Studies are a critical part of the technology planning process and serve to: align the technology portfolio to NASA science needs, establish the range of capability requirements the technology program must address, and identify the pros and cons of available technology options. More specifically, the technology program conducts system studies as part of its planning process to:

• Identify and refine candidate Earth-observing scenarios, and translate those options into detailed technology requirements;
• Compare the relative merits of alternative technology approaches;
• Identify gaps in technology development; and,
• Prioritize needs and develop roadmaps to focus technology solicitations.

Studies are also used to explore new component, system, and architectural concepts with a far-term horizon of 15 to ~ 25 years that are based on futuristic science and applications scenarios. These new concepts provide the basis for planning the future of the technology investments.

Study Archive by Year

Jump to Year:
Pre-2000 / 2000 / 2001 / 2002 / 2003 / 2004 / 2005 / 2010 / 2012 / 2013 / 2014 / 2015

FY2016

ESTO Microwave Technologies Strategy Update 2016
- Azita Valinia, NASA ESTO; Adam Chandler, The Aerospace Corporation; Frank Kantrowitz, The Aerospace Corporation;
and David Kunkee, The Aerospace Corporation
Final Report (9.4 MB pdf)

ESTO Lidar Technologies Strategy Update 2016
- Azita Valinia, NASA ESTO; Kevin M. Gaab, The Aerospace Corporation; Jason Hyon, Jet Propulsion Laboratory; William Lotshaw, The Aerospace Corporation; and David Tratt, The Aerospace Corporation
Final Report (1.8 MB pdf)

 

FY2015

Earth Science Mission Control Center Enterprise Emerging Technology Study
- Dan Smith, Goddard Space Flight Center; Donald Royer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory; Donald Sullivan, Ames Reasearch Center, Stephen Horan, Langley Research Center; and Karen Moe, NASA Earth Science Technology Office
Final Report (1 MB pdf)

FY2014

Instrument First, Spacecraft Second (IFSS): Reducing Development Risk in NASA Science Missions
- Robert Bitten and Eric Mahr, The Aerospace Corporation
Paper (<1 MB pdf)

FY2013

Next Generation Enterprise NASA Earth Science Mission Control Center Architecture
- Ostroy, Joanne H., et al, The Aerospace Corporation
Final Report (2.2 MB pdf)

Evaluation of the Optical Autocovariance Wind Lidar (OAWL) and its Potential Impact on Numerical Weather Prediction
- Robert Atlas, NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory
Final Report (7.5 MB pdf)

FY2012

Instrument Schedule Delays: Potential Impact on Mission Development Cost for Recent NASA Projects
- Robert Bitten and Eric Mahr, The Aerospace Corporation
Paper Presented at IGARSS 2012 (170 KB pdf)

Evaluating Options for Enhancing Technology Development and Controlling Cost Growth
- Robert Bitten and Eric Mahr, The Aerospace Corporation
Paper Presented at IGARSS 2012 (100 KB pdf)

FY2010

Instrument First, Spacecraft Second (IFSS): A New Paradigm In Space Mission Development
- Robert Bitten and Eric Mahr, The Aerospace Corporation; Claude Freaner, NASA HQ
Final Report (2.7 MB pdf)

FY2005

The Feasibility of Radar-Based Remote Sensing of Barometric Pressure
- Bing Lin, LaRC
Final Report (1.4 MB pdf)

Using GLAS/ICESAT Data To Derive CFLOS Statistics For The Design Of Future Space-Based Active Optical Remote Sensors
- Dr. David Emmitt, Simpson Weather Associates
Final Report (188 KB pdf)

FY2004

Soil Moisture and Salinity using P-Band from Geostationary Orbit
- Peter Hildebrand, GSFC
Final Report (96 KB pdf)

FY2003

Parametric Evaluation of Cold Land Processes Measurement Technologies
- Don Cline, NOAA
Final Report (2.40 MB pdf)

Feasibility of Using Lithium-Ion Batteries for LEO Applications
- Top Spitzer, GSFC
Final Report (108 KB pdf)

Remote Sensing of Tropospheric Chemistry Using LIDARS from GEO
- Syed Ismail, LaRC
Final Report (664 KB pdf)

Evaluation of how ES can improve the process of moving from operations to useful information products
- Ray Williamson, GWU
Final Report

