Description: According to the NASA Strategic Plan there are four goals: discover, explore, innovate, and advance. These strategic goals focus on certain technologies that will strengthen the ability of NASA to complete specific missions. Namely, NASA is interested in the development and maturation of photonic integrated circuit (PIC) technology for infusion into existing and upcoming instruments which will lend well to the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD), Science Mission Directorate (SMD), and Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESDMD). Lynntech proposes to develop a thin-film lithium niobate modulator for inertial navigation.

Benefits: Lynntech's thin-film lithium niobate modulator for inertial navigation provides size, weight, and power benefits, as well as, cost savings for the following NASA applications: (1) lunar & planetary landings, (2) astronaut extravehicular activities (EVAs) & spacewalks, (3) attitude control systems, and (4) small-/cube-sats.With its small footprint and low power consumption, the photonic integrated circuit can be used in the commercial market in many portable sensing applications that require guidance and navigation such as drones, automobiles, boats, etc. Components of this device can also be used for the advancement of chip-based solutions in the telecommunications industry.