NASA heritage. Defense-grade reliability. Flight-proven systems_
Lightworker Photonics was founded by engineers from NASA Goddard Space Flight Center's Photonics Group. Our team developed and qualified fiber optic systems for laser altimeters, space station hardware, and planetary science instruments—systems now operating from Earth orbit to Mercury. We bring that same rigor to defense applications.
Materials scientist specializing in fiber optic cable performance under extreme conditions. At NASA GSFC, developed cryogenic fiber optic assemblies and high-power laser pulse transmission systems. Led qualification testing for thermal preparation, vibration performance, and hermetic connector technologies.
Former lead of NASA GSFC Photonics Group (Code 562). Over two decades qualifying fiber optic components for space flight, including radiation effects testing, failure analysis, and flight hardware development. Published extensively on photonic reliability—work that defined NASA's approach to optical fiber qualification.
Our capabilities are grounded in hardware that has flown. From MTP array connectors on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter to cryogenic assemblies on ICESat-2's ATLAS instrument, we've qualified components across the full range of space environments.
Fiber optic cables qualified for transmission of high-power laser pulses in LiDAR and laser altimeter applications. Thermal preparation protocols ensure stable operation across mission temperature ranges.
Multi-fiber array assemblies, ribbon cables, and hermetic terminations. Developed qualification protocols for MTP connectors, 5-fiber and 7-fiber array bundles, and 12-channel ribbon cables for space flight.
Design, manufacturing, testing, and integration of cryogenic fiber optic assemblies. Qualified for extreme thermal cycling from cryogenic to elevated temperatures in vacuum environments.
Comprehensive radiation effects testing including TID attenuation, electron-induced scintillation, and rare-earth doped fiber degradation. Maintain NASA's radiation effects database for commercial optical fiber.
Full space flight qualification testing: vibration performance, thermal preparation, connector evaluation, and failure analysis. Led root cause investigation for ISS fiber optic anomalies.
Qualification of laser diodes, VCSELs, optical modulators, and integrated photonic components for space environments. Expertise in hermetically sealed COTS device evaluation.
In an industry that runs on risk mitigation, verified heritage is currency. We've qualified photonic systems for the most demanding instruments NASA has ever built—mapping Mercury at 450°C, measuring ice sheets from orbit, and preparing to land on Titan. This library of flight-proven solutions means we've already solved your problem.
Qualified the fiber optic delivery system for the DraMS laser spectrometer. If our hardware can operate in Titan's -180°C methane atmosphere, your LEO application is well within envelope.
Cryogenic fiber assembly development for operations below -200°C. Solved the differential thermal contraction problem between metal ferrules and glass fibers at the L2 Lagrange point.
High-power laser delivery system for the Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter. Cryogenic assemblies measuring Earth's ice sheets with centimeter precision from 500km altitude.
Developed and qualified the 5-fiber and 7-fiber array connector assemblies for lunar surface mapping. Established the AVIM as the standard interconnect for high-vibration launch environments.
Optical fiber assemblies for the first orbital mission to Mercury. Longest laser communication link on record at the time. Survived the most extreme thermal environment in the inner solar system.
Fiber optic subsystems for the Express Logistics Carrier. Led failure investigation and root cause analysis when ISS fiber termini experienced anomalies—our lessons learned prevent yours.
The Geoscience Laser Altimeter System that started it all. Established the baseline protocols for space-flight fiber optic qualification that every subsequent mission has built upon.
We didn't just follow this standard—we wrote it. The governing document for fiber optic terminations in spaceflight, codified from two decades of our qualification work at Goddard.
Whether you're facing a specific photonics challenge or exploring capabilities for an upcoming program, we're prepared to discuss requirements, qualification approaches, and technical solutions.
All inquiries are handled with appropriate discretion. We understand the sensitivity of defense programs.