BIOSPHERICAL INSTRUMENTS, INC.

Aerospace · Acquired by Adaptisense Remote Sensing Group (2021)

Ruggedized hybrid photomultiplier and silicon photodetector sensor pairs (LOLUX radiometers) for airborne and shipboard ocean color and atmospheric optical sensing in low-light conditions.

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Updated Oct 23, 2026 · biospherical.com

Sector: Aerospace
Total capital: $8.1M

Federal grants: $1.9M; 4 awards · 2016–2026; Rank in peer group#2 of 13
Private capital raised: None on recordNo Form D filings on SEC EDGAR. Some raises are not filed.
Federal contracts: $6.2M; 66 awards · NASA, Commerce, Defense; Rank in Aerospace#301 of 1335
Granted patents: None on recordNo USPTO grants. Applications publish after 18 months.

Capital timeline

Latest events

Sep 2026Federal grantNASA · Phase I · Phase I SBIR - Hyperspectral Polarimetry, Irradiance, And Radiance System For Gimbal Enabled Autonomous Radiometry Of The Sea And Sky (hy-pir Gearss)$223K
Aug 2025Federal contractCommerce · Purchase Of Seven (7) Biospherical Instruments Scalar Par Sensors.$24K
Aug 2025Federal grantNASA · Phase II · SBIR Phase II, 80NSSC25C0048, Hyperspectral Optical Profiling System With Advanced Dynamic Vertical Sampling Resolution (hy-ops Advsr)$846K
Aug 2025Federal contractNASA · SBIR Phase II, 80NSSC25C0048, Hyperspectral Optical Profiling System With Advanced Dynamic Vertical Sampling Resolution (hy-ops Advsr)$846K
Aug 2024Federal contractNASA · FY24 SBIR Phase I- Hyperspectral Optical Profiling System With Advanced Dynamic Vertical Sampling Resolution (hy-ops Advsr)$139K
Aug 2024Federal grantNASA · Phase I · FY24 SBIR Phase I- Hyperspectral Optical Profiling System With Advanced Dynamic Vertical Sampling Resolution (hy-ops Advsr)$139K
Dec 2023Federal contractInterior · C-ops Devices$86K

