Exploration Science

As NASA seeks to explore the Moon and beyond to unlock groundbreaking science, our exploration personnel—comprised of geologists, planetary scientists, aerospace engineers, Geographic Information System specialists, and computational scientists—provide services for current and future planetary missions.

We deliver assessments of current and future planetary missions, instruments, landing sites, and surface operations. Mission services include planning, operations, science team participation, instrument services, data analysis, and sample preparation and analysis. We also conduct laboratory and field tests to assess science instruments under mission relevant conditions. Field science and operations services include analog mission operations, data management systems, and crew training. Current missions our scientists are involved in include Mars Exploration Rover; Mars Science Laboratory; Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx); Mars 2020; and NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO).