Abstract-Earth-Sun System activities within the National Aeronautics and Space Administration are science-driven and technology-enabled. NASA has developed a process for matching science needs and technologies that includes a set of notional mission concepts. This document1,2 summarizes the most recent output of that process: a notional set of science objectives, technology requirements, and measurement/mission concepts stretching beyond the time horizon of current plans. The materials can be a valuable resource in efforts to sketch out the future of Earth-Sun science and applications from space.

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This paper provides an overview of the active optical technology developments supporting the Earth Science Division at NASA. It summarizes key results from a multiyear NASA investment program aimed at enabling new Earth science measurement capabilities, and a special program focused upon developing new techniques in the 1-and 2-micron wavelengths and improving reliability and longevity of future NASA active sensing instruments. Examples for Earth Science measurements such as atmospheric composition, altimetry, wind profiles, ozone levels, and vegetation change are discussed.

NASA's Laser Risk Reduction Program, begun in 2002, has achieved many technology advances in only 3.5 years. The recent selection of several lidar proposals for Science and Exploration applications indicates that the LRRP goal of enabling future space-based missions by lowering the technology risk has already begun to be met.