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30+ YEARS SPACE FLIGHT SUCCESS

Precision Photonics
for Critical Missions

NASA heritage. Defense-grade reliability. Flight-proven systems_

View Capabilities → Initiate Contact
About

Engineering Light for
Extreme Environments

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.

JT
W. Joe Thomes, Jr., PhD
Founder

25 years developing optical fiber, photonic laser, and optoelectronic systems for space flight. Operations Manager of NASA GSFC's Photonics Group and Distinguished Aerospace Instrumentation Engineer.

// Key Programs

  • PACE Ocean Color Instrument — lead engineer, large-core fiber arrays
  • Roman Space Telescope — custom optoelectronics and flight assemblies
  • JWST — cryogenic fiber optic assemblies for ISIM
  • GEDI, ICESat-2, LRO, Mars ChemCam & SuperCam

// Education

  • PhD, Materials Science & Engineering — University of Florida
  • BS, Physics (Honors) & Mathematics — William & Mary

// Expertise

Cryogenic Fiber Optics High-Power Laser Transmission LiDAR Systems Environmental Testing Optical Fiber Arrays MTP Connectors Optoelectronic Risk Mitigation LiNbO₃ Modulators

// Awards

★ NASA Exceptional Technology Achievement Medal
★ Robert H. Goddard Exceptional Achievement Award
◆ U.S. Patent — RF interferometry via optical fiber

Selected publications. Full listing at photonicsarchive.com

Journal Articles
Conference Proceedings
View all publications →
Download CV (PDF)
Melanie N. Ott
Melanie N. Ott
Co-Founder

30 years qualifying photonic and fiber optic systems for space flight. Creator and leader of NASA GSFC's Photonics Group (Code 562). Globally recognized authority on radiation effects in optical fiber and photonic component reliability.

// Key Programs

  • ICESat-2 ATLAS — lead system engineer, fiber optic subsystem
  • LRO / LOLA — lead system engineer, fiber array design to integration
  • MESSENGER / MLA — lead fiber optic hardware engineer
  • JWST, Roman, Mars ChemCam, GEDI, LISA, Europa ICEMAG

// Education

  • MS, Electrical Engineering (Optics) — Virginia Tech
  • BS, Electrical Engineering — Virginia Tech

// Expertise

Radiation Effects Fiber Optic Failure Analysis Optical Fiber Arrays Space-Grade Qualification Integrated Photonic Circuits InP Laser Photonics Standards (NASA, IEEE, ESA) Component Screening

// Awards

★ NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal
★ NASA Exceptional Service Medal
◆ NASA Goddard Senior Fellow — advisor to Center Director

Selected from 50+ publications. Full listing at photonicsarchive.com

Journal Articles
Conference Proceedings
View all publications →
Download CV (PDF)
Capabilities

Flight-Qualified Photonic Systems

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.

55+ Combined Years
15+ Flight Missions
50+ Publications

Space-Qualified Fiber Optic Assemblies

Custom multi-fiber array assemblies, MTP connectors, ribbon cables, and hermetic feedthroughs designed and qualified for space flight. Heritage hardware on JWST, ICESat-2 ATLAS, LRO, PACE, and Roman Space Telescope.

MTP Arrays Ribbon Cable Hermetic Feedthroughs Large-Core Polishing

High-Power Laser Transmission

Fiber optic cables and optical systems qualified for high-power pulsed laser delivery in LiDAR, laser altimeters, and directed energy applications. Includes DOE optical firing set heritage from Sandia National Labs.

Laser Altimeters LiDAR Systems Pulsed Laser Delivery Optical Firing Sets

Cryogenic & Extreme Environments

Design through integration of fiber optic assemblies for cryogenic, high-radiation, and extreme thermal environments. Proven on JWST (4K operation), Europa Clipper, and Mars surface instruments.

Cryo to 4K Thermal Vacuum Vibration Qualified Mars-Rated

Radiation Hardening & Effects Testing

Globally recognized expertise in radiation effects on optical fiber and photonic components. Authors of NASA's NEPP radiation effects database. Proton, gamma, and heavy ion characterization across hundreds of fiber types.

TID Testing Proton & Gamma NEPP Database 12 Mrad Heritage

Qualification & Risk Mitigation

End-to-end qualification test plans, acceptance procedures, and workmanship standards for defense and space programs. Expert component screening and selection to reduce risk on accelerated timelines.

Component Screening NASA / IEEE / ESA Qual Testing ANSI Z540.3

Failure Analysis & Reliability

Root cause investigation for photonic component anomalies in flight and ground systems. Packaging and upjacketing expertise that has set quality standards for NASA, government agencies, and prime contractors.

Root Cause Analysis Packaging Forensics Anomaly Resolution
Heritage

Flight-Proven Track Record

Our team's fiber optic systems have operated successfully on missions spanning Earth science, planetary exploration, and human spaceflight. This heritage forms the foundation for every component we deliver.

Flagship Missions
Operational

ICESat-2 / ATLAS

Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System

4K Cryo-Qualified
2018 Launch Year
6+ Years On-Orbit

Cryogenic fiber optic assemblies qualified for 4K operation, delivering precise elevation data for ice sheet monitoring. Lead system engineer role on photonic subsystems.

Operational

LRO / LOLA

Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter

1st MTP Arrays in Space
2009 Launch Year
15+ Years On-Orbit

First space-qualified MTP multi-fiber array connectors. Produced the most detailed topographic map of the Moon's surface ever created.

Mission Complete

MESSENGER / MLA

Mercury Laser Altimeter

450°C Thermal Extreme
2004 Launch Year
11 Years in Flight

Fiber optic systems that survived the extreme thermal environment near Mercury — one of the harshest operating conditions in the solar system.

Additional Flight Heritage

MMS

Magnetospheric Multiscale

Fiber optic gyroscope qualification for four spacecraft studying magnetic reconnection in formation flight.

2015

ISS

International Space Station

Express Logistics Carrier fiber optic subsystems. Led failure investigation and root cause analysis of on-orbit anomalies.

1998

CloudSat / CPR

Cloud Profiling Radar

Fiber optic pressure sensing for waveguide pressurization monitoring on this critical Earth observation mission.

2006

GLAS / ICESat

Geoscience Laser Altimeter System

Established the baseline protocols for space-flight fiber optic qualification that every subsequent mission built upon.

2003
NASA-STD-8739.5

We didn't just follow this standard — we wrote it.

The governing document for fiber optic terminations in spaceflight hardware, codified from two decades of our qualification work at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.

Initiate Contact

Ready to discuss your photonic requirements? Whether you're qualifying components for a new defense program, troubleshooting an in-flight anomaly, or need heritage solutions for an accelerated timeline, our team is ready to engage.

All inquiries receive a response within one business day. ITAR/export controlled discussions available upon verification.

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