; Measure the surface to centimeter scales with broad swath to
Multi-beam array: 9 beams at 222 μJ/beam increase overlap and repeat cycles.

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Earth Systematic Missions: LIDAR Surface Topography (LIST) Enabling -- 2024* 2019 5 years
*Launch date is estimated and not in Agency Mission Planning Model (AMPM)

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.5.4 3D Imaging Flash Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR)
Sensors
8.1.5 Lasers

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Light detection and ranging (LIDAR) to produce surface elevation maps on centimeter scales at distances of 2
kilometers for uncooperative targets and 5 kilometers for cooperative targets.
Technology Challenge: Efficiency, power output, stability, thermal, power, and mass challenges.
Technology State of the Art: Provide short-pulse laser Technology Performance Goal: Faster readout, higher energy
illumination for a large flash focal plane array “imager.” flash illumination, higher system efficiency, and increased radiation
tolerance.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Power: 30 Hz and 40 mJ; Larger area array greater than 64k pixels;
128 x 128 array detectors (16K pixels);
6 Signal dynamic range greater than 1,000;
6
Range precision: 8 cm Range precision better than 5 cm;
Order of magnitude lower minimum detectable signal
than current state;
Order of magnitude higher efficiency and smaller laser
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Space-based 3D imaging flash LIDAR.
Capability Description: Perform surface elevation maps on centimeter scales.
Capability State of the Art: Origins-Spectral Interpretation- Capability Performance Goal: Produce surface elevation maps
Resource Identification-Security Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-Rex) on centimeter scales from 2 km distance.
mission, docking demonstration to the International Space Station Detect cooperative targets from over 5 km.
(ISS), airborne vegetation measurement.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Range precision of 8 cm for non-cooperative targets. Range image precision better than 5 cm;
Range accuracy better than 20 cm (this is the accuracy of target
range from frame to frame and not the range noise within the frame);
Percentage of bad image pixels less than 0.5%

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Discovery: Discovery 14 Enabling -- 2023 2020 5 years
Exploring Other Worlds: DRM 6 Crewed to NEA Enabling -- 2027 2021 5 years
New Frontiers: New Frontiers 5 (NF5/~2022 AO Release) Enabling -- 2029 2021 5 years

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.5.5 0.765/1.572 μm Pulsed Laser

Sensors
8.1.5 Lasers

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: A dual-channel laser is used in a laser absorption spectrometer (1.57 micron) to detect carbon dioxide (CO2) and
measure surface pressure (0.765 micron).
Technology Challenge: Efficiency, power output, stability, thermal, power, and mass challenges.
Technology State of the Art: Demonstrated in airborne system. Technology Performance Goal: Increase output energy, spectral
stability, and lifetime while increasing system efficiency.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Output energy: 1 mJ level; Repetition rate: kHz regime; Output energy: > 3/3/65 mJ;
Efficiency: < 10%
5 Repetition rate: 10 kHz/10 kHz/50 Hz; Efficiency:
6
3.5/7/5%
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Space-based dial measurements.
Capability Description: Perform integrated column depth measurement of CO2 and oxygen pressure measurement.
Capability State of the Art: Differential absorption measurement Capability Performance Goal: Perform integrated column depth
using time of flight for range gating. measurement of CO2 to < 1ppm.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Output energy: 5 mJ level; Perform integrated column depth measurement of CO2 to < 1ppm
Repetition rate; kHz regime;
Efficiency: < 10%

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Earth Systematic Missions: Active Sensing of CO2 Emissions over
Enabling -- 2023 2016 2 years
Nights, Days, and Seasons (ASCENDS)

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.5.6 Seed Laser

Sensors
8.1.5 Lasers

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Continuous wave (CW) diode or fiber seed sources used to tune lasers over a range of wavelengths.
Technology Challenge: Efficiency, power output, stability, thermal, power, and mass challenges.
Technology State of the Art: Lab breadboard integrated into Technology Performance Goal: Increase output energy, spectral
optical fiber. stability, and lifetime while increasing system efficiency.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Power: 60 mW Power: 100 mW;
3 Goals: high electrical efficiency, ruggedized and high
6
temperature operation.
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Wind and dial measurements.
Capability Description: Provide space-based wind and dial measurements.
Capability State of the Art: Various wavelength sources to “seed” Capability Performance Goal: Provide narrow linewidth, stable
targeted wavelength and line width sources for sensing. operation, powers above 100 mW, inputs for high power laser
systems.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Power: 60 mW Power: 100 mW

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Earth Systematic Missions: Active Sensing of CO2 Emissions over
Enhancing -- 2023 2016 2 years
Nights, Days, and Seasons (ASCENDS)
Earth Systematic Missions: Three-Dimensional Tropospheric
Enabling -- 2030* 2025 3 years
Winds from Space-based LIDAR (3D Winds)
*Launch date is estimated and not in Agency Mission Planning Model (AMPM)

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.5.7 Pulsed Laser

Sensors
8.1.5 Lasers

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: 1,064 nm LIDAR used for generating surface elevation maps and surface feature mapping.
Technology Challenge: Efficiency, higher power for uncooperative targets, narrower pulse lengths, and higher efficiency detectors.
Technology State of the Art: Short-pulsed, space-qualified 1 Technology Performance Goal: Increase output energy,
micron lasers are used with fast detectors to perform time-of-flight radiation tolerance while increasing system efficiency.
measurements.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Profiling: Single Lifetime: 6x108; Sample rate: 1-40 Hz Profiling: Multi-beams;
9 6
Lifetime: > 109 shots;
Rate: 40 Hz-100 kHz
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Surface elevation maps.
Capability Description: Produce surface elevation maps.
Capability State of the Art: Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA), Capability Performance Goal: Produce surface elevation maps
Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA), Mercury Laser Altimeter (MLA), on centimeter scales.
NASA Sounding Rockets (NSR). Previous altimetric missions.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Profiling: Single Lifetime: 6×108; Profiling: Multi-beams;
Sample Rate: 1-40 Hz. Lifetime: > 109 shots;
Rate: 40 Hz-100 kHz;
Efficiency: > 10%

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Discovery: Discovery 13 Enabling -- 2020 2017 3 years
Discovery: Discovery 14 Enabling -- 2023 2020 5 years
Explorer Class: Explorer Missions Enabling -- 2023 2020 5 years

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.5.8 Pulse Tunable Near Infrared/Infrared Laser
Sensors (Gas Detection)
8.1.5 Lasers

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: In-situ source for gas detection and typing, infrared (IR) lasers proposed for Light detection and ranging (LIDAR)
detection or entry, descent, and landing (EDL) application.
Technology Challenge: Stability, power, efficiency, and linewidth, size contraints, radiation environments.
Technology State of the Art: Current systems aim for PPB levels Technology Performance Goal: Measurement dependent; need
for ranges at ~ 1 kilometer. high signal-to-noise ration (SNR) for high precision measurement,
laser stability, efficiency, power, key parameters.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Wallplug: 2%; Wallplug: > 10%;
Single Frequency: 40 μJ
4 Single Frequency: 100 μJ
6
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Tunable near-infrared/infrared laser (gas detection)
Capability Description: Remote/in-situ source for gas detection and typing, IR lasers proposed for LIDAR detection or EDL application
(future).
Capability State of the Art: Diode or small fiber/solid-state lasers Capability Performance Goal: Measurement dependent; need
as source for spectrometry. high SNR for high precision measurement, laser stability, efficiency,
power, key parameters.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Wallplug: 5%; Wallplug: > 10%;
Single Frequency: 100 μJ Single Frequency: 100 μJ

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Discovery: Discovery 14 Enabling -- 2023 2020 5 years
Explorer Class: Explorer Missions Enabling -- 2023 2020 5 years

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.5.9 Continuous Wave Tunable Near Infrared/Infrared for
Sensors Gas Detection
8.1.5 Lasers

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: In-situ laser source for gas detection and charaterization.
Technology Challenge: Efficiency, higher power for uncooperative targets, narrower pulse lengths, higher efficiency detectors, multi-beam
or scanning.
Technology State of the Art: Diode or small fiber/solid-state Technology Performance Goal: Measurement dependent; need
lasers as source for spectrometry. high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for high precision measurement, laser
stability, efficiency, power, key parameters.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Only a few selected λ regions. 1-15 μm
4 6
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Gas detection and characterization.
Capability Description: In-situ source for gas detection and typing.
Capability State of the Art: Current systems aim for sub-PPB Capability Performance Goal: Measurement dependent; need
levels for in-situ path of 1 m. high SNR for high precision measurement, laser stability, efficiency,
power, key parameters.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Some λ regions 1-15 μm

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Discovery: Discovery 14 Enabling -- 2023 2020 5 years
Explorer Class: Explorer Missions Enabling -- 2023 2020 5 years

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.5.10 1.65 μm Pulsed Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR)
Sensors
8.1.5 Lasers

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Lasers operating in this wavelength band have been identified as good candidates for remote methane sensing.
Technology Challenge: Efficiency, power output, stability, thermal, power, and mass challenges.
Technology State of the Art: Differential absorption measurement Technology Performance Goal: Increase output energy, spectral
using time-of-flight for range gating. stability, and lifetime while increasing system efficiency.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Energy: 4 mJ@1 kHz, 9 mJ at 50 Hz; Lifetime: > 3 years;
No lifetime data
4 Energy: 5-10 mJ at 50 to 1 kHz.
6
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Dial measurements of methane (CH4).
Capability Description: Perform integrated column depth or profile measurement of CH4.
Capability State of the Art: Lab breadboard. Capability Performance Goal: Measure CH4 to in column and in
profile.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Lifetime is dependent upon targeted measurement architecture, high Measure CH4 to level that allows idenficiation sources.
pulse low repetition rate, or low pulse high repetition rate.

