Amendment 1 is the release of final text for the In-Space Validation of Earth Science Technologies (InVEST) program.

There has been and continues to be a need for new technologies and measurement concepts to be validated in space prior to use in a science mission. This is necessary because the space environment imposes stringent conditions on components and systems, some of which cannot be fully tested on the ground or in airborne systems. The In-Space Validation of Earth Science Technologies (InVEST) program element is intended to fill that gap. Validation of Earth science technologies in space will help reduce the risk of new technologies in future Earth science missions. No funding is available for research and development of new technology. This program only funds advancing technology readiness by space flight demonstration and validation to reduce risk to future missions. The details of this program are described below.
 
This NASA Earth Science Technology Office (ESTO) solicitation is focused on in-space, orbital demonstration and validation only. Airborne, balloon, or sounding rocket flight validations are expressly excluded. Selected technologies and measurement concepts will only be those that require validation in space. Only instruments, instrument subsystems, onboard processing, or other relevant information system technologies that can make or advance the technology to enable relevant Earth science measurements will be accepted; only complete subsystems will be accepted. Complete subsystems shall have a well-defined interface to the spacecraft bus. Spacecraft bus technologies are excluded.
 
Mandatory Notices of Intent  are due by March 27, 2015, and proposals are due by May 29, 2015.
 
Questions concerning this program element may be directed to:
 
Pamela Millar at pamela.s.millar@nasa.gov