Overview of the NASA LISA laser system development

Abstract NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) is developing a laser system (LS) for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission, led by the European Space Agency with a launch date of 2035. The LS under development at NASA GSFC consists of a laser head, a frequency reference system, and power monitor detector assemblies. The LS development, which began in late 2016, follows the established NASA process in demonstrating the performance requirements through the development of various models to advance the technology readiness level (TRL) ( www.nasa.gov/directorates/somd/space-communications-navigation-program/technology-readiness-levels/ ). The effort began with a successful demonstration of a laboratory breadboard (TRL 4) and has achieved a status of TRL-6 (flight-qualified) through rigorous testing and performance verification for space applications. In this paper, we provide an overview of the development and roadmap for advancing the LISA LS toward spaceflight by the NASA GSFC. Optomechanical and electronic details of each component and subsystems are presented in this paper, as well as test results and technical challenges that have been or are being overcome. As the project progresses, more detailed results will be reported in future publications including representative scientific data in support of the LISA launch, which is planned for 2035.