From pixels to insight
We turn raw satellite and sensor data into reliable measurements of land, water, and change.
Earth observation, remote sensing, and geospatial science
Turning Earth-observation data into open, usable knowledge.
Kesterline Institute studies the Earth from above — using satellite and sensor data to map land, monitor environments, and support disaster response — and turns that data into open tools others can trust and reuse.
2013Established
73Researchers & staff
5Open toolkits
180+Datasets & briefs
Mission
Open eyes on a changing planet
Kesterline turns Earth-observation data into transparent, well-documented tools for environmental monitoring, land management, and disaster response — and works to make those tools open and reproducible.
For real decisions
We build tools for agencies and communities responding to floods, fires, and land-use change.
Open & reproducible
We document data, models, and uncertainty so results can be checked and reused.
Research areas
Where we focus
Our programs span earth observation, remote sensing, and geospatial science. Each area combines empirical study, open tools, and practical guidance.
Remote sensing methods
Calibration, fusion, and analysis of optical, radar, and thermal imagery.
Land cover & change
Mapping land use and detecting change over time at scale.
Water & environment
Monitoring water, vegetation, and ecosystems from space and sensors.
Disaster response mapping
Rapid mapping to support flood, fire, and hazard response.
Geospatial data science
Scalable pipelines, machine learning, and reproducible geospatial workflows.
Uncertainty & validation
Ground-truthing and error characterization so maps can be trusted.
Recent work
Publications & outputs
Reports, briefs, and field studies from our centers and fellows.
2016
Calibrating for Confidence
Why sensor calibration and validation determine whether maps can be trusted.
2019
Open Land-Change Toolkit
A documented, open workflow for detecting land-use change over time.
2021
Rapid Flood Mapping in Practice
Lessons from producing flood maps quickly during real events.
See your region more clearly
Collaborate with Kesterline researchers on environmental monitoring, land, and disaster-response projects.