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Discovery: Discovery 14 Enabling -- 2023 2020 5 years
Explorer Class: Explorer Missions Enabling -- 2022 2020 5 years

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.5.11 Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) Fiber Transmitter
Sensors
8.1.5 Lasers

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Advanced fiber-based laser transmitters with 0.01 to 20 mJ pulse energy in the visible to near infrared (IR) for
light detection and ranging (LIDARs).
Technology Challenge: Efficiency, power output, stability, thermal, power, and mass challenges.
Technology State of the Art: Measurement dependent; need high Technology Performance Goal: Develop advanced, fiber-based
signal-to-noise ration (SNR) for high precision measurement, laser laser transmitters with 0.01 to 20 mJ pulse energy in the visible to
stability, efficiency, power, key parameters near IR for LIDARs.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Continuous wave (CW) amplifiers > 30 W, wavelength Measurement dependent.
dependent, pulsed energies moving into the mJ regime. 5 6
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Fiber transmitters.
Capability Description: Differential absorption measurement using time-of-flight for range gating.
Capability State of the Art: Space communications demo, Capability Performance Goal: Differential absorption
systems demonstrating airborne retrievals. measurement using time-of-flight for range gating.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
CW amplifiers > 30 W, wavelength dependent, pulsed energies Measurement dependent.
moving into the mJ regime.

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Discovery: Discovery 14 Enabling -- 2023 2020 5 years
Explorer Class: Explorer Missions Enabling -- 2023 2020 5 years

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.5.12 Diode Laser for Vector Helium Magnetometer (VHM)
Sensors
8.1.5 Lasers

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Ultra narrow laser system needed to make high-precision magnetic field measurement.
Technology Challenge: Efficiency, power output, stability, thermal, power, and mass challenges.
Technology State of the Art: Pump atoms into excited state, Technology Performance Goal: Ultra narrow laser system to
detect the magnetic field impacts as they decay. make high-precision magnetic field measurement.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Power: 1.083 μm, 1 mW Power: > 10 mW
5 6
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Magnetic field measurements.
Capability Description: Provide high-precision magnetic field measurement.
Capability State of the Art: Sensitivity to the sub- femto-Tesla Capability Performance Goal: Provide high-precision and
range, vector and scalar products from a space environment. stability magnetic field measurement.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Power: 1.083 μm, 1 mW Power: > 10 mW

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Discovery: Discovery 14 Enabling -- 2023 2020 5 years
Explorer Class: Explorer Missions Enabling -- 2023 2020 5 years
*Launch date is estimated and not in Agency Mission Planning Model (AMPM)

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.5.13 Laser Interferometer

Sensors
8.1.5 Lasers

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Space-based lasers for interferometry.
Technology Challenge: Efficiency, power output, stability, thermal, power, and mass challenges.
Technology State of the Art: Extremely stable, highly narrow Technology Performance Goal: High stability, long-lived
frequency sources used to measure drift between systems performance, and efficiency are key.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Single Frequency; Stable Noise Single Frequency, Frequency Comb Ultra Stable, Low
6 Noise 6
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Gravitational wave measurement.
Capability Description: Provide gravitational waves measurement.
Capability State of the Art: Measure relative displacement to < Capability Performance Goal: Provide gravitational wave
10 pm resolution, over a distance of a million km, yielding a strain measurement with high stability, long-lived performance, and
sensitivity of better than 1 part in 1020 in the low-frequency band about efficiency.
a millihertz.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Single Frequency; Ultra Stable Single Frequency; Frequency Comb
UltraStable, Low Noise

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Strategic Missions: Gravitational Wave Surveyor Mission Enabling -- 2035* 2035 5 years
*Launch date is estimated and not in Agency Mission Planning Model (AMPM)

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.6.1 4 K Cryocooler

Sensors
8.1.6 Cryogenic / Thermal

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Advance space flight pulse tube, Stirling, Joule-Thomson, and turbo-Brayton cryocoolers.
Technology Challenge: Improving thermodynamic efficiency and reliability.
Technology State of the Art: Existing pulse tube, Stirling, Joule- Technology Performance Goal: Extend James Webb Space
Thomson and turbo-Brayton coolers are at Technology Readiness Telescope (JWST) cryocooler capability to enable cooling from a base
Level (TRL) 4 for far-infrared (IR) interferometric mission application. temperature of ~300 K and cooling to ~4 K.
Cryocooler systems currently cool to 6 K.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Heat lift of 60 mW at 6 K Heat lift: 180 mW at 18 K and 72 mW at 4 K with < 200
4 W input power 6
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Instrument and optics cooling for future millimeter, far-IR, and X-ray missions.
Capability Description: Optics and refrigerators for far-IR, millimeter, and certain X-ray missions require very low temperatures of
operation (typically, ~4 K). Compact, low-power, lightweight, low-vibration coolers suitable for space flight are needed to provide this cooling. 4
K cryocoolers also provide the heat sink for sub-Kelvin coolers.
Capability State of the Art: Four-stage pulse tube cryocooler with Capability Performance Goal: Extend current cryocooler
single compressor or three-stage Stirling/pulse tube with 4 K Joule capability to enable cooling from a base temperature of ~300 K and
Thomson stage. cooling to ~4 K.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Heat lift: 60 mW at 6 K; Heat lift: 180 mW at 18 K and 72 mW at 4 K with < 200 W input power
Efficiency: 10 W/mW

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Strategic Missions: Far Infrared Surveyor Mission Enhancing -- 2035* 2035 10 years
*Launch date is estimated and not in Agency Mission Planning Model (AMPM)

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.6.2 Continuous Sub-K Refrigerator

Sensors
8.1.6 Cryogenic / Thermal

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Adiabatic Demagnetization Refrigerator (ADR) or He3/He4 dilution refrigerator that can be directly coupled to
mechanical cryocoolers.
Technology Challenge: Operation from higher temperatures, reduced mass, greater efficiency, and reduced stray field.
Technology State of the Art: Existing continuous ADR Technology Performance Goal: Compact, high-efficiency cooler
demonstrations and solid-state cooling approach based on quantum capable of operating from a range of mechanical cryocoolers and
tunneling through normal insulator-superconductor (NIS) junctions. providing multiple temperature-controlled stages for electronics,
such as superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID)
amplifiers,and optics. Compatible (with sufficient shielding) with
magnetically-sensitive superconducting detectors, including SQUIDs.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Heat lift of 3 μW at 46 mK and 1 μW at 30 mK; Heat lift of 5 μW at 50 mK and 1 μW at 30 mK;
100% duty cycle: operation from 5 K heat sink.
3 100% duty cycle plus heat lift of 1-5 mW at 1-4K:
6
operation from > 15 K heat sink
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: Compact, high field, low current,
higher critical temperature superconducting magnets.

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Continuous sub-Kelvin refrigerators that can be integrated into a high-efficiency (low input power), long-life cooling
system.
Capability Description: Optics and detectors for far-infrared (IR), millimeter, and certain X-ray missions require very low temperatures
of operation, typically in the tens of milli-Kelvins. Compact, low-power, lightweight coolers suitable for space flight are needed to provide this
cooling.
Capability State of the Art: ADR (Astro-H): three-stage device Capability Performance Goal: Compact, high-efficiency cooler
with continuous cooling at 1.4K with single-shot cooling to 50 mK. capable of operating from a range of mechanical cryocoolers and
Dilution refrigerator (Planck): Open loop at 100 mK with 1.6K upper providing multiple temperature-controlled stages for electronics (e.g.,
stage. SQUID amplifiers) and optics. Compatible (with sufficient shielding)
with magnetically sensitive superconducting detectors, including
SQUIDs
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
ADR: 1.3 μW heat lift at 50 mK, > 97% duty cycle, (1.2 K LHe heat Heat lift of 5 μW at 50 mK and 1 μW at 30 mK
sink), OR 1.3 μW heat lift at 50 mK, >94% duty cycle + 1 mW heat lift 100% Duty Cycle plus heat lift of 1-5 mW at 1-4K; operation from > 15
at 1.4 K, 100% duty cycle (4.5 K cryocooler heat sink). K heat sink.
Dilution fridge: 0.14 μW heat lift at 100 mK, 100% duty cycle (1.4 K
heat sink), ~ 2 year lifetime.

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Strategic Missions: Far Infrared Surveyor Mission Enhancing -- 2035* 2035 10 years
Strategic Missions: X-ray Surveyor Mission Enhancing -- 2035* 2030 10 years
Strategic Missions: CMB Polarization Surveyor Mission Enabling -- 2035* 2035 10 years
*Launch date is estimated and not in Agency Mission Planning Model (AMPM)

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8.1 Remote Sensing Instruments and 8.1.6.3 Low Cost Cryocooler

Sensors
8.1.6 Cryogenic / Thermal

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Low-cost, single-stage cryocooler for cooling sensors and optics.
Technology Challenge: Poor thermodynamic efficiency.
Technology State of the Art: Current low cost pulse technology Technology Performance Goal: Technology performance
demonstrated 55 K operation at a cost of less than one million dollars. goal is to achieve 1.3 W at 55 K with 46 W electrical input power to
compressor.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Heat lift: 1.3 W at 55 K; Heat lift: 1.3 W at 55 K;
Efficiency: 115 W/W for space and under $1 M
5 Efficiency: 35.4 W/W
6
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Low-cost instrument cryocooling.
Capability Description: Low-cost, single-stage cryocooler for cooling sensors and optics.
Capability State of the Art: Flight single-stage pulse tube Capability Performance Goal: Flight single-stage pulse tube
cryocooler available at a cost of many millions of dollars. cryocooler available for less than a million dollars.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Heat lift; 1.3 W at 55 K; Heat lift: 1.3 W at 55 K;
Efficiency: 35.4 W/W Efficiency: 50 W/W for space and under $1 M

