The Space Laser Business Model

About this technology

Overview

Creating long-duration, high-powered lasers that can withstand the type of optical damage dished out by the unforgiving climate of space is work unique to NASA. In the 1990s, as this technology was first being created, NASA gave free reign to a group of scientists to develop their own business model and supply the Space Agency with the technology it needed. Thus was born the Space Lidar Technology Center (SLTC). The photonics work performed at the SLTC was on the forefront of photonics. The group of founding scientists disbanded, and used the knowledge gained at NASA to start a company, Avo Photonics. The company now supplies defense, government, military, and aerospace organizations, and caters to the communications and medical industries. It provides advanced support in design to customers throughout all stages of their products' lifecycle, manufacturing capabilities from prototyping to production, and comprehensive testing services. The work is directly related to the work performed at the SLTC. In fact, Avo Photonics is now a NASA supplier.