Show 62 earlier federal awards

Sep 2023Federal contractCommerce · Services For Research & Data Analysis Project$20K
Mar 2023Federal contractCommerce · Nonpersonal Services To Provide Instrument Data Processing, Research Associate Training, And Technical Assistance For The Three Stations Of Noaa's Antarctic Uv Monitoring Network For The 2022/2023 Austral Measurement Season$80K
Mar 2020Federal contractCommerce · Purchase Of Par Sensors.$6K
Jan 2020Federal contractInterior · Aquatic And Surface Reference Radiometers$17K
Jun 2017Federal contractCommerce · Igf::ot::igf Nonpersonal Services To Provide Instrument Data Processing, Research Assistant Training, And Technical Assistance For The Three Antarctic Uv Monitoring Stations For The 2017-2018 Austral Measurement Season.$123K
Dec 2016Federal contractDefense · 8 Channel Compact Optical SYSTEM/C-OPS8$103K
Sep 2016Federal grantNASA · Phase II · 14-Decades Calibration in Airborne Detectors for Environmental Science (14DeCADES)$738K
Jun 2016Federal contractCommerce · Igf::ot::igf Provide Uv Instrument Data, Training And Technical Assistance Support For Three South Pole Stations.$21K
May 2016Federal contractCommerce · Repair And Calibration Of Instruments. 3.IGF::OT::IGF$5K
Apr 2016Federal contractNASA · Upgrading And Integrating C-air With C-aero To Advance Coastal Bio-optical Measurements.$18K
Sep 2015Federal contractNASA · Igf::ot::igf: Calibration Services: Calibration Of The Compact-optical Profiling System (c-ops) Ssensors. The Primary Minimum Featurgs Are Standard Evaluation Of All Components, O-ring Service, Calibration Of The Above- (solar) And In-water Light Sensors, Plus Calibration Of The Pressure Transducer, Temperature Probe, And Tilt Sensors.$4K
Jul 2015Federal contractCommerce · Igf::ot::igf Data Processing And Instrument Training For New Trainees.$17K
Jun 2015Federal contractNASA · Igf::ot::igf The 14-DECADES SBIR Leverages The Results Of A FY13 Spontaneous Irad To Characterize And Test (phase 1) And Subsequently Design And Build (phase 2) A Commercial-off-the-shelf (cots) Multiwaveband Sensor For Airborne Sensing Of Ocean Color In Conditions Of Very Low Light. The New Instrument Will Pair Ruggedized, Miniature Photomultiplier Tubes With Silicon Photodetectors To Create So-called Hybridnamic Detectors For Use In Both Radiance And Irradiance Radiometers, Featuring 14 Decade$125K
May 2015Federal contractNASA · Calibration Of Osprey And C-ops Sensors And Parts.$6K
May 2015Federal contractNASA · Igf::ot::igf Calibration Services Of C-ops ED0; Calibration Services Of C-ops Edz; Calibrations Services Of C-ops Luz$4K
Feb 2015Federal contractCommerce · Calibration And Repair Of Instruments. Igf::ot::igf For Other Functions$4K
Sep 2014Federal contractEnvironmental Prot · Purchase Digital Output Aquatic Scaler Par Sensor W/cables In Support Of The Beaches Study. See Attached Quote #140821001.1 For Further Details. Branch: U5-MERB Team Project: U-path Forward Igf::ct::igf Task: U-SSW7.1.R.W Vehicle: U-op Exp Boc: 36 Code: 5C$4K
Sep 2014Federal contractCommerce · Continued Turnover And Data Operation Of Prior NSF Network To Noaa. Igf::cl::igf$25K
Jun 2014Federal contractCommerce · Scientific Research Equipment$5K
May 2014Federal contractCommerce · Technical Services / Calibrations / Data Management For Southern Hemisphere Uv Network In Support Of Clean Air Act Of 1990 And Bsrn Igf::cl::igf$25K
Jan 2014Federal contractCommerce · Turnover And Data Management Of Uv Southern Hemisphere Uv Network Transferred From NSF To Noaa Igf::cl::igf$25K
Dec 2013Federal contractNASA · Igf::ot::igf Calibration Services Of C-ops: Calibration Of The C-ops Systemis Required After Ech Field Deployment To Enable Monitoring And Evaluation Of The Electronic Response Of The Sensores, And To Check For Defects Per Established Protocols.$4K
Sep 2013Federal contractNASA · Funds For Darkroomm Linearity Test/report.$11K
Sep 2013Federal contractNASA · Funds For Spare Microradiometer (19 Each)$11K
Jul 2013Federal contractNASA · Igf::ot::igf Coastal Airborne In-situ Radiometers System Technical Expert Support And Services For NASA Ames Research Center.$10K
Jul 2013Federal contractNASA · Igf::ot::igf Funds For Ocean Color Underwater Low Light Advanced Radiometer (ocullar) Photomultiplier Tube (pmt); Rooftop Lunar Deployment Report.$38K
Mar 2013Federal contractNASA · Igf::ot::igf The Purpose Of The Procurement Is For Biospherical Instruments Inc., (bsi) To Provide Small Boat Sampling In A Harmful Algal Bloom (hab) To Collect Measurements Of Above- And In-water Apparent Optical Properties (aops) With An Optical Sensors For Planetary Radiant Energy (osprey) System And Contemporaneous Observations Using A Compact-optical Profiling System (cops), Respectively. The Field Campaign Will Provide Data In Support Of Baseline Research For The Ace Mission, With The Hab$50K
Jan 2013Federal contractNASA · Igf::ot::igf Geo-cape Field Campaign - Sampling Hab. The Purpose Of The Procurement Is For Biospherical Instruments, Inc., ( Bsi) To Provide Small Boat Sampling In A Harmful Algal Bloom (hab) To Collect Measurements Of Above- And In-water Apparent Optical Properties (aops) With An Optical Sensors For Planetary Radiant Energy (osprey) System And Contemporaneous Observations Using A Compact-optical Profiling System (cops), Respectively. The C-ops And Opsrey Sensors Will Be Provided By The Nat$19K
Jan 2013Federal contractCommerce · Technical Support, Data Management, Parts, And Training For South Pole Uv Network - Igf::cl::igf$25K
