Scientific Research & Development
Advancing Science One Discovery at a Time
Government agencies and institutions trust KBR with their most valuable, cutting-edge research and rely on us to push the boundaries of what is possible. Our experts address payload development, environmental monitoring and biology experiments to tackle some of the most important scientific challenges of our day.
Areas of Expertise
Life Science
Earth Science
Life Science
KBR pushes the boundaries of what can be done and where, reaching from the most remote places on Earth to the outer limits of space. We provide services that span biomedical work, atmospheric and environmental habitat monitoring, health science, human research and laboratory management. Customers rely on KBR to advance human performance, space medicine and Earth science.
KBR advances the understanding of human physiology and extreme environments through exhaustive research, training, medical care, scientific testing and technology development. We study how the human body adapts to forces such as microgravity and psychological stress. We develop and refine measures that counteract those pressures and prepare clients for the future of flight in air and in space.
We perform data analysis across a broad range of life sciences, including human spaceflight, occupational medicine and the effects of extreme aviation. We develop specialized hardware to assess fitness and conduct extensive performance and cognition testing in underwater submersion, high acceleration and other extreme environments. KBR’s scientists, medical professionals, technicians, mission payload developers and operations personnel conduct scientific research and applied studies in radiation biophysics, toxicology, immunology, neurosciences, nutrition and other fields. Some of this work takes place on the International Space Station (ISS). KBR follows its Zero Harm™ culture and recognizes the risks associated with these research activities. We develop countermeasures to minimize dangers to all living beings.
Earth Science
KBR has enabled the tracking of environmental monitoring, seismic activity and biological, chemical and nuclear threats for more than 30 years. The world’s top government agencies trust us to help watch and safeguard the most unpredictable environments and natural phenomena. Our scientists and engineers develop systems that identify hazardous weather and alert those in danger. They also maintain the Global Seismographic Network (GSN) to expand how we learn about Earth and protect the people who inhabit it.
KBR has worked with government agencies for the past 30 years, including NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to support Earth and planetary science and data processing, analysis and visualization operations.
KBR’s full spectrum of services covers solar and space plasma physics, astrophysics and astronomy, planetary studies, oceanography, seismology, geodynamics and solid Earth geophysics. We support the acquisition, archival, processing and distribution of remote-sensing data from satellites, which aids first responders, intelligence, agriculture, academia and research communities.
KBR is integral in the work for the USGS’s EROS Center, which oversees the study of land change and production of land change products used by researchers, resource managers and policy makers around the world. KBR develops and operates the EROS Landsat program’s ground system and maintains the largest civilian collection of images of the Earth’s land surface. Learn More: KBR Played a Key Role in the Successful Operation and Retirement of Landsat 7
John Clemenson Landsat Deputy Program Manager
"The space and related remote sensing technology transition across multiple platforms over the years is remarkable. The earliest spaceborne satellite missions dropped film in canisters that were parachuted down for specialized aircraft to catch mid-air. Then, there were the digital downlink and on-prem processing years, and now everything is moving to the cloud. We have amassed an enormous amount of data at the Earth Resources Observation and Science Center (EROS) — we're in excess of more than 10 PB of Landsat data—of the world's land masses. This is a very exciting journey, and I'm honored to represent our EROS TSSC team in being a part of this work."
Why KBR
KBR's accomplished team of scientists, physicians, technicians and operations personnel collaborates globally to support a range of scientific pursuits. We cover a broad spectrum of biology that includes neuroscience, nutrition, toxicology, immunology and radiation biophysics. Our expertise extends to more than 15 NASA and military laboratories, where we manage specialized test facilities and conduct applied biomedical research in space. We also provide essential support to key governmental organizations such as NASA's Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute, the Astrobiology Institute and the Aeronautics Research Institute. KBR's work with Landsat data informs critical decisions regarding wildlife habitat conservation, wildfire management and extreme weather events. Our biomedical experience includes clinical testing and science experiments in Antarctica, the International Space Station and Aquarius, the world's only underwater research station—as well as other complex locations.
For more than 30 years, KBR has enabled the tracking of environmental monitoring, seismic activity and biological, chemical and nuclear threats.
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M9511-2025-KBR-10-2025