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Explorer Class: Explorer Missions Enabling -- 2023 2020 2 years
Suborbital: Earth Venture Suborbital Enabling -- On-going -- 2 years
*Launch date is estimated and not in Agency Mission Planning Model (AMPM)

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8.2. Observatories 8.2.1.1 High-Energy X-Ray Grazing Incidence Mirror

8.2.1 Mirror Systems

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: High energy X-ray precision surface lighweight mirror.
Technology Challenge: Thin mirror shells are very difficult to mount without imparting distortions.
Technology State of the Art: Replicated optics. Technology Performance Goal: Improve resolution while
reducing the mass of the X-ray optics.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Resolution: 11 arcsec; Resolution: 0.1 arcsec;
Areal density: 2 kg/m2
7 Areal density: 0.5 kg/m2
4
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: High energy X-ray optics.
Capability Description: Perform deep-sky observations of the high energy X-ray universe.
Capability State of the Art: Low-resolution thin reflectors (Nuclear Capability Performance Goal: Improve resolution while reducing
Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR)). the mass of the X-ray optics.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Resolution: 60 arcsec; Resolution: 0.1 arcsec;
Areal density: 0.5 kg/m2; Areal density: 0.5 kg/m2
Diameter: 0.04 m

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Strategic Missions: X-ray Surveyor Mission Enabling -- 2035* 2030 8 years
*Launch date is estimated and not in Agency Mission Planning Model (AMPM)

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8.2. Observatories 8.2.1.2 Low-Energy X-Ray Grazing Incidence Mirror

8.2.1 Mirror Systems

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Low-energy X-ray precision surface lightweight mirror.
Technology Challenge: Thin mirror shells very difficult to mount without imparting distortions.
Technology State of the Art: Replicated optics, segmented Technology Performance Goal: Improve observation capability
mirrors, and slumped silicon optics. by increasing resolution while reducing the mass of the X-ray optics.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Resolution: 10 arcsec; Resolution: 0.1 arcsec;
Areal density: < 1 kg/m2 areal density
9 Areal density: 1 kg/m2
6
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Low energy X-ray optics.
Capability Description: Probe tens to hundreds of times deeper into the X-ray universe with large-aperture, low-weight, high-resolution
X-ray optics.
Capability State of the Art: High-resolution thick reflectors Capability Performance Goal: Improve observation capability by
(Chandra). increasing resolution while reducing the mass of the X-ray optics.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Resolution: 0.6 arcsec; Resolution: 0.1 arcsec;
Areal density: 60 kg/m2 Areal density: 1 kg/m2

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Strategic Missions: X-ray Surveyor Mission Enabling -- 2035* 2030 8 years
*Launch date is estimated and not in Agency Mission Planning Model (AMPM)

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8.2. Observatories 8.2.1.3 Normal Incidence Monolithic Mirror for Large

8.2.1 Mirror Systems Aperture Ultraviolet/Visible/Near-Infrared Telescopes

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Large, low-cost, lightweight precision monolithic mirror that provides a high degree of thermal and dynamic
stability, and wavefront sensing and control for ultra-stable large aperture, ultraviolet (UV)/visible/near-infrared (IR) telescopes.
Technology Challenge: For diffraction-limited performance, maintaining wavefront stability as aperture grows and wavelengths shrink.
Technology State of the Art: Closed-back ultra low expansion Technology Performance Goal: Develop lightweight monolithic
(ULE) mirrors up to 2.4 m size; open-back Zerodur or Be mirrors UV, visible, and near-IR mirror.
under 2 m size.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Diameter: 2.4 m; Diameter: 3 to 8 m;
Figure: 20 nm rms;
5 5
Figure: < 10 nm rms;
Reflectivity: > 50%, 140-900 nm; Re lectivity; > 60%, 90-900 nm;
Areal density: 186 kg/m2; Areal density: 20 (preferably 5–10 kg/m2), kg/m2;
Wavefront stability: < 10 nm rms Wavefront stability: < 10 pm rms for 10 minutes under
for 90 minutes; thermal control;
Areal cost: $12 M/m2 Areal cost: < $2 M/m2
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Deep UV/visible/near-IR sky observations.
Capability Description: UV/visible/near-IR observations to answer the questions raised by Hubble Space Telescope (HST), James Webb
Space Telescope (JWST), Planck and Hershel, and to complement the ≥ 30-m ground-based telescopes that will be coming online in the next
decade.
Capability State of the Art: Observations with monolithic mirrors Capability Performance Goal: Higher resolution and greater
used by the Hubble Space Telescope. sensitivity.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Diameter: 2.4 m; Diameter: 3 to 8 m;
Figure: < 10 nm rms; Figure: < 10 nm rms;
Reflectivity: > 60%, 120-900nm; Re lectivity; > 60%, 90-900 nm;
Areal density: 240 kg/m2; Areal density: 20 (or 400) kg/m2;
Wavefront stability: Not measured; Wavefront stability: < 10 pm rms for 10 minutes under thermal control;
Areal cost: $12 M/m2 Areal cost: < $2 M/m2

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Strategic Missions: Exoplanet Direct Imaging Mission Enhancing -- 2030* 2025 5 years
Strategic Missions: Large UV/Visible/IR Surveyor Mission Enabling -- 2035* 2030 5 years
*Launch date is estimated and not in Agency Mission Planning Model (AMPM)

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8.2. Observatories 8.2.1.4 Normal Incidence Segmented Mirror for Large-Aperture

8.2.1 Mirror Systems Ultraviolet/Visible/Near-Infrared Telescopes

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Large, low-cost, lightweight, precision segmented mirrors that provide a high degree of thermal and dynamic
stability, and wavefront sensing and control for ultra-stable, large aperture ultraviolet (UV)/visible/near-infrared (IR) telescopes.
Technology Challenge: For diffraction-limited performance, mainting wavefront stability as aperture grows and wavelengths shrink.
Technology State of the Art: Lightweight Be, ULE glass, and Technology Performance Goal: Develop lightweight segmented
silicon carbide (SiC) mirrors. Technologies for advanced deployment, UV, visible and near-IR mirror systems, including wavefront and
wavefront sensing, and actuation are mid-TRL. thermal control.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Diameter: 6.5 m; Diameter: 6.5 to 30 m;
Figure: < 25 nm rms;
5 Figure: < 25 nm rms; 5
Reflectivity: > 80%, 0.6-28 microns; Reflectivity: > 70% for λ 90-120 nm, > 90% for λ > 120 nm;
Areal density: 50 kg/m2; Areal density: < 20 kg/m2;
Wavefront stability: unknown; Wavefront stability: < 10 pm nm rms per wavefront control step;
Areal cost: $6 M/m2 Areal cost: < $0.5 M/m2

Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Deep UV/visible/near-IR sky observations.
Capability Description: UV/visible/near-IR observations to answer the questions raised by Hubble Space Telescope (HST), James Webb
Space Telescope (JWST), Planck and Hershel, and to complement the ≥ 30-m ground-based telescopes that will be coming online in the next
decade.
Capability State of the Art: Observations with segmented mirrors Capability Performance Goal: Higher resolution and greater
to be used by JWST in the near-to-mid IR band. sensitivity in the UV, visible, and near-IR band.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Diameter: 6.5 m; Diameter: 6.5 - 20 m;
Figure: < 25nm rms; Figure: < 25 nm rms;
Reflectivity: > 80%, 0.1 - 5 microns; Reflectivity: > 70% for λ 90-120 nm, > 90% for λ > 120 nm;
Areal density: 20 kg/m2; Areal density: < 20 kg/m2;
Wavefront stability: < 10 pm nm rms per wavefront control step
Wavefront stability: unknown

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Strategic Missions: Exoplanet Direct Imaging Mission Enhancing -- 2030* 2025 5 years
Strategic Missions: Large UV/Visible/IR Surveyor Mission Enabling -- 2035* 2030 5 years
*Launch date is estimated and not in Agency Mission Planning Model (AMPM)

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8.2. Observatories 8.2.2.1 Deployable Support Structure and Antenna

8.2.2 Structures and Antennas

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Deployable spacecraft and instrument support structure and antenna.
Technology Challenge: Large, highly stable structures and antenna apertures that can be packaged in very small volumes.
Technology State of the Art: Storable tubular extendable Technology Performance Goal: Thermal-elastic stability;
member (STEM) and continuous longeron coilable boom (CLCB) are microdynamic stability; and deployed precision, repeatability, and
proven technologies. reliability. Active structures technologies and control-structures
interaction technologies are also relevant (for example, trading
manufactured precision or stiffness for on-orbit shape error correction
or active damping). Goals are application-specific.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
V antenna: 229 meters Damping > 1% (semi-arbitrary); Deployed
9 relative precision and dimensional stability: ~10- 6
4 – 10-6 (depends on radio frequency (RF) or optical

application)
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Very large aperture systems packaging.
Capability Description: Provide high packaging, efficiency, and performance to package very large apertures in very small volumes.
Capability State of the Art: STEM and CLCB are proven Capability Performance Goal: Increased specific stiffness after
technologies on a variety of missions. packaging of very large aperture systems.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
V antenna: 229 meters Maximize deployed stiffness and minimize mass

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Discovery: Push Enhancing -- -- -- 5 years

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8.2. Observatories 8.2.2.2 Erectable/Assembled Support Structure and Antenna

8.2.2 Structures and Antennas

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Erectable/assembled spacecraft/instrument support structure and antenna.
Technology Challenge: Non-extravehicular activity (EVA) based systems require robotics development.
Technology State of the Art: Shuttle-based demonstration Technology Performance Goal: Provide erectable structures
Assembly Concept for Construction of Erectable Space Structures with high surface accuracy and stiffness.
(ACCESS).
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Size: 93 tubular aluminum struts, each 25 mm in Mission dependent.
diameter (33, 1.4 m struts, and 60, 1.8 m struts) 9 6
connected by 33 nodal joints.
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Very large aperture systems packaging.
Capability Description: Provide high packaging, efficiency, and performance to package very large apertures in very small volumes.
Capability State of the Art: High level of systems development, Capability Performance Goal: Enables scalable large structure
with a lot of room for development. Examples have successfully flown systems that are reconfigurable.
to the International Space Station.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Assembled length: 30 m Geometric configuration universality, error correction

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Discovery: Push Enhancing -- -- -- 8 years

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8.2. Observatories 8.2.2.3 Inflatable Support Structure and Antenna

8.2.2 Structures and Antennas

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Inflatable spacecraft/instrument support structure and antenna.
Technology Challenge: Requires materials development for higher precision and/or rigidization.
Technology State of the Art: Inflatable Antenna Experiment (IAE) Technology Performance Goal: Provide inflatable deployment
flown on Space Transport System (STS)-77. structures with 0.1mm rms accuracy, rigidizability.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Surface accuracy: < 1 mm rms over 8-10 meters Surface accuracy: 0.1mm rms
(ground testing); 3 6
Size: 14-meter diameter
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: Advanced materials to allow
inflatable structures that can be rigidized.

