Space Systems (OSS)

We develop, integrate, and apply new and established technologies to meet the challenges of working in space and other harsh environments.

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Photo Credit: NASA

Agile Innovators

Ideally located near Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, Oceaneering Space Systems (OSS) has provided NASA, the U.S. Department of Defense, their contractors, and commercial launch vehicle providers with space flight hardware systems and equipment for more than 35 years.

We complete turnkey design, development, manufacturing, certification, maintenance, testing,

and sustaining engineering for space-based robotics and automation, satellite servicing, human space flight systems, and thermal protection systems.

Our specialized engineering services and highly technical manufacturing capabilities enable us to execute projects with an uncompromised focus on safety, product, and mission assurance.

Robotics and Automation

Automate Operations to Increase Safety and Efficiency
We increase productivity and efficiency of operations, enable new capabilities and operations in the field, and minimize human exposure to hazards by integrating robotic and automated technical solutions.

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Satellite Servicing

Increasing the Efficiency of In-Space Operations
We understand the complexities involved with satellite servicing challenges and use innovative, pragmatic approaches to deliver turnkey solutions to repair faulty satellites and eliminate costly downtime.

We use our engineering expertise and experience to develop specialized solutions for in-space tools and systems. Our systems enable robotic servicing spacecraft to approach and capture satellites in orbit to repair, refuel, or add new capabilities before returning it to service.

We are currently working on the development of a new generation of unmanned robotic systems for the servicing of satellites for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA’s) Robotics Servicing of Geosynchronous Satellites (RSGS) programs, including the robotic tool changer.

Human Space Flight Systems

We are a world leader in designing, manufacturing, testing, and maintaining equipment for human space flight activities, and training astronauts in its use. Our space suits, life support technology, and space station extravehicular activity (EVA) equipment sustaining engineering are trusted solutions for critical operations.

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Thermal Protection Systems

Protect Critical, Sensitive Components
We provide turnkey thermal protection system (TPS) development, manufacturing, testing, installation, and sustaining engineering services to NASA, the U.S. Department of Defense, their contractors, and commercial launch vehicle providers.

You can benefit from our extensive experience and one-stop-shop capabilities. We deliver mission-critical components used in the full range of TPS applications.

  • High-temperature fabrics and heat shields
  • Cork and foam ablators
  • Flexible thermal curtains and thermal insulation
  • Ceramics used in various space launch and reentry operations

Trust us to develop the initial TPS requirements based on launch and reentry conditions, complete the preliminary and final designs, and carry out analysis and system integration testing. Our fabrication capabilities are supported by our ability to test and certify components, and to complete installations to meet your requirements.

Specialty Engineering and Manufacturing Services

Understanding of critical components and complex operations enables us to offer a range of specialty engineering and manufacturing services. We provide systems engineering and integration (SE&I) and engineering analysis including finite element analysis, thermal analysis, and materials and processes (M&P) analysis tailored to meet project-specific needs.

Safety, Product, and Mission Assurance

OSS holds ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certifications. Our execution of complex projects for NASA, other government agencies, and the commercial sector has won us a number of distinctive awards including NASA’s George M. Low Award for Quality.

Our Product Assurance department oversees the management of our certified quality management system (QMS). The department provides quality engineering, quality inspection, system safety, reliability, availability and maintainability engineering, and configuration and data management services.

Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL)

Reduce Operational Risk, Lower Project Costs, and Improve Safety
From space to subsea, the NBL supports a wide range of commercial training, testing, and practice operations. By leveraging our extensive background in underwater operations, we ensure that operations are designed and executed safely and efficiently.
Once exclusively reserved for astronaut training for the Space Shuttle program, the NASA-owned laboratory now hosts training activities, systems integration tests (SITs), tool tests, and rehearsals of processes and procedures for projects prior to commencement.
NBL Facilities

The 6.2-million-gallon pool and 72,000-ft² high bay offer full oversight of testing and training operations in a controlled, secure environment.

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VideoRay Training

We offer an ROV piloting training and certification course through VideoRay—the world's most popular small underwater ROV manufacturer.

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Contact Us | Space Systems (OSS)

Company page Since our founding in the early 1960s, Oceaneering has expanded and grown globally to service several industries such as the offshore energy industry, defense, entertainment, material handling, aerospace, science, and renewable energy industries. In 1964, Mike Hughes and Johnny Johnson formed a Gulf of Mexico diving company called World Wide Divers. The company grew in response to increasing demand for their services and in 1969 merged with two other diving companies to form Oceaneering International, Inc. To solve the toughest challenges, we do things differently, creatively, and smarter. As your trusted partner, our unmatched experience and truly innovative portfolio of technologies and solutions give us the flexibility to adapt and evolve, regardless of market conditions. Our mission is to solve the unsolvable. We thrive by creating industry-changing technically creative solutions for the most complex operational challenges under water, on land, and in space. Our five core values establish a common culture and demonstrate what is most important for us as a company. Since the beginning, the company has transformed from a small regional diving company into a global provider of engineered products and services. Today, we develop products and services for use throughout the lifecycle of an offshore oilfield, from drilling to decommissioning. We operate the world's premier fleet of work class ROVs. Additionally, we are a leader in offshore oilfield maintenance services, umbilicals, subsea hardware, and tooling. We also serve the aerospace, defense, and theme park industries. Underpinning everything we do, safety is not only the foundation of our core values, but it is vital to our unmatched performance record and company culture. The industries we serve are as diverse as they are complex. Whether we are engineering deepwater umbilicals or developing robotics for aerospace applications, the safety and health of our employees, vendors, and customers is an integral part of our day-to-day business. If we are working, then our responsibility is to be working safely. Since our inception in 1964, we have placed a high value on employee safety—from diving services and subsea inspection to vessel-based installation operations. We have and will continue to evolve not only our health, safety, and environmental (HSE) processes, but those of the industries in which we work. Although we have been fatality-free since 1999, our HSE journey goes beyond statistics. As our portfolio of services has grown, we have continued to prioritize and advance our approach to HSE.