Lighting Science Group Corporation (LSG), a global leader in LED lighting products and the NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center Thursday have signed a two year agreement to jointly develop a high illumination and good color rendering LED light fixture for space exploration.

"LED lighting is a perfect solution for space exploration because of its ability to function in extreme temperatures and its bright white and variable light," said Daniel C. Shultz, of the John F. Kennedy Space Center. "Any multipurpose light source used on spacecraft will also need to exhibit long life and excellent color rendering -- important for our astronauts' ability to see and to be aware of unknown surroundings."

The two year agreement calls for development of a lighting fixture prototype that will meet the unique demands of space equipment and space travel including control, vibration, off-gassing, electromagnetic interference and other spacecraft issues. With a life of up to 50,000 hours, LEDs require only infrequent maintenance, which is ideal for space exploration. LEDs are also easily controlled, providing smooth dimmability and constant color temperature throughout the dimming range.

"The Lighting Science-NASA agreement also gives us an opportunity to explore LED lighting's impact on human factors management, so important to space travelers who spend long periods of time away from the normal rhythms of Earth time," said Fred Maxik, Chief Scientist at Lighting Science. "We hope to not only improve circadian rhythm management for our astronauts but, also to learn something that will help the millions of people who struggle with these issues here on Earth."