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Very large aperture systems packaging.
Capability Description: Provide high packaging, efficiency, and performance to package very large apertures in very small volumes.
Capability State of the Art: High development of some designs, Capability Performance Goal: Deployment of large, low
with a lot of room for development. Examples include the IAE. frequency antennas from small satellites to enable future low-cost
remote sensing systems.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Dependent on wavelength Maximize deployed stiffness and minimize mass

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Discovery: Push Enhancing -- -- -- 8 years

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8.2. Observatories 8.2.2.4 Lightweight, Deployable Antenna

8.2.2 Structures and Antennas

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Deployable antenna (arrays or single aperture) with high packing efficiency.
Technology Challenge: New lightweight materials and deployment systems.
Technology State of the Art: Deployable arrays of waveguides Technology Performance Goal: Deployable antenna (arrays or
or flat panel antennas with transmitter/receiver (T/R) modules behind single aperture) with high packing efficiency.
them or large deployable antennas with feed array antennas.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
2-20 kg/m2 < 2 kg/m2
3 6
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Lightweight deployable antennas.
Capability Description: Lightweight deployable antenna systems enable larger radars for increased spatial resolution and improved signal-
to-noise ratio.
Capability State of the Art: Deployable arrays of waveguides or Capability Performance Goal: Deployable antennas (arrays or
flat panel antennas with T/R modules behind them or large deployable single aperture) with high packing efficiency.
antennas with feed array antennas.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
2-20 kg/m2 < 2 kg/m2

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Discovery: Push Enhancing -- -- -- 8 years

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8.2. Observatories 8.2.2.5 Antenna Reflector

8.2.2 Structures and Antennas

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Large antenna reflector at Ka- and W-band, which will enable geostationary radars with high spatial, temporal,
and vertical resolutions. Such radar will be capable of producing three-dimensional (3D) radar images of the tropical and mid-latitude land and
ocean once every 15 to 30 minutes for weather, air traffic safety, telecommunications, and other applications.
Technology Challenge: Lightweight reflector material and architectures and adaptive control of deployed shape or phased array feeds.
Technology State of the Art: Deployable antenna up to X-band Technology Performance Goal: Deployable antenna at Ka- and
frequencies and up to 20 m antenna diameters W-band (35 and 94 GHz) and up to 35 m antenna diameters.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Geosynchronous orbit (GEO) deployable antenna D/λ ≤ GEO deployable antenna D/λ > 2000; antenna
3
200; antenna surface rms error > 1 mm; non-scanning surface rms error ≤0.1 mm; Two-dimensional (2D) 6
scanning
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Large deployable scanning antenna at Ka- and W-band.
Capability Description: Mesh or inflatable antenna operates at D/λ > 2,000 and with reflector diameter of 35 meters. High-precision
actuators and metrology systems enable fine-tuning of the surface to compensate for distortions and sporatic failures. A set of mechanically-
moving phased array antennas provide rapid scan capability over subsets of the full observation domain.
Capability State of the Art: GEO deployable antenna. Capability Performance Goal: GEO deployable antenna.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
D/λ ≤ 200; antenna surface rms error > 1 mm; non- D/λ > 2,000; antenna surface rms error ≤ 0.1 mm; 2D scanning
scanning
Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Discovery: Push Enhancing -- -- -- 3 years

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8.2. Observatories 8.2.3.1 Ultra-Precise Absolute Ranging for Distributed Aperture

8.2.3 Distributed Aperture

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: An inter-spacecraft sensor that precisely measures absolute range to sub-nanometer accuracy between
spacecraft separated by up to kilometers.
Technology Challenge: Obtaining a ranging sensor with a dynamic range of 1 x 1012, that is, measuring to an accuracy of <1 x 10-9 m over
a range of >1x103 m. For example, 1 x 10-12 of a football field is the width of an atom.
Technology State of the Art: Modulated Sideband Technology for Technology Performance Goal: Performance needed
Absolute Ranging (MSTAR) breadboard demonstration, extensible to for ExoEarth Mapper and > 10s of simultaneous targets for
MSTAR3D interferometric imaging and sensing shapes of phased arrays.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
MSTAR: Accuracy: 1 nm;
Accuracy: 100 nm;
3 Range: > 1 km for nearer term; > 100 km for ExoEarth
6
Range: 1 m; Mapper;
Number of simultaneous targets: 1 Number of simultaneous targets: > 10s
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Inter-spacecraft sensing for distributed, coupled spacecraft observatories.
Capability Description: Sensors needed to synthesize observatories distributed over multiple spacecraft in which the spacecraft must
autonomously coordinate inter-spacecraft sensing and control. Distributed interferometers and phased arrays require sub-wavelength
accuracy, and nulling interferometers can require sub-nanometer accuracy.
Capability State of the Art: GRACE does differential ranging Capability Performance Goal: Performance for large phased
(range change to 1,000 nm), but not absolute ranging. Light detection arrays (measuring piston tip and tilt of segmented mirrors elements
and ranging (LIDARs) and laser range finders for rendezvous are the from free-flying secondary) and a Terrestrial Planet Finder-
state of the art. Interferometer (TPF-I) like mission.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Accuracy: ~1 cm; Accuracy: 1 nm;
Range: kilometers; Range: > 1 km for nearer term;
Number of simultaneous targets: > 1,000 (point cloud) Number of simultaneous targets: > 10s

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Strategic Missions: Large UV/Visible/IR Surveyor Mission Enabling -- 2035* 2030 15 years
*Launch date is estimated and not in Agency Mission Planning Model (AMPM)

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8.2. Observatories 8.2.3.2 Situational Awareness Sensing for Distributed Aperture

8.2.3 Distributed Aperture

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: An inter-spacecraft sensor with nearly full-sky coverage that can simultaneously track multiple spacecraft out to
kilometers with reasonable spacecraft accommodation and with medium-to-coarse accuracy for general maneuvering and collision avoidance.
Technology Challenge: Tracking multiple targets simultaneously over most of the sky without excessive mass, power and volume even
when neighboring spacecraft go into safe mode and so become an increased collision hazard.
Technology State of the Art: Autonomous Formation Flying Technology Performance Goal: Performance needed for large
(AFF) sensor, an S-band full-sky situational awareness sensor. phased arrays with a free-flying secondary.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Sky coverage: full sky; Sky coverage: full sky;
Range: kilometers;
3 Range: kilometers;
5
Accuracy: 0.1 m range, 1 deg bearing; Accuracy: 0.1 m range, 0.5 deg bearing;
Number of targets: > 5 Number of targets: > 5
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Inter-spacecraft sensing for distributed, coupled spacecraft observatories.
Capability Description: Sensors needed to synthesize observatories distributed over multiple spacecraft in which the spacecraft must
autonomously coordinate inter-spacecraft sensing and/or control. Wide field-of-view, medium-to-coarse sensing needed for acquiring and
reconfiguring formations, collision avoidance, and acquiring higher accuracy, narrower-field of view (FOV) inter-spacecraft sensors.
Capability State of the Art: Global positioning satellite (GPS)- Capability Performance Goal: Performance needed for large
based systems do not apply. Radars, light detection and ranging phased arrays with a free-flying secondary.
(LIDARs), etc. for rendezvous are state of the art.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Sky coverage: 0.2%; Sky coverage: full sky;
Range: kilometers; Range: kilometers;
Accuracy: < 0.05 m range, < 0.1 deg bearing; Number of targets: 1 Accuracy: 0.1 m range, 0.5 deg bearing;
Number of targets: > 5

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Strategic Missions: Large UV/Visible/IR Surveyor Mission Enabling -- 2035* 2030 15 years
*Launch date is estimated and not in Agency Mission Planning Model (AMPM)

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8.2. Observatories 8.2.3.3 Six Degrees of Freedom (DOF) Relative Estimation for
8.2.3 Distributed Aperture Formations and Proximity Operations

