Title: Fiber-based, trace-gas, laser transmitter technology development for space
Presenting Author: Mark A. Stephen
Organization: NASA GSFC
Co-Author(s): Mark Stephen, Anthony Yu, Jeffrey Chen, Jeffrey Nicholson, Stewart Wu, Graham Allan, Brayler Gonzales, Lawrence Han, Kenji Numata, William Hasselbrack, Michael Rodriguez, William Mamakos, James Abshire

Abstract:
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) is developing the technology for a fiber-based laser transmitter. The ultimate goal is to demonstrate the technology is ready for deployment in space by building a prototype that meets all of the optical performance requirements and passes relevant environmental tests that simulate launch and satellite operation. We are working on a fiber-based master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) laser transmitter architecture. The technology development has broad applicability, however the performance requirements were developed for atmospheric CO2 remote-sensing measurements targeting NASA's ASCENDS Mission. We have developed an optical design capable of high peak optical power, high efficiency, tunable and narrow wavelength spectrum and very flexible temporal pulse characteristics. We have developed a ruggedized mechanical design. We will review the transmitter architecture and our progress on the performance testing and packaging of the laser transmitter and review our plans for testing the hardware and demonstrating a technology readiness level of 6.