ESTO Observation Technologies
Carefully developed instrument and platform technologies can reduce risk and cost of, and expand the capability for, new scientific observations. ESTO's strategy for observation technologies focuses on new measurement approaches that can enable new science capabilities as well as technologies to reduce overall volume, mass, and operational complexity in observing systems. Developing and validating novel observation technologies before mission development improves their acceptance and infusion by mission planners and significantly reduces costs and schedule uncertainties.

ESTO currently manages three observation technology programs:

The Advanced Component Technologies (ACT) program develops a broad array of components and sub-systems for instruments, platforms, and observing systems.

The Instrument Incubator Program (IIP) funds innovative technologies that lead directly to new Earth observing instruments, sensors, and systems. From concept through field demonstrations and infusion, IIP developments yeild smaller, less resource intensive, and easier-to-build flight instruments.

The UAVSAR project, which evolved from an IIP-funded project, is actively pursuing an L-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system that will fly on an uninhabited aerial vehicle (UAV) for rapid repeat-pass interferometry measurements of Earth's surface.