NASA pushes the frontiers of engineering, taking smart risks and pursuing innovative ways to explore our planet and the solar system. As an innovation hub for Earth science, we develop new technologies to observe the unseen and answer critical questions about our planet.
Together with industry partners, we conceive and build the next generation of remote sensing tools, enabling NASA missions and charting a path for operational agencies and businesses. By testing and proving cutting-edge technologies — from advanced sensors to predictive models — NASA Earth Science creates jobs, drives innovation, and sustains U.S. leadership in the exploration of Earth and other planets.
Why it matters
By investing in Earth observation technology, we’re strengthening America’s industrial base and creating new opportunities in the rapidly growing commercial space sector. These innovations protect American lives and property while maintaining our nation’s technological edge over global competitors.
These investments also advance America’s space exploration goals. The same satellite technologies that track Earth’s weather and surface features today are proving grounds for systems we’ll need for sustainable presence on Mars.
Featured Video
From Orbit to A.I. – Harnessing Machine Learning with Landsat Data
Over the last few years, machine learning techniques have been increasingly used to analyze the vast amount of data collected by the Landsat mission, which has been circling the globe for over 50 years.
How NASA Earth Science Technology Helps
- We accelerate innovation by partnering with American companies and universities to develop next-generation Earth observation capabilities.
- We ensure U.S. technological leadership by pioneering advanced solutions that combine satellite engineering, data processing, and artificial intelligence.
- We create opportunities for American businesses that transition NASA innovations into commercial products, fueling growth in the space sector and other private sectors.
Jonathan Dyer
CEO of Muon Space
What We Do
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Develop Next-Generation Earth Observation Capabilities
Working with technologists and engineers at companies, universities, and federal labs nationwide, we’re creating next-generation satellites and sensors that deliver precise data about our nation’s resources, from freshwater supplies to rare Earth minerals critical for domestic technology manufacturing.
For example, the American weather company Tomorrow.io is leveraging breakthrough miniaturized radar technology first proven by NASA’s RainCube — a shoebox-sized satellite that successfully observed major storms using radar 100 times smaller than traditional systems.
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Maintain American Leadership in Space Technology
Our Earth Science Technology Office (ESTO) provides funding opportunities and technical management to develop and demonstrate the advanced Earth observation capabilities that maintain U.S. leadership in space.
For example, NASA Earth Science’s investment in quantum technology aims to position the nation at the forefront of this revolutionary field. Advances in sensors such as the Quantum Gravity Gradiometer will help America better track crucial resources like underground water supplies and changing sea levels, while ensuring the U.S. stays ahead of global competitors in this cutting-edge technology.
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Develop Next-Generation Earth Observation Capabilities
Working with technologists and engineers at companies, universities, and federal labs nationwide, we’re creating next-generation satellites and sensors that deliver precise data about our nation’s resources, from freshwater supplies to rare Earth minerals critical for domestic technology manufacturing.
For example, the American weather company Tomorrow.io is leveraging breakthrough miniaturized radar technology first proven by NASA’s RainCube — a shoebox-sized satellite that successfully observed major storms using radar 100 times smaller than traditional systems.
-
Maintain American Leadership in Space Technology
Our Earth Science Technology Office (ESTO) provides funding opportunities and technical management to develop and demonstrate the advanced Earth observation capabilities that maintain U.S. leadership in space.
For example, NASA Earth Science’s investment in quantum technology aims to position the nation at the forefront of this revolutionary field. Advances in sensors such as the Quantum Gravity Gradiometer will help America better track crucial resources like underground water supplies and changing sea levels, while ensuring the U.S. stays ahead of global competitors in this cutting-edge technology.
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Create Opportunities for Businesses
NASA’s investment in technology fuels innovation and creates new opportunities for U.S. industry.
For instance, the American space company Muon Space is using NASA-developed radar technology to turn GPS signals into powerful tools for tracking storms and floods. With a system that uses existing GPS satellites to do half the work, these American-designed receivers are compact and affordable enough to launch on small satellites.
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Protect Lives, Property, and the Economy
NASA’s technological innovations enable monitoring of hazards, such as wildfires, providing crucial data to help emergency responders and government officials safeguard lives and property and efficiently allocate resources during crises.
Through its innovative FireSense program, NASA is testing new ways to track and assess wildfires using specialized aircraft and with advanced sensors. These tools can help firefighters and emergency managers better understand and respond to fire threats.
Beyond fire monitoring, NASA-funded technology has also led to unexpected benefits, such as adapting space-based laser technology into a precise medical tool for removing kidney stones.
-
Create Opportunities for Businesses
NASA’s investment in technology fuels innovation and creates new opportunities for U.S. industry.
For instance, the American space company Muon Space is using NASA-developed radar technology to turn GPS signals into powerful tools for tracking storms and floods. With a system that uses existing GPS satellites to do half the work, these American-designed receivers are compact and affordable enough to launch on small satellites.
-
Protect Lives, Property, and the Economy
NASA’s technological innovations enable monitoring of hazards, such as wildfires, providing crucial data to help emergency responders and government officials safeguard lives and property and efficiently allocate resources during crises.
Through its innovative FireSense program, NASA is testing new ways to track and assess wildfires using specialized aircraft and with advanced sensors. These tools can help firefighters and emergency managers better understand and respond to fire threats.
Beyond fire monitoring, NASA-funded technology has also led to unexpected benefits, such as adapting space-based laser technology into a precise medical tool for removing kidney stones.
Featured Video
PACE’s Instruments Reveal a New Dimension of Atmospheric Info
Two instruments on NASA’s PACE satellite mission will look at aerosols and clouds – the A and C in the mission’s name, Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem – to help scientists learn more about their characteristics and interactions in Earth’s systems.
Learn more
Earth Science at Work,
a white paper
Earth Science to Action Strategy
Within a decade, we will advance and integrate Earth science knowledge to empower humanity to create a more resilient world.
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