Abstract

We describe a program to support the development of GMT and TMT instrumentation capable of direct imaging and spectroscopic characterization of potentially habitable exoplanets orbiting nearby stars. A focus of the validation effort is to leverage existing facilities to support on-sky validation of promising new technologies and approaches. *The material contained in this document is based upon work supported by a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) grant or cooperative agreement. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of NASA.