ESTO Observation Technologies
Advanced instrument and platform technology can reduce risk and cost, and expand the capability for scientific observation. The development strategy for observation technologies focuses on new measurement approaches that will enable new science capabilities. Improvements in platform technology can reduce overall volume, mass, and operational complexity in observing systems. Furthermore, developing and validating these technologies before mission development improves their acceptance and infusion by mission planners, thereby significantly reducing costs and schedule uncertainties.

The Instrument Incubator Program (IIP) funds new and innovative technologies that lead to smaller, less resource intensive, and easier to build flight instruments. IIP aggressively pursues and infuses emerging technologies for incorporation in instrument systems from concept through field demonstrations.

The Advanced Component Technologies (ACT) program implements a broad array of technology development for state-of-the-art components observing systems.

The UAVSAR 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.