A crucial benefit of metrological experiments in space is the extended measurement time, which can only be fully utilized when using specially prepared ultra-cold atomic samples, Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs), having the minimum temperatures allowed by quantum mechanics. By utilizing a new method using Grating Magneto-Optical Traps (G-MOTs) which is fast, simple and compact, the generated BEC will be in an ideal format for space and terrestrial applications.

Laser-focused resolution and the ability to work without background illumination favour the use of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) in a vast range of space applications. However, LiDAR technology is not without shortcomings, such as its significant Mass, Volume and Power (MVP) budgets, as well as development time. Modern mission parameters are pushing the Space market towards more compact, less costly solutions. LiDAR as it exists today does not meet these requirements, in large part due to the presence of mechanically-driven laser beam-steering components.

A fibre-based deep space optical data terminal incorporates a seed laser, amplitude, frequency and / or phase modulator, optical amplifier and free-space beam forming optic. Provision is also made for coarse and fine pointing. For little additional Size Weigh and Power (SWaP), the architecture can be extended to that of a coherent Laser Imager Distance and Ranging LIDAR. Unlike conventional direct detection and photon counting schemes, it is relatively straightforward with coherent LIDAR to achieve quantum limited detection performance with unsophisticated detectors.