Risk reduction laser testing with q-switch driver - perform the following with a newly incorporated flight-like q-switch driver and power supply board. 1. Develop a test plan for operating the risk…

This federal contract award to BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems Inc. from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Langley Research Center is for risk reduction laser testing. The $193,656.00 cost-plus-fixed-fee task order requires the contractor to develop and execute a test plan for the CALIPSO mission's risk reduction laser, including performance characterization in ambient and near-vacuum conditions. The work supports the CALIPSO payload engineering services program. This task order is part of a larger NASA RAPID IV Indefinite Delivery Vehicle (IDV) contract, which provides a framework for the efficient procurement of spacecraft and related services. The award does not have a set-aside designation.

Risk reduction laser testing with q-switch driver - perform the following with a newly incorporated flight-like q-switch driver and power supply board. 1. Develop a test plan for operating the risk reduction laser, while capturing laser performance data at ambient and at near vacuum pressures. 2. Ensure that the laser optical module (LOM) of the risk reduction laser is in operational condition prior to the start of testing. Verify the new calipso flight-like q-switch driver and power supply circuit boards are operational in the risk reduction laser system prior to testing. 3. Perform a functionality test on the risk reduction laser to verify the laser system operates in ambient conditions of the test facility with power consumption and laser output power compliant to the test plan specified range. 4. Characterize the laser performance in ambient conditions; to include: a. Output power, b. Energy balance, and c. 532 wavelength. 5. Operate the laser in ambient conditions for at least 4 hours, while recording output power, energy, wavelength, and pedestal heater thermal stability. 6. Characterize the laser performance under vacuum conditions (less than 10-5 tort); to include: a. Output power, b. Energy balance, and c. 532 wavelength. 7. Characterize the laser performance under near vacuum conditions. Increase chamber pressure incrementally (minimum of three steps) until the pressure is representative of the flight laser canister. This test shall capture the following, but not be limited to the following: a. Output power, b. Energy balance, and c. 532 wavelength. 8. Submit a risk reduction performance final report that summarizes the results of the entire task order, including recommendations and conclusions based on the experience and results obtained. The final report should include tables, graphs, diagrams, photographs, and drawings in sufficient detail to explain comprehensively the results achieved under the task order.