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: An algorithm to robustly estimate the relative rotational and translational state of a spacecraft with respect to
another body, which could be a collaborative spacecraft, a small or primitive body, and debris or a non-collaborative spacecraft.
Technology Challenge: Reliably determining and maintaining full knowledge of a spacecraft’s motion with respect to bodies exhibiting
complex motion, including estimating the moments of inertia and spin state of a tumbling body, and doing so using intermittent and complex
measurements based on machine vision while maneuvering aggressively.
Technology State of the Art: For non-collaborative with both Technology Performance Goal: Performance needed for
spacecraft three-axis stabilized and a visually well-characterized primitive body proximity operations and large phased arrays with a
target, limited tests have been conducted of a machine vision sensor free-flying secondary, and that enhances crewed missions to deep
for robotic servicing. space that require proximity operations with spacecraft modules and
small moons.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
6 Degrees of Freedom (DOF): Yes; 6 DOF: Yes;
Non-collaborative: Yes;
2 Non-collaborative: Yes;
5
No a priori target model: No; Tumbling: No; No a priori target model: Yes; Tumbling: Yes;
Inertia/spin estimate: No; Inertia/spin estimate: Yes;
Number of targets: 1 Number of targets: 6 for observatories
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Relative knowledge for 1) Crewed and robotic proximity operations, and 2) Distributed, coupled spacecraft
observatories.
Capability Description: Inter-spacecraft and body-relative knowledge needed to maneuver with respect to a small body or non-
collaborative spacecraft synthesize observatories distributed over multiple spacecraft in which the spacecraft must autonomously coordinate
inter-spacecraft sensing and control.
Capability State of the Art: Estimators for collaborative, Capability Performance Goal: Performance needed for asteroid
autonomous rendezvous and docking with targets for machine vision redirect design reference mission (DRM) and large phased arrays with
and a priori knowledge. a free-flying secondary.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
6 DOF: Yes; 6 DOF: Yes;
Non-collaborative: No; Non-collaborative: Yes;
No a priori target model: No; No a priori target model: Yes;
Tumbling: No; Tumbling: Yes;
Inertia/spin estimate: No; Inertia/spin estimate: Yes;
Number of targets: 1 Number of targets: 1

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Strategic Missions: Large UV/Visible/IR Surveyor Mission Enabling -- 2035* 2030 15 years
New Frontiers: Comet Surface Sample Return Enabling -- 2024 2016 1 year
Planetary Flagship: Mars Sample Return Enhancing -- 2026* 2023 8 years
Into the Solar System: DRM 5 Asteroid Redirect – Crewed in DRO Enhancing 2022 2022 2015-2021 6 years
Exploring Other Worlds: DRM 6 Crewed to NEA Enhancing 2027 2027 2021 6 years
Exploring Other Worlds: DRM 7 Crewed to Lunar Surface Enhancing 2027 2027 2021 6 years
Exploring Other Worlds: DRM 8 Crewed to Mars Moons Enhancing 2027 2027 2021 6 years
Planetary Exploration: DRM 8a Crewed Mars Orbital Enhancing 2033 -- 2027 6 years
Planetary Exploration: DRM 9 Crewed Mars Surface mission (DRA 5.0) Enhancing 2033 -- 2027 6 years
Planetary Exploration: DRM 9a Crewed Mars Surface Mission (Minimal) Enhancing 2033 -- 2027 6 years
*Launch date is estimated and not in Agency Mission Planning Model (AMPM)

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8.2. Observatories 8.2.3.4 Formation Fault Detection and Identification with Collision
8.2.3 Distributed Aperture Avoidance

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Algorithms to 1) detect faults and identify them as much as possible in formation sensing and controlling in both
rotational and translational degrees of freedom and in both a host and neighboring spacecraft; and 2) take informed action based on fault
identities to reduce collision hazards with neighboring spacecraft.
Technology Challenge: Fault detection and identification (FDI) in dynamically coupled formations (if control error is growing, is it local or
another spacecraft’s thrusters or sensors?) that rely on communication for detection and computationally challenging collision-avoidance (CA)
constrained guidance incorporating local faults to evade erratic neighbors: pre-programmed maneuvers insufficient for multiple simultaneously
colliding spacecraft. For more than two spacecraft, adapting FDI to 1) sensor and control performance during flight to avoid manual tuning of
hundreds of parameters, 2) changing spacecraft in the local neighborhood, and 3) varying amounts of communicated information.
Technology State of the Art: Banks of FDI filters that can detect Technology Performance Goal: Performance needed for
and identify faults in several spacecraft formations; not adaptable. large phased arrays with a free-flying secondary and Astrophysics
Simplified “avoid most imminent collision first” collision avoidance. Roadmap missions: Gravitational Wave, ExoEarth, and Black Hole
Mappers.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
FDI number of spacecraft: > 5; FDI number of spacecraft: > 5;
FDI adaptable: No;
3 FDI adaptable: Yes; 5
CA number of spacecraft: > 20; CA number of spacecraft: > 20;
CA adaptable: Yes CA adaptable: Yes
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Fault detection and response for 1) Crewed and robotic proximity operations, and 2) Distributed, coupled spacecraft
observatories.
Capability Description: When maneuvering close to another body (spacecraft or small/primitive body), faults in attitude or translational
control must be detected quickly and translational trajectories modified or re-planned to reduce collision hazards.
Capability State of the Art: Autonomous rendezvous and Capability Performance Goal: Performance needed for large
docking systems with basic, threshold-based fault detection and pre- phased arrays with a free-flying secondary and a single spacecraft
programmed back-away collision avoidance maneuvers suitable for maneuvering with respect to a small or primitive body.
only two spacecraft.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
FDI number of spacecraft: 1; FDI number of spacecraft: > 5;
FDI adaptable: No; FDI adaptable: Yes;
CA number of spacecraft: 1; CA number of spacecraft: > 5;
CA adaptable: No CA adaptable: Yes

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Strategic Missions: Large UV/Visible/IR Surveyor Mission Enabling -- 2035* 2030 15 years
New Frontiers: Comet Surface Sample Return Enabling -- 2024 2016 1 year
Planetary Flagship: Mars Sample Return Enhancing -- 2026* 2023 8 years
Into the Solar System: DRM 5 Asteroid Redirect – Crewed in DRO Enhancing 2022 2022 2015-2021 6 years
Exploring Other Worlds: DRM 6 Crewed to NEA Enhancing 2027 2027 2021 6 years
Exploring Other Worlds: DRM 7 Crewed to Lunar Surface Enhancing 2027 2027 2021 6 years
Exploring Other Worlds: DRM 8 Crewed to Mars Moons Enhancing 2027 2027 2021 6 years
Planetary Exploration: DRM 8a Crewed Mars Orbital Enhancing 2033 -- 2027 6 years
Planetary Exploration: DRM 9 Crewed Mars Surface mission (DRA 5.0) Enhancing 2033 -- 2027 6 years
Planetary Exploration: DRM 9a Crewed Mars Surface Mission (Minimal) Enhancing 2033 -- 2027 6 years
*Launch date is estimated and not in Agency Mission Planning Model (AMPM)

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8.2. Observatories 8.2.3.5 SIx Degrees of Freedom (DOF) Prioritized, Selectable

8.2.3 Distributed Aperture Actuator Allocation

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: An algorithm that takes torque and force commands for formation/proximity-operations attitude and translation
control and turns them into optimal reaction wheel and thruster commands for arbitrary thruster and reaction wheel locations and directions,
that can guarantee command priority. Either the torque or force command is matched first as best as possible and the remaining actuator
authority is used to achieve the other control command, and that can have thrusters selectively disabled to avoid pluming neighboring
spacecraft or science-targets.
Technology Challenge: Requires fast, guaranteed onboard optimization for arbitrary directions and locations of actuators and a varying
number of actuators.
Technology State of the Art: Heuristic gradient descent Technology Performance Goal: Performance needed for
algorithms (not guaranteed optimal, requires careful tuning) on ground primitive body proximity operations and large phased arrays with a
testbeds, simulation demonstrations of convex optimization-based free-flying secondary, and that enhances crewed missions to deep
allocators. space that require proximity operations with spacecraft modules and
small moons.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Arbitrary actuator geometry: Yes; Variable number of Arbitrary actuator geometry: Yes;
actuators: Yes; Prioritized: Yes; 3 Variable number of actuators: Yes; Prioritized: Yes;
5
Guaranteed convergence: Yes; Runtime on flight Guaranteed convergence: Yes;
processor: 100 ms
Runtime on flight processor: 5 ms
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Spacecraft control for 1) Crewed and robotic proximity operations, and 2) Distributed, coupled spacecraft observatories.
Capability Description: Maneuvering with respect to a small or primitive body or spacecraft whether autonomously or based on crew
direction and synthesizing observatories distributed over multiple spacecraft in which the spacecraft must autonomously coordinate inter-
spacecraft sensing and control.
Capability State of the Art: Table look-up, some experiments with Capability Performance Goal: Performance needed for asteroid
linear-program based approaches. redirect design reference mission (DRM) and large phased arrays with
a free-flying secondary.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Arbitrary actuator geometry: No; Arbitrary actuator geometry: Yes;
Variable number of actuators: No; Variable number of actuators: Yes;
Prioritized: No; Prioritized: Yes;
Guaranteed convergence: Yes; Guaranteed convergence: Yes;
Runtime on flight processor: 1 ms Runtime on flight processor: 5 ms

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Strategic Missions: Large UV/Visible/IR Surveyor Mission Enabling -- 2035* 2030 15 years
New Frontiers: Comet Surface Sample Return Enabling -- 2024 2016 1 year
Planetary Flagship: Mars Sample Return Enhancing -- 2026* 2023 8 years
Into the Solar System: DRM 5 Asteroid Redirect – Crewed in DRO Enhancing 2022 2022 2015-2021 6 years
Exploring Other Worlds: DRM 6 Crewed to NEA Enhancing 2027 2027 2021 6 years
Exploring Other Worlds: DRM 7 Crewed to Lunar Surface Enhancing 2027 2027 2021 6 years
Exploring Other Worlds: DRM 8 Crewed to Mars Moons Enhancing 2027 2027 2021 6 years
Planetary Exploration: DRM 8a Crewed Mars Orbital Enhancing 2033 -- 2027 6 years
Planetary Exploration: DRM 9 Crewed Mars Surface mission (DRA 5.0) Enhancing 2033 -- 2027 6 years
Planetary Exploration: DRM 9a Crewed Mars Surface Mission (Minimal) Enhancing 2033 -- 2027 6 years
*Launch date is estimated and not in Agency Mission Planning Model (AMPM)

