ISSUE: 70 | February 2024

In This Issue

News 

࡟ NASA TechFlights 2023 selections

Community of Practice 

࡟ March 6 webinar: 19 Million Miles Away: Infusion of a Flight Tested Technology Enabling 

Deep-Space Communications

Tech Transitions

࡟ Techs advanced via Flight Opportunities now on the Moon

Opportunities

࡟ Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium “show and tell”

Resources

࡟ State-of-the-Art Report on Small Spacecraft Technology

Events

࡟ Mar. 11-15: Lunar and Planetary Science Conference • The Woodlands, Texas

࡟ Apr. 8-11: Space Symposium • Colorado Springs

࡟ Apr. 23-24: Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium Spring Meeting • Laurel, Maryland

࡟ Apr. 23-25: CubeSat Developers Workshop • San Luis Obispo, California

Enjoy!

The Flight Opportunities team
News

NASA TechFlights 2023 Selections

NASA has selected 11 technologies for flight testing 

on commercial suborbital vehicles, including reusable 

suborbital rockets, rocket-powered landers, and 

aircraft following parabolic profiles that achieve 

micro-, lunar, or Martian gravity. These selections 

were made as part of the 2023 NASA TechFlights

solicitation, which is managed by the agency’s Flight 

Opportunities program.

This year’s selected technologies set out to address critical technology gaps facing NASA and the 

nation. The solicitation also included a call for technologies to support the agency’s Commercially 

Enabled Rapid Space Science (CERISS) initiative, part of the Science Mission Directorate’s Biological 

and Physical Science division.

Learn more and view the technology selections.

Community of Practice

19 Million Miles Away: Infusion of a Flight Tested Technology Enabling 

Deep-Space Communications

Wednesday, March 6, 2024 

10:00-11:00 a.m. PST 

Join this month’s webinar for insights into the development of 

a vibration isolation platform that was part of NASA’s first 

demonstration of optical communications beyond the EarthMoon system. Speakers will explore the technology’s maturation 

pathway that leveraged flight tests supported by NASA’s Flight 

Opportunities program. This progression ultimately led to the 

platform’s infusion into the agency’s historic Deep Space Optical 

Communications (DSOC) experiment aboard the Psyche mission. 

DSOC is a Technology Demonstration Mission aimed at streaming 

very high-bandwidth video and other data from deep space – 

enabling future human missions beyond Earth orbit. 

Microsoft Teams meeting 

Join on your computer, mobile app or room device 

Click here to join the meeting

Or call-in (audio only):

+1 256-715-9946 • Phone Conference ID: 573 645 751#

See all Community of Practice webinars.

The DSOC flight laser transceiver shown 

here is stabilized by the vibration isolation 

platform (underneath the instrument), which 

was matured through the Flight Opportunities 

program. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Technology Transitions

Techs Advanced via Flight Opportunities Now on the Moon

Before the Intuitive Machines Nova-C lander called 

Odysseus touched down on the Moon on Feb. 22 – the 

nation’s first landing to the lunar surface in 50+ years – 

two technologies had received important flight testing 

to prepare for the journey, thanks to NASA’s Flight 

Opportunities program.

The mission known as IM-1 that launched on Feb. 15 

is part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services 

(CLPS) program. CLPS supports the delivery of science 

and technology payloads – including these two previously 

supported by Flight Opportunities – to the Moon’s 

surface for testing. Both of these technologies ultimately 

contributed to the successful soft landing.

Navigation Doppler Lidar (NDL)

Developed at NASA’s Langley Research Center, NDL

uses a laser to measure a spacecraft’s altitude to within 

a few feet and relies on the Doppler effect to determine 

its direction and speed to within a few centimeters per 

second. The NDL system is lighter and more accurate 

than radar-based systems.

NDL played a key role in the IM-1 mission, providing 

Intuitive Machines with an assist in landing when the 

lander’s navigation system encountered a sensor issue.

In 2017, Flight Opportunities supported testing of NDL, 

which was instrumental in bridging the gap in technology 

maturation toward spaceflight in the CLPS mission 

demonstration. The rocket-powered Xodiac vehicle 

provided a unique environment for examining the effect of 

landing vehicle dynamics on NDL’s operation.

