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In an outstanding display of ingenuity and excellence, NASA researchers Guan Yang, Jeff Chen, and their team have been honored with the 2024 Innovator of The Year Award at the Goddard Space Flight Center. This prestigious recognition highlights the team's pioneering work in developing the Concurrent Artificially-intelligent Spectrometry and Adaptive Lidar System (CASALS), a groundbreaking technology expected to transform the field of space exploration and Earth sciences.
Lidar, analogous to sonar but employing laser technology to measure distances, is already an established tool in space exploration. However, the CASALS lidar system marks a quantum leap forward. Its compact design delivers high-resolution data within a more confined space, enhancing efficiency manifold over existing models.
The CASALS system represents a confluence of state-of-the-art technologies — efficient laser and receiver designs, innovative wavelength-based beam steering mechanisms that eliminate the need for moving parts, multispectral imaging capabilities, and, perhaps most importantly, an integrated artificial intelligence component. This AI integration enables the system to make informed, autonomous decisions while in space, an innovation that circumvents the delays inherent in relaying instructions from Earth-based controllers.
Highlighting the critical significance of the team's work, engineer Jeffrey Chen underscored the limitations of existing 3D-imaging lidars, which lack the necessary resolution to ensure the high-precision and safe landings that future robotic and human explorations missions require. The sophisticated CASALS lidar promises not only to fill this gap with its dual-functionality encompassing both 3D hazard-detection lidar and navigation doppler lidar capabilities but also to advance research into Earth science topics like topography, coastline changes, and much more.
In addition to its terrestrial applications, the CASALS lidar is poised to play a significant role in NASA's Artemis campaign, aiming to facilitate astronaut landings on the Moon with potential for future high-resolution lunar mapping. The technology also shows promise for mapping other rocky planets such as Venus or Mars, offering a versatile tool for a myriad of space exploration objectives.
The creation of the CASALS lidar was bolstered through the collaboration with Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contributors such as Axsun Technologies, Freedom Photonics, and Left Hand, which specialized in laser and optical technology. This synergy between NASA and external partners has been pivotal in bringing the vision of the CASALS system to fruition.
The Internal Research and Development (IRAD) Innovator of The Year award, conferred by the Goddard’s Office of the Chief Technologist, celebrates the innovative spirit and achievements of those within the program who have made significant contributions to the development of pioneering technology. The award was presented to the CASALS team on November 6, 2024, during a technology poster session held at NASA Goddard, solidifying their role as leaders in technological advancement for space and Earth sciences.