Space Systems

EVA Systems

JSC features world class facilities and competencies to support the design, development, testing and verification, and implementation of Extravehicular Activity (EVA) systems. JSC personnel have a vast knowledge of the technical challenges associated with space suit technology, ranging from mobility, sizing, and life support, to ventilation, hydration, and waste management.

In-Situ Resource Utilization 

JSC is actively involved in further research and development of ISRU  technologies that enable the extraction and utilization of resources such as water, oxygen, and other elements available in extraterrestrial environments. We specialize in system engineering and integration of ISRU systems and modeling of complex chemical processes, regolith excavation and transfer systems, and thermal conversion systems while focusing on the interactions between them.

Rovers

JSC rover and mobility systems experts lead the design and development of electric vehicles tailored for both extra-planetary and terrestrial surface mobility. The team addresses the challenges of off-road use in extreme environments, and dormant periods in crewed planetary missions, proposing, designing, and testing robotic concepts to enable exploration.

Surface Habitats

JSC is a world leader in design, development, testing and verification, of habitability systems utilized to prepare crewmembers to work comfortably and safely in space. JSC covers the full hardware life cycle spectrum of engineering space hardware from defining the problem, to research and design, rapid prototyping and development, to testing and operational support.

Orbital Space Stations 

From the SVMF for training and operational assessments, to advanced robotics testing and human engineering expertise, JSC has diverse capabilities critical for the design, development, testing, integration, deployment and operation of orbital space stations.

Robotics ​ 

JSC provides research, engineering, development, integration and testing of robotic hardware and software technologies for robotic systems applications in support of human spaceflight. Advanced robotic systems technology efforts include both remotely controlled robots for space and terrestrial application and intelligent robotics for high value functionality.

Surface Infrastructure

JSC is at the forefront of enabling a sustained human presence on the lunar surface (and one day Mars) through its development of surface infrastructure, including habitats, life support systems, power generation and storage systems, communication systems, surface transportation, resource utilization, research and medical science instruments, and processes, training and procedures to operate these systems.

Integrated Vehicle Performance ​

With expertise and capabilities in mission design, detailed end-to-end trajectory optimization, high performance computing and data analytics, mission management product analysis, metrics production, and mission trades, JSC is shaping the future of space exploration missions.

Simulation & Modeling  

JSC possesses a wide range of modeling and simulation capabilities, including: integrated simulations of missions, simulation architecture for mission training, a range of simulation environments, virtual reality training for astronauts, power system verification, electromagnetic analysis, communication systems, computational electromagnetics, thermal analysis, coupled loads analysis, dynamic systems testing, and specialized areas like decompression sickness research and management.

Assembly & Integration

At the Johnson Space Center, we offer advanced facilities and expertise ready to support almost every aspect of spacecraft development. Staffed by expert technicians and engineers, our facilities include cutting-edge clean rooms, fully equipped high bays, onsite manufacturing, and spacecraft testing facilities that provide the ideal environment for spacecraft assembly and seamless integration.