Radio Frequency Mass Gauge (RFMG)

Developed at NASA’s Glenn Research Center, RFMG uses radio waves and antennae in a tank to 

measure how much propellant is available—a particularly challenging task in microgravity. RFMG 

senses several resonant electromagnetic modes of the tank and compares them to results from 

several thousand numerical simulations. The best match indicates the fluid mass inside the tank.

During the IM-1 mission, RFMG helped Intuitive Machines verify the propellant levels in the Odysseus 

lander.

Launch of the IM-1 CLPS mission on Feb. 15, 2024. 

Credits: NASA

Artist’s concept of a lander descending to the lunar 

surface with assistance from NDL. Credits: NASA
Technology Transitions (cont)

Parabolic flights in 2011 supported by Flight Opportunities 

helped advance RFMG and led to novel ideas for 

improving the gauging algorithm. That progress helped 

RFMG secure a spot on the International Space Station for 

further testing, helping ready it for its demonstration on 

the CLPS mission.

Read more about future CLPS missions, several of 

which will have other technologies tested via Flight 

Opportunities.

In 2011, Dr. Gregory Zimmerli tested the RFMG in 

microgravity on parabolic flights supported by Flight 

Opportunities. Credits: Devin Boldt

Opportunities

Technology Demonstration “Show and Tell” at LSIC Spring Meeting

The Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium is taking submissions from individuals and/or companies 

interested in bringing a prototype to their April 23-25 spring meeting for a “show and tell.” To be 

considered for this showcase, fill out the online Technology Demonstration Application. (See the 

Events section below for more information about the LSIC spring meeting.)

Resources

Small Spacecraft Technology State-of-the-Art Report: 2023 Edition

NASA has released its latest update of the annually revised Small 

Spacecraft Technology State-of-the-Art Report. As in past years, 

the report contains a general overview of current state-of-the-art small 

spacecraft technologies and their development status as discussed 

in open literature. In preparing this year’s document, the editors 

made a concerted effort to update areas with recent technology 

developments that may ultimately bridge existing technology gaps.

Learn more and download the report.
Events

Lunar and Planetary Science Conference 2024 

Mar. 11-15, 2024 • The Woodlands Texas (near Houston)

LPSC brings together a diverse group of international experts in planetary research to 

showcase the latest science, research, and discoveries in the field. More than 2,000 planetary 

scientists and students will present their findings that provide new insights and a better understanding 

of the solar system.

Space Symposium

Apr. 8-11, 2024 • Colorado Springs, Colorado

This symposium provides a forum to discuss, address, and plan for future achievements in space. 

With a focus on international, commercial, emergent space, and national security, it provides 

networking and engagement opportunities with the global space community.

2024 Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium Spring Meeting

Apr. 23-24, 2024 • Laurel, Maryland

Join Flight Opportunities team members at LSIC’s 2024 Spring Meeting. With a focus on engaging the 

community on how to return to the Moon together, the meeting will cover NASA’s plans and updates, 

infusion paths, partnerships, and current technology investments. The agenda includes invited 

speakers, panels, focus area discussions, lightning talks, and posters. Let us know if you’re attending!

March 1 Deadline: LSIC invites abstract submissions pertaining to LSIC focus areas, including 

technical capabilities and lunar surface technology needs and assessments. Submit abstracts via the 

abstract portal and following the required template.

CubeSat Developers Workshop

Apr. 23-25, 2024 • San Luis Obispo, California

This annual three-day global conference brings together CubeSat developers to share ideas and 

experiences in developing small spacecraft. Other topics covered at the workshop include the status 

and availability of launch vehicles, new technology, and community communication. Join members of 

NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate – including the Small Spacecraft Technology and Flight 

Opportunities programs – at this workshop.

Have ideas or feedback for the Flight Opportunities newsletter? 

Drop us a line at: 

NASA-FlightOpportunities@mail.nasa.gov

STAY CONNECTED: 

NASA Flight Opportunities Program

Flight Opportunities is part of NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate.

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