Jan 2013Federal contractNASA · Igf::ot::igf The Purpose Of The Procurement Is To Calibrate The Light Sensors That Are A Part Of The Compact-optical Profiling System (c-ops) And Optical Sensors For Planetary Radiant Energy (osprey). The Supplies And Services Required For This Procurement Are A C-ops System Calibration And Osprey Solar Reference Calibration. The Primary Minimum Features Are Standard Evaluation Of All Components, O-ring Service, Calibration Of The Solar (c-ops Plus Osprey) And C-ops In-water Light Sensors, Plus $7K
Dec 2012Federal contractNASA · Igf::ot::igf - NASA Has An Ongoing Commitment To Collect In Situ Data With A Documented Uncertainty In Keeping With Established Performance Metrics For Vicarious Calibration Of Ocean Color Satellite Sensors. This Proposal Seeks Funding To Develop An In-water "hybridspectral" Capability That Combines Two Differing Practices For Data Collection (multiwaveband And Hyperspectral) To Satisfy The Diversity, Accuracy, And Precision Requirements Of Future Ocean Color Missions. Called The Compact Hybr$700K
Dec 2012Federal contractNASA · Igf::ot::igf Services For Instruments 19 Waveband C-ops Edo Surface Reference Calibration 19 Waveband C-ops Edz Downward Ln:adiance Calibration 19 Waveband C-ops Upwelling Radiance Luz Calibration Water Pressure/depth Calibration Pitch And Roll Calibration Water Temp Sensor Calibration$4K
Sep 2012Federal contractCommerce · Uv Radiometer$11K
Sep 2012Federal contractNASA · Basic Compact Propulsion Option For Profiling Systems (1 Ea) C-props Enhanced Deployment Software&field Verification (1 Ea) Advanced C-props Configuration (1 Ea)$85K
Aug 2012Federal contractNASA · Igf::ot::igf Other Functions: Subops Ed, Lu And Es System Calibration, Includes Standard Evaluation And O-ring Service, And Calibration Of All Wavebands Of Optics, And All Pressure, Temperature, And Tilt Sensors.$5K
Jun 2012Federal contractNASA · C-ops Oem Conductivity Sensor/integration$17K
Apr 2012Federal contractCommerce · Radiometer PUV-2500$23K
Apr 2012Federal contractCommerce · Data Processing, Tech Consulting, Training, And Modifications To Instruments For Southern Hemisphere Uv Network Turnover From NSF To Noaa.$25K
Feb 2012Federal contractNASA · NASA Has An Ongoing Commitment To Collect In Situ Data With A Documented Uncertainty In Keeping With Established Performance Metrics For Vicarious Calibration Of Ocean Color Satellite Sensors And To Validate The Algorithms For Which The Remotely-sensed Observations Are Used As Input Parameters. This Proposal Seeks Funding To Develop An In-water "hybridspectral" Capability That Combines Two Differing Practices For Data Collection (multiwaveband And Hyperspectral) To Satisfy The Necessary Diversit$125K
Sep 2011Federal contractCommerce · Continued Turnover Support For Noaa's Uv Network From Former Network Owners - Data Processing, Tech Consulting, And Training$25K
Sep 2011Federal contractNASA · Profiling Radiometer Systems (c-ops)$75K
Sep 2011Federal contractCommerce · Calibration&refurbishment$10K
Jul 2011Federal contractCommerce · Calibration$3K
Jun 2011Federal contractNASA · Calibration And Field Support Services For Deployment Of In-water Radiometry Profiling Instrument For The Geo-cape Chesapeake Bay Field Campaign.$18K
Jun 2011Federal contractDefense · BIC-2104P, 4-CHANNEL Aquatic Profiler$23K
Mar 2011Federal contractCommerce · Purchase Log Scalar Par Sensors.$5K
Aug 2010Federal contractCommerce · Underwater Par Sensor$16K
Jul 2010Federal contractNASA · Subops Systems Upgrade$63K
Jul 2010Federal contractCommerce · Training And Turnover Of Uv Network Operations To Noaa Staff Including NSF Supplies And Spares To Noaa$95K
Jul 2010Federal contractCommerce · Calibration And Refurbishment$20K
May 2010Federal contractCommerce · Purchase Photosynthetically Active Radiation Sensors.$5K
Feb 2010Federal contractCommerce · Light Instruments$24K
Aug 2009Federal contractInterior · Procurement Of An Underwater Profiling Radiometer (light Meter) To Maintain Measurements Of Light Penetration Within The Water Column Of Crater Lake For Long-term Monitoring$23K
Jul 2009Federal contractCommerce · Water$24K
May 2009Federal contractCommerce · Calibration And Reburbishment Of Bic Underwater Light Instrument$5K
May 2009Federal contractDefense · Sensors$6K
Oct 2008Federal contractNASA · This Contract Is For The Purchase Of Optical Sensors For Planetary Radiant Energy Calibration And Validation Of Current And Next-generation NASA Missions. The Primary Objective Of This Proposal Is To Establish An Above-water Radiometer System On An Offshore Platform As A Lower Cost Alternative To Existing In-water Buoys For The Collection Of Ground-truth Observations. The Goal Is To Be Able To Make High-quality Measurements Satisfying The Accuracy Requirements For The Vicarious Calibration And$2M
May 2008Federal contractDefense · Sensors$34K
Apr 2008Federal contractCommerce · Above And Below Water Light Instrument$24K
Mar 2008Federal contractNASA · This Procurement Involves The Modification Of Equipment That Was Originally Manufactured By Biospherical Instruments, Inc. (bsi). The Modified Instruments Must Match The Capabilities Of The Originals In Terms Of Calibration, Functionality, And Telemetry. The Primary Objective Of The Procurement Is To Exploit A New Sensor Technology For Measuring The Apparent Optical Properties Of Seawater, Which Was Developed In Collaboration With NASA (the Development Cycle Wassuccessfully Completed At The End $178K
Oct 2007Federal contractCommerce · Three Above And Four Below Water Instruments Calibration And Post Cailvrations.$8K
Dec 2005Federal contractNASA · SBIR Phase II 2004 Research Project$600K