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8.2. Observatories 8.2.3.6 Ultra-Long Range, Ultra-Precise Inter-Spacecraft

8.2.3 Distributed Aperture Bearing Sensing

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: A formation flying, inter-spacecraft sensor that precisely measures relative bearing between vastly separated
spacecraft.
Technology Challenge: Measuring the bearing between two spacecraft to better precision than Hubble’s Fine Guidance Sensors but
without their cost, mass, volume and prevalence of guide stars, and need to make one spacecraft appear as a star over separation of 50,000
km (~8 Earth radii) without corrupting science.
Technology State of the Art: Concept for an exoplanet mission. Technology Performance Goal: Need to demonstrate full
capability required by an external occulter for exoplanet imaging.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Bearing of 6 nrad at range of 5 x 107 m Bearing < 5 nrad at range of 5 x 107 m
2 6
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Inter-spacecraft sensing for distributed, coupled spacecraft observatories.
Capability Description: Sensors needed to synthesize observatories distributed over multiple spacecraft in which the spacecraft must
autonomously coordinate inter-spacecraft sensing and/or control with separations up to 5 x 107 m. Distinct from tracking a constellation.
Capability State of the Art: Light detection and ranging (LIDAR) Capability Performance Goal: Bearing precision and operational
and radio frequency (RF)-based sensors for measuring range and Range needed to synthesize an external occulter for exoplanet
bearing during spacecraft rendezvous in low-Earth orbit (LEO). imaging.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Bearing < 1 mrad (LIDAR) and < 10 mrad (RF) at range of kilometers Bearing < 5 nrad at range of 5 x 107

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Strategic Missions: Exoplanet Direct Imaging Mission Enabling -- 2030* 2025 10 years
*Launch date is estimated and not in Agency Mission Planning Model (AMPM)

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8.2. Observatories 8.2.3.7 Efficient Precision Formation Control with Large, Dynamic
8.2.3 Distributed Aperture Spacecraft

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: A formation flying, inter-spacecraft control algorithm that maximizes observational efficiency and minimizes
propellant use for a range of environmental disturbance accelerations and for a spinning spacecraft.
Technology Challenge: Optimize deadbanding to achieve maximum drift times over a spectrum of disturbance accelerations with a
spinning, spacecraft pointing thrusters in all directions and synchronize deadbands across inertial axes in all cases (a thruster pulse in any axis
interrupts science).
Technology State of the Art: Concept to synthesize an external Technology Performance Goal: Control capability needed to
occulter for exoplanet imaging. synthesize an external occulter for exoplanet imaging.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Disturbance accelerations: 0 to 5 x 10-5 m/s2 in multiple Disturbance accelerations: 0 to 5 x 10-5 m/s2 in multiple
axes; 2 axes; 5
Spin rate: > 0.1 RPM; Spin rate: > 0.1 RPM;
Deadbands synchronized across axes Deadbands synchronized across axes
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Inter-spacecraft control for distributed, coupled spacecraft observatories.
Capability Description: Onboard control algorithms needed to synthesize observatories distributed over multiple spacecraft in which the
spacecraft must autonomously coordinate inter-spacecraft sensing and control. Distinct from maintaining a constellation.
Capability State of the Art: None for relevant environment. Low- Capability Performance Goal: Control capability needed to
Earth orbit (LEO) deadbanding for rendezvous and docking does synthesize an external occulter for exoplanet imaging.
not require synchronization across axes, uses three-axis stabilized
spacecraft, and can be sub-optimal due to short mission duration.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
No current capability exists Disturbance accelerations: 0 to 5x10-5 m/s2 in multiple axes;
Spin rate: > 0.1 RPM;
Deadbands synchronized across axes

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Strategic Missions: Exoplanet Direct Imaging Mission Enabling -- 2030* 2025 10 years
*Launch date is estimated and not in Agency Mission Planning Model (AMPM)

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8.3 In-Situ Instruments and Sensors 8.3.1.1 Energetic Particle Detector (> 30 keV – Several GeV)
8.3.1 Field and Particle Detectors

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Particle detector to measure the particle population of energetic particles, solar wind, near-solar environment and
galactic cosmic radiation.
Technology Challenge: The techniques used for < 50 MeV are not applicable to 1GeV. Severly constrained resources in flight limit suitable
methods.
Technology State of the Art: Cesium iodide doped with thallium Technology Performance Goal: Extend energy range from 50 to
(CsI(Tl)) particle telescope provides simultaneous measurement of 1,000 MeV to span the energy range poorly covered by past/current
scintillation and Cherenkov radiation within a single detector. Provides instruments.
compact sensors with wide range detector response.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Energy range: 50-800 MeV; Energy range: 50 to 1,000 MeV;
Energy resolution: 50%
4 Energy resolution: 25%
6
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: High energy particle characterization.
Capability Description: Measure the elemental charge and spectra of energetic particles in deep space or at planetary surfaces.
Capability State of the Art: Particle T- telescopes using Capability Performance Goal: Measure the elemental charge
combinations of solid state detectors (silicon) and dense absorbers and spectra of energetic particles in deep space or at planetary
(Pb, W) or scintillators (CsI(Tl)), Bismuth germanium oxide (BGO). surfaces over the range of 50 to 1,000 MeV.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Energy range: up to 300 MeV for protons Energy range: 50 to 1,000 MeV

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Solar Terrestrial Probes: Push Enhancing -- -- -- 3 years

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8.3 In-Situ Instruments and Sensors 8.3.1.2 Plasma Detector (<1 eV – 30 keV)
8.3.1 Field and Particle Detectors

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Plasma detector to measure the particle population of solar wind, magnetosphere, and near-solar environments.
Technology Challenge: Particle optics design and grids.
Technology State of the Art: Static energy angle analyzer Technology Performance Goal: The technology’s performance
(SEAA). goal is to achieve the static measurements of these same particle
energies and two-dimensional (2D) incident angle range with 0.01 s
velocity distributions.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
4 pi sr; 4 pi sr;
0.01 s velocity distribution;
3 0.01 s velocity distribution;
6
0.01 keV - 30keV energies; 0.01 keV - 30keV energies;
7% resolution 7% resolution
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Three-dimensional (3D) velocity space particle characterization.
Capability Description: 3D velocity space particle characterization.
Capability State of the Art: Top hat electrostatic analyzer with Capability Performance Goal: Characterize 3D particle
measurements over particle energies and 2D incident angle range. distributions and wide energy range.

Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:

Environment tolerance: Polar; Flight-qualified HV opto-couplers; environment tolerance; rad-hard ion
Data handling: 30 eV - 30 keV in particle energy and electron sensors;
data handling; improve out-of band rejection, data compression

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Solar Terrestrial Probes: Interstellar Mapping and
Enhancing -- 2022 2019 3 years
Acceleration Probe (IMAP)
Living with a Star: Geospace Dynamics Constellation (GDC) Enhancing -- 2030 2019 3 years

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8.3 In-Situ Instruments and Sensors 8.3.1.3 Constellation Magnetometer

8.3.1 Field and Particle Detectors

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Technologies that allow high-stability magnetic field measurements that can be made in distributed systems.
Technology Challenge: High measurement stability to allow inter-satellite calibration.
Technology State of the Art: Fluxgate and Helium vector Technology Performance Goal: Increase stability while reducing
magnetometers. mass.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Stability: < 0.1 nT/day; Stability: 0.05 nT/5 days;
Mass: 1 kg
9 Mass: < 0.5 kg
6
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Magnetic field measurements.
Capability Description: Provide high-stability magnetic field measurements that can be made as part of constellations of small spacecraft.
Capability State of the Art: Low-stability instruments on one or a Capability Performance Goal: In order to make meaningful
small number of coordinated spacecraft. measurements of field gradients in multi-spacecraft distributed
systems, individual instruments must be highly stable over sufficient
timescales to make calibration effective. Instruments must also be
compact to enable accomodation on nano-spacecraft.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Stability: < 0.1 nT/day; Stability < 0.05 nT/5 days;
Mass: ~1 kg Mass: < 0.5 kg

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Explorer Class: Explorer Missions Enhancing -- 2023 2020 2 years

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8.3 In-Situ Instruments and Sensors 8.3.1.4 Energetic Neutral Particle Sensor
8.3.1 Field and Particle Detectors

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Sensor that enables high-resolution and high-sensitivity measurements of gamma rays, neutrons, and energetic
neutral atoms.
Technology Challenge: The state of the art may have been lost in the last 1.5 decades. This is a challenging wafer lab fabrication and test
process requiring specialized equipment and techniques.
Technology State of the Art: Energetic neutral atoms (ENA) Technology Performance Goal: Ultraviolet (UV) rejection with
gratings have not been produced since near 2000. Similar free increased sensitivity
standing gratings, however, have been produced for astrophysics
missions.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
10 x 10 Ly-Alpha rejection
9
The technology’s performance goal is to achieve 10
9 x 1010 Ly-alpha rejection while admitting > 10% of 7
incident ENAs
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Particle sensors
Capability Description: Provide measurements of charged and neutral particles.
Capability State of the Art: UV rejecting gratings were developed Capability Performance Goal: Improved sensitivity and reduced
for previous programs and have been used on a number of UV contamination.
technologies. These gratings were fabricated in a wafer and provided
109 rejection of photons while admitting 10%-30% of ENA. This
technology has been largely lost since that development.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
10 x 109 Ly-Alpha rejection Aperture array: 1cm2 segments arranged into a many cm2 (~10)
aperture

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Solar Terrestrial Probes: Interstellar Mapping and
Enabling -- 2022 2019 5 years
Acceleration Probe (IMAP)

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8.3 In-Situ Instruments and Sensors 8.3.1.5 Fast (Energetic) Neutron Detector
8.3.1 Field and Particle Detectors

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Detector for energetic neutrons for radiation exposure on planetary surfaces and looking for surface composition
(water).
Technology Challenge: Going from the state of the art to the goal is difficult because neutron measurment techniques remain rudimentary
because of their limited types of interactions.
Technology State of the Art: Provide measurement of neutron Technology Performance Goal: Identify neutron and measure
spectrum in mixed radiation fields on planetary surfaces. energy spectra 1 to 50 MeV.

Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL

Energy reach 10 MeV and susceptible to gamma rays 1 to 50 MeV
4 6
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Neutron detection for exploration and science on planetary surfaces.
Capability Description: Detect neutron radiation for science and other applications.
Capability State of the Art: Boron loaded plastic scintillators have Capability Performance Goal: Increase the energy reach and
been used for thermal/Fast discrimination. decrease susceptibility to mis-identified neutrons in a mixed radiation
field.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Energy reach 10 MeV and susceptible to gamma rays Energy: 0.5 to 50 MeV;
Mis-identification: < 10 x 10-4

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Strategic Missions: Mars 2020 Enhancing -- 2020 2017 3 years

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8.3 In-Situ Instruments and Sensors 8.3.3.1 Cryogenic Comet Subsurface Core Sampler
8.3.3 In-Situ (other)

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Deep drilling and coring on cometary bodies.
Technology Challenge: Technical complexity of rapidly acquiring cryogenic sample of unknown composition with high reliability during
flyby; challenge of maintaining low temperature.
Technology State of the Art: Laboratory tests to demonstrate Technology Performance Goal: Flight-like flyby encapsulation of
acquisition and encapsulation of a subsurface sample from a comet a hermetically sealed sample with preserved stratigraphy for a range
analog. of realistic comet analogs, acquired from below the diurnal skin depth,
maintained cold enough to prevent aqueous alteration.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Subsurface penetration to ≥ 25 cm; Subsurface drilling to ≥ 25 cm;
Intact core, 25 cm length × 3 cm diameter;
4 Intact core, 25 cm length × 3 cm diameter;
6
Preserved stratigraphy T ≤ 125 K throughout entire mission.
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Encapsulation and cryogenic return of a comet nucleus core sample.
Capability Description: Acquire a comet nucleus core sample with preserved stratigraphy and volatile content.
Capability State of the Art: SD2 (Sampler, Drill and Distribution Capability Performance Goal: Hermetically sealed sample with
System) on Rosetta, scheduled for 2 days of operations in November preserved stratigraphy, acquired from below the diurnal skin depth,
2014. maintained cold enough to prevent aqueous alteration.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Sample acquisition from variable depths up to 23 cm Subsurface drilling to ≥25 cm;
Intact core, 25 cm length × 3 cm diameter;
T ≤ 125 K throughout entire mission

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
New Frontiers: Comet Surface Sample Return Enabling -- 2024 2016 2 years

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8.3 In-Situ Instruments and Sensors 8.3.3.2 Titan Surface and Lake Cryogenic Sampling Technologies
8.3.3 In-Situ (other)

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Mechanical system for transferring solid and liquid cryogenic samples from ambient Titan conditions to the
analysis environment.
Technology Challenge: Difficulty of simulating Titan environment with realistic sample properties under cryogenic conditions.
Technology State of the Art: Laboratory prototype cryogenic Technology Performance Goal: Acquire both solid and liquid
liquid acquisition system with the ability to ingest liquid methane and cryogenic samples, while maintaining original molecular and isotopic
ethane for mass spectrometer analysis. composition.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
94 K liquid acquisition Autonomous solid and/or liquid sample collection and
4 transfer at 94 K 6
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Titan cryogenic sample acquisition.
Capability Description: Acquire samples to enable determination of the molecular and isotopic composition of Titan’s lakes and solid
surface.
Capability State of the Art: Cassini Huygens Probe Aerosol Capability Performance Goal: Acquire samples to enable
Collector and Pyrolyser. determination of the molecular and isotopic composition of Titan’s
lakes and solid surface.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Descent sampling of aerosol particles through direct impact plus Autonomous solid or liquid sample collection and transfer at 94 K
capture by filtration;
Two sampling regions: 140 - 32 km and 22 - 17 km.

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Discovery: Push Enhancing -- -- -- 3 years
Planetary Flagship: Push Enhancing -- -- -- 3 years

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8.3 In-Situ Instruments and Sensors 8.3.3.3 High-Temperature, High-Pressure Actuators, Drills,
8.3.3 In-Situ (other) and Valves

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Actuators, drills, and valves capable of operating under Venus surface conditions (92 bar, 460° C).
Technology Challenge: Difficulty designing mechanisms that can operate in Venus’s harsh surface environment with high reliability;
difficulty of validating mechanisms under Virtual Terrain Project (VTP) conditions.
Technology State of the Art: Concepts and designs for Venus Technology Performance Goal: End-to-end sample drilling,
drill, motor, and actuator technologies. No current U.S. sample acquisition, and transfer demonstration under combined Venus
transfer capability. temperature and pressure. A multi-sample transfer capability is
desired.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
High-temperature actuators and gearheads Drill to depth of > 1 cm;
demonstrated at 460° C 2 Transfer sample volume ~1 cm3;
6
Ability to operate at 92 bar pressure, 460° C
temperature
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Venus surface drilling and sampling.
Capability Description: Ability to analyze Venus surface samples inside a Venus lander for elemental chemistry, and mineralogy
Capability State of the Art: Venera’s 13 and 14 Soil Sample Capability Performance Goal: Ability to transfer Venus surface
Collection Assembly (SSCA), demonstrated in March 1982. samples into a Lander vessel.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Drilled holes to 30mm depth; Drill to depth of > 1 cm;
Transfer of ~1 cubic centimeters of soil from the high pressure/ high Transfer sample volume ~1 cm3;
temperature surface of Venus into the controlled environment of the Ability to operate at 92 bar pressure, 460° C temperature
Lander

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
New Frontiers: Venus In-Situ Explorer Enabling -- 2024 2016 2 years

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8.3 In-Situ Instruments and Sensors 8 .3 .3 .4 Advanced Mass Spectrometer for Ultra-Sensitive Organic
8.3.3 In-Situ (other) Material Characterization

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Mass spectrometer for characterizing organic materials present at very low abundances in a plume or tenuous
atmosphere.
Technology Challenge: Challenge of maintaining spacecraft contamination below tenuous atmosphere levels; modeling and understanding
collision effects on species abundances for high-speed flybys; and validating models and calibration approach in terrestrial setting
Technology State of the Art: Laboratory prototypes for time-of- Technology Performance Goal: Low-mass, low-power
flight mass spectrometer, Quadrupole Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer. instrument capable of detecting compounds present at very low
abundances in a tenuous atmosphere, and distinguish between
organic compounds with nearly overlapping molecular weights.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Mass resolution: > 30,000 from multi-bounce time- Detection limit: 0.1 to 100s of particles per cm3;
of-flight and > 10,000 from advanced ion trap mass 5 Mass range: 1 to 400 Daltons;
6
spectrometers Mass resolution: > 8,000, or comparable compound
identification capability through MSn.

Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: In-situ characterization of organic material in a plume or tenuous atmosphere.
Capability Description: Ability to detect and characterize organic compounds emitted from Enceladus, comets, and other bodies with
tenuous atmospheres.
Capability State of the Art: Cassini Ion and Neutral Mass Capability Performance Goal: Ability to detect compounds
Spectrometeter. present at very low abundances in a tenuous atmosphere and
distinguish between organic compounds with nearly overlapping
molecular weights.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Mass range: 1-99 Daltons; Detection limit: 10s to 100s of particles per cm3;
Resolution: variable, with 1 amu scanning across range Mass range: 1 to 400 Daltons;
Mass resolution: > 10,000, or comparable compound identification
capability through MSn, and GC separation

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Planetary Flagship: Europa Enhancing -- 2022* 2019 5 years
*Launch date is estimated and not in Agency Mission Planning Model (AMPM)

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8.3 In-Situ Instruments and Sensors 8.3.3.5 Compact X-Ray Source

8.3.3 In-Situ (other)

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Miniature high-voltage power supply and X-ray tube for X-ray instrumentation.
Technology Challenge: Complexity of generating high voltages in a compact package using materials that can withstand thermal extremes
associated with spaceflight.
Technology State of the Art: Laboratory prototypes for miniature Technology Performance Goal: Efficient X-ray generation from a
high voltage power supply, compact X-ray source. miniature, thermally rugged package that can withstand temperatures
from -135° C to +125° C (compatible with planetary protection bake-
out).
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Mass: ~0.8 kg; Mass: < 0.5 kg;
Power: ~5-6 W;
4 Power: 2-3 W;
5
Low temp survival: -50° C Low temp survival: -135° C;
Flux: Mission dependent
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Reduce the mass and power of X-ray instrumentation for surface compositional analyses (elemental chemistry,
mineralogy).
Capability Description: Determine the elemental and mineralogical composition of planetary samples with high accuracy using X-ray
techniques.
Capability State of the Art: Chemical mineral instrument Capability Performance Goal: Ability to generate a high
(CheMin) X-ray Source on Mars Science Laboratory. X-ray flux in a low-mass, low-power package that can withstand
temperatures from -135° C to +125° C (compatible with planetary
protection bake-out).
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Mass: 1.3 kg; Mass: < 0.5 kg;
Power: 11 W; Power: 2-3 W;
Low temp survival: -50° C; Low temp survival: -135° C;
Flux: 1.5x105 photons/sec at 6.9 keV +/- 0.25 keV Flux: Mission dependent

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
New Frontiers: Venus In-Situ Explorer Enhancing -- 2024 2016 2 years

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8.3 In-Situ Instruments and Sensors 8.3.3.6 Wet Chemistry Technologies for Life Detection
8.3.3 In-Situ (other)

