Human Exploration Science Office provides communication and coordination between the scientific community and HQ Exploration Systems and Space Operations Mission Directorates` planners and technologists. It is responsible for ensuring that human mission planning will benefit from the best space scientific research and data available including providing astronauts, mission specialists, flight controllers, and others with intensive focused training in astromaterials, astrobiology, and Earth and planetary science. Included within this office are the disciplines of space debris, Earth science, image science and analysis, and exploration planning.

NASA/JSC is the lead NASA center for orbital debris research and is recognized worldwide for its leadership in addressing orbital debris issues. The orbital debris research team has taken the international lead in conducting measurements of the environment and in developing the technical consensus for adopting mitigation measures to protect users of the orbital environment. Work at the Center continues with developing an improved understanding of the orbital debris environment and measures that can be taken to control its growth. In addition, the Hypervelocity Impact Test Facility (HITF) was founded in 1980 with a mandate to study hypervelocity impact characteristics of composite materials. HITF provides expertise to design effective shielding for spacecraft and to evaluate the risk posed by debris and meteoroids.

The Image Science and Analysis Group (IS&AG) performs engineering image analysis in support of the Space Shuttle, ISS, , and other NASA programs. This group evolved into its current incarnation after the investigation of the STS-51L Challenger accident, and its continued existence fulfills one of the lessons learned of the accident investigation. The value of the IS&AG was reaffirmed after the Columbia accident. Investigations conducted by the IS&AG were critical in determining the cause of the accident. The IS&AG again showed it?s importance to human space flight through support to the STS-114 Return to Flight mission, identifying both debris sources and locations of potential damage. The primary areas of expertise within this group include: static 2D and 3D measurements, high-resolution motion tracking, detailed surveys and monitoring of external vehicle conditions, and thorough imagery screening (film, video and electronic).

The Earth science group is responsible for aspects of crew training, mission support, and image cataloguing. Astronaut crews are given training in scientific observation of geological, oceanographic, environmental and meteorological phenomena as well as photographic techniques and equipment. Real-time mission support is provided for ISS activities involving Earth observations. This photography of the Earth provides scientists with a valuable tool in studying our planet. These Earth observation photos document the changes in the Earth`s atmosphere, complement meteorological satellite data, monitor environmental changes, and provide updated geologic data for maps. The repository of Earth observation photos is maintained on a publicly available web site, which attracts 10 to 20 million visits per month.