Federal awards are summed by year (69 awards); hover a bar for the split. Form D reports securities sold, which can differ from an announced round; filings are numbered in the order they were made.

1 record has no date or no amount, so it isn’t placed on the timeline.

Standing among 13 peers

Line = median

Aerospace · Instrument

Federal grants#2 · top 15%

Cumulative measures favor older companies. Rankings describe position today, not outcome. Below the median, ranks show as a band rather than a number.

Founders and team

No founders are linked to this company yet.

Founders appear once a person is matched to the company through its own patents, grants or filings. We never infer people from social profiles.

Checked: USPTO inventors; federal award principal investigators; SEC Form D related persons · Oct 23, 2026

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What it has protected

No granted patents are on record.

USPTO usually publishes applications 18 months after filing, so recent applications may not be visible yet. Patents assigned under a different entity name won’t match.

Checked: USPTO granted patents and published applications · Oct 23, 2026

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Regulatory activity · Aerospace

Sector-level, not company-level

06 Jul 2026Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs of NASA-Effectuation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964National Aeronautics and Space Administration
01 Jul 2026Special Conditions: AMAC Aerospace, The Boeing Company Model 747- 8 Airplane; Side-Facing SeatsFederal Aviation Administration
26 Jun 2026Standard Instrument Approach Procedures, and Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures; Miscellaneous AmendmentsFederal Aviation Administration
23 Jun 2026Operating Limitations at John F. Kennedy International AirportFederal Aviation Administration
23 Jun 2026Operating Limitations at New York LaGuardia AirportFederal Aviation Administration
18 Jun 2026Special Conditions: Honeywell Aerospace US LLC, Dassault Aviation Model Falcon 900EX Airplane; Electronic System Security Protection From Unauthorized External AccessFederal Aviation Administration

Rules are matched to sector, not to company. Recent activity in a sector is context rather than a signal about this business — until rules are matched to what a company actually builds, the section is shown as context and nothing more.

Sources

Federal grants from SBIR/STTR, NIH, NSF and DoD records. Federal contracts from USAspending.gov. Private capital from SEC Form D. Patents from USPTO. Publications from OpenAlex. Regulatory activity from the Federal Register. Press matched on company name.

How to read this page

Figures show associations in public records, not causes or predictions. Nothing here is investment advice. An em-dash means no record was found under this company's name, not that none exists.

Data freshness

SEC Form D filings through Oct 23, 2026. SBIR and STTR awards through Oct 21, 2026.