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Wet chemical analysis approaches that can identify in-situ biosignatures such as, amino acid chirality, and
carboxylic acid chain length distributions.
Technology Challenge: Difficulty storing and manipulating fluids and performing complex chemical analyses under planetary
conditions; challenges with contamination control requirements and planetary protection compliance.
Technology State of the Art: Miscellaneous wet chemistry Technology Performance Goal: Detect biosignatures such as
laboratory prototypes for organic compound detection, but no end-to- amino acid chirality and carboxylic acid chain length in planetary
end autonomous, flight-qualified system. materials with high confidence in a low mass, low power instrument.
Parameter, Value: Microfluidic capillary TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence Examples: amino acid chirality detection (~1 ppb
detection for ~1 ppb detection of amino acid chirality. 3 detection limits); 5
No front-end extraction and injection system. Carboxylic acid chain length detection (~1 ppb
detection limits);
Mass: ~ 5 kg;
Power: ~20 W
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Life detection.
Capability Description: Determine whether complex organic molecules and possibly life emerged on other planetary bodies (e.g.
Enceladus, Europa, and Mars).
Capability State of the Art: Life Marker Chip, descoped from Capability Performance Goal: Ability to detect biosignatures in
2018 ExoMars. planetary materials with high confidence.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Multiplexed immunoassay to detect biomarkers and other organics Examples: Measure amino acid chirality (~1 ppb abundance levels);
in water-based solvent extract: four samples with 25 target analytes Measure carboxylic acid chain length (~1 ppb abundance levels);
each Mass: ~ 5 kg;
Power: ~20 W

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Discovery: Discovery 14 Enabling -- 2023 2020 3 years

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TA 8: Science Instruments, Observatories, and Sensor Systems

8.3 In-Situ Instruments and Sensors 8.3.3.7 Wet Chemistry Lab-on-a-Chip Analyzer
8.3.3 In-Situ (other)

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Chemistry instrument capable of ingesting solids or liquids and analyzing chemical composition (both organic
and inorganic).
Technology Challenge: End-to-end performance; ability to store reagents for years at a time; flight qualification of entirely new hardware;
developing a pressurized, temperature-controlled shell to keep liquids from freezing or evaporating.
Technology State of the Art: Laboratory prototypes that are not Technology Performance Goal: Key performance goal is true
portable and cannot store reagents. “sample-in-answer-out” performance: add dirt or ice or liquid to system
and get concentration outputs from instrument.
Parameter, Value: TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
Better than parts-per-billion sensitivity to organics Sensitivity: parts-per-billion
3 5
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: None

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: In-situ sensing of organic and inorganic compounds for both robotic and human exploration.
Capability Description: Enables parts-per-billion detection of organic compounds for determination of habitability, extant/extinct life,
prebiotic chemistry. Also enables assessment of chemical hazards posed by environment to human explorers.
Capability State of the Art: Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) Capability Performance Goal: Enable parts-per-billion sensitivity
instrument aboard Mars Science Lab (MSL) mission. detection of organic molecules.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
Uses gas chromatography with mass spectrometry; unable to Achieve parts-per-billion sensitivity
measure amino acids and carboxylic acids in terrestrial samples.

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Discovery: Push Enhancing -- -- -- 4 years
Planetary Flagship: Push Enhancing -- -- -- 5 years

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8.3 In-Situ Instruments and Sensors 8.3.3.8 Advanced In-Situ Dating and Exposure Age Instruments
8.3.3 In-Situ (other)

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: In-situ radiometric dating of multiple locations for multiple planetary surfaces is crucial for constraining the
currently extrapolated history of the solar system from ~0.5-3.5 Ga, and 4+ Ga, and reduce uncertainties in this extrapolation of ~±1 Ga. These
measurements are fundamental for assessing: a) the era of volcanism on the Moon and Mars, b) the era of volatiles and habitability on Mars,
and c) the history of bombardment throughout the solar system, including for the Earth. In-situ dating results should be supplemented by
measurements to: i) place samples in geologic context, ii) constrain the possibility of secondary alteration, and iii) determine potential bias in
derived age interpretation. In-situ dating, as called for by the Decadal Survey, is both a needed primary measurement, and an important triage
step for sample return.
Technology Challenge: Development of isotopic dating, potentially with multiple radiometric systems, precision better than ~±200 Ma
for planetary-aged samples, quantification of sources of bias and error, and integrated low-complexity sample handling and preparation
Technology State of the Art: Laboratory prototypes using a Technology Performance Goal: Instrumentation capable of
range of techniques including but not limited to mass spectrometry, isotopic dating with precision better than ±200 Ma, quantification of
resonance ionization, fluorescence, and Laser Induced Breakdown sources of bias and error, robust sample preparation
Spectroscopy (LIBS)

Parameter, Value: Lab prototypes: ±20 Ma on young TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
terrestrial rocks (< 50 Ma); Minimum accuracy < ±200 Ma on ancient non-
Lab prototypes: ±40 - 600 Ma on old terrestrial rocks (1+ 3 terrestrial rocks; 6
Ga); Desired accuracy < ±50 Ma on ancient non-
Lab prototypes: ±180 Ma on old lunar and Martian rocks; terrestrial rocks
In-situ MSL: ±350 Ma on ancient Martian rocks
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: Lasers, mass spectrometry,
visible light spectroscopy, and sample preparation development

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Integrated instruments for in-situ dating, possibly with multiple radiometric systems, that address isobars, backgrounds,
contamination, geologic context, and low isotope abundance
Capability Description: Demonstrated in-situ dating ability for measurements on the Moon and Mars, with potential application to other
solar system bodies
Capability State of the Art: Mars Science Laboratroy (MSL) Capability Performance Goal: Integrated instruments purpose
rover has produced both rock crystallization age (±350 Ma) and designed for in-situ dating, possibly with multiple radiometric systems,
surface exposure ages; however, the lack of a design specifically potentially with internal tests of validity such as provided by isochron
aimed at dating limits the dating precision and accuracy and ability methods, that address backgrounds, contamination, geologic context,
to assess potential biases in the results, such as the influence of sample origin and evolution
contamination from atmospheric argon or cogenetic formation of
the main mineralogy
Parameter, Value:
Parameter, Value: Minimum accuracy < ±200 Ma on ancient non-terrestrial rocks
Radiometric date to ± 350 Ma (or < ±5% over 4.5 Ga);
Desired accuracy < ±50 Ma on ancient non-terrestrial rocks (or
< ±1% over 4.5 Ga)

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
Discovery: Discovery 13 Enabling -­ 2020 2017 2 years
Planetary Flagship: Mars Sample Return Enhancing -­ 2026* 2023 8 years
New Frontiers: New Frontiers Program 4 (NF4/~2017 AO Release) Enhancing -­ 2024 2016 1 year
Planetary Exploration: DRM 8a Crewed Mars Orbital Enhancing 2033 -­ 2027 10 years
Planetary Exploration: DRM 9 Crewed Mars Surface Mission (DRA 5.0) Enhancing 2033 -­ 2027 10 years
Planetary Exploration: DRM 9a Crewed Mars Surface Mission (Minimal) Enhancing 2033 -­ 2027 10 years
*Launch date is estimated and not in Agency Mission Planning Model (AMPM)

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8.3 In-Situ Instruments and Sensors 8.3.3.9 High Sensitivity, Wide Temperature Range Seismometer
8.3.3 In-Situ (other)

TECHNOLOGY
Technology Description: Seismometer with 10-fold increase in sensitivity over current state-of-the-art that works over wide temperature
range in high radiation environment.
Technology Challenge: Maintaining low resonance frequency (fo) and quality factor (Q, amount of energy lost as a seismic wave
travels a particular point in a material) for the suspended mass over wide temperature range.
Technology State of the Art: Streckeisen STS-2, Technology Performance Goal: Lower noise, wider bandwidth
InSight seismometer. and temperature range.
Parameter, Value: 10-10 g/√Hz from 0.01 to 1 Hz,
TRL Parameter, Value: TRL
-65 to 20° C 7 10 -11
g/√Hz from 0.01-10 Hz, -220 to 100° C 3
Technology Development Dependent Upon Basic Research or Other Technology Candidate: Integration of several proven
technologies: Electrostatic zeroing of fo, tunnel diode readout, and force feedback.

CAPABILITY
Needed Capability: Ability to adjust fo remotely to compensate for temperature changes. Radiation hardened high-resolution displacement
sensor capable of operating over a wide temperature range with very low power.
Capability Description: The ability to adjust fo to near zero has been demonstrated by using electrostatic force to cancel gravity. This
technique is inherently remotely adjustable using an adjustable voltage source. For this approach, the needed displacement sensor was
constructed using tunnel-diode LC oscillator technology.
Capability State of the Art: fo is not remotely adjustable. It Capability Performance Goal: fo is adjusted as a function of
changes with temperature leading to changes in the bandwidth and temperature to compensate for changes in the spring constant.
the resolution of the seismometer. The operating temperature range Readout electronics is capable of operating in cryogenic and harsh
is not wide enough to cover icy moons like Enceladus (-201° C). radiation environment, and gives very high displacement resolution.
Parameter, Value: Parameter, Value:
fo = 0.25 Hz, Q = 100. fo = 0.03 Hz, Q = 1000, -220 to 100° C, survives 1017 fast neutron/
cm2 exposure, 10-10 m/s2√Hz displacement sensing.

Technology Needed for the Following NASA Mission Class Enabling or Mission Launch Date Technology Minimum
and Design Reference Mission Enhancing Class Date Need Date Time to
Mature
Technology
New Frontiers: Lunar Geophysical Network Enhancing -­ 2029 2021 2 years
Planetary Flagship: Europa Enabling -­ 2022* 2019 2 years

*Launch date is estimated and not in Agency Mission Planning Model (AMPM)

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