FY2002

IS Technologies for a Hazard Monitoring and Mitigation System Using Sensorwebs
-Karen Moe; Draper Labs
Final Report (1.31 MB pdf)

Evaluation of Drag-Free Technology for LEO Applications
-Jesse Leitner, GSFC
Final Report (2.63 MB pdf)

IS Technologies for 5-day Weather Forecasting Using Sensorwebs
-Mike Kalb, GSFC
Final Report (2.8 MB pdf)

FY2001

Socio-Economic Value of Improved Weather and Climate Information
-Ray Williamson, George Washington University
Final Report (711KB pdf)     Space Journal Paper (290KB pdf)

Feasibility of Using Parasitic Radar for Precipitation Measurements
-John Sahr, U. of Washington (Seattle); James Weinman, GSFC
Final Report (846 KB pdf)

A Notional Sensorweb Concept
-Kevin Delin, JPL
Final Report (2.73 MB pdf)

Microware Radiometer Roadmap for the EOS-7b Mission
-Joe Waters, JPL; Robert Lawrence, LaRC
Final Report (423 KB pdf)

Advanced Weather Prediction Technologies: NASA's Contribution to the Operational Agencies
-Mike Kalb, Bob Atlas, GSFC
Final Report (3.17MB pdf)

FY2000

Feasiblity of Using LIDAR to Measure Tropospheric Winds from a Geosynchronous Orbit
-George Emmit, Simpson Weather Associates, VA
Final Report (287 KB pdf)      Igarss 2000 paper (422 KB pdf)

Feasibility of using Synthetic Aperture Radar to Measure Soil Moisture and Monitor Natural Hazards
-Jay Herman, GSFC
Final Report (1.02 MB pdf)     Igarss 2000 paper (67 KB pdf)

Atmospheric Chemistry Measurements From Libration Point 1
-Jay Herman, GSFC
Final Report (2.30 MB pdf)     Igarss 2000 paper (539 KB pdf)

Advanced Communication Architectures Study (using the Leonardo concept as a benchmark)
-Lockheed Martin
Final Report (11.7 MB pdf)

Pre-FY2000 Studies

GPS Surface Reflection Technology Requirements for Space Applications
-James L Garrison, GSFC; Stephen J Katzberg, LaRC
Final Report (1.7 MB pdf)

Technology Requirements in Advanced Microwave Radiometry
-J.W. Johnson, LaRC
Final Report (1.8 MB pdf)

Active Tropospheric Ozone and Moisture Sounder Trade-Off Study
-E. R. Kursinski, JPL
Final Report (2.6 MB pdf)

Using COTS Components for Real-Time Processing of SAR Systems
-Charles Le, Scott Hensley, JPL
Final Report (560 KB pdf)

Geostationary Tropospheric Pollution Satellite (Geo Tropsat)
-Alan Little, LaRC
Final Report (1.7 MB pdf)

Feasibility Study and System Design for a Spaceborne Along-Track Interferometer/Scatterometer
-Delwyn Moller, JPL
Final Report (900 KB pdf)

Trade Studies in Multi/Hyperspectral Imaging Systems
-Pantazis Mouroulis, JPL
Final Report (3.1 MB pdf)

Advanced Microwave Radiometry and Scatterometry Approaches for Surface Hydrology
-Eni G. Njoku, JPL
Final Report (1 MB pdf)

Virtual Polar Geostationary Satellite (VPGS)
-David Pieri, JPL
Final Report (764 KB pdf)

Laser Altimetry and SAR Interferometry for Vegetation Canopy Characterization
-E. Rodriguez, I Kulikov, JPL
Final Report (1.9 MB pdf)

Tropospheric Ozone Fabry-Perot Interferometer
-William A. Roettker, LaRC
Final Report (1 MB pdf)

Cloud and Aerosol Lidar Technology Systems Study
-John H. Stadler, LaRC
Final Report (1.8 MB pdf)

Comparison of Remote Sensing Techniques for Measuring Carbon Sequestration
-Mark A. Vincent, Sasan S. Saatchi, JPL
Final Report (2 MB pdf)

GPS Ocean Surface Reflection Technology Requirements for Space Applications
-Cinzia Zuffada, JPL
Final Report (552 KB pdf)