Discipline Ideas

It may be most obvious how physics, astronomy, robotics, and even math are useful at NASA. But what about the other life and physical sciences? Explore below to see how other disciplines contribute to the goals of NASA.

Biological Sciences
Space Biology program at NASA

Areas of NASA Ames ingenuity: Biology and Astrobiology

NASA Biology research projects to support Moon and Mars exploration:
- Microbiology studies that will produce new understanding to augment and expand our knowledge of the Microbiology of the Built Environment (MoBE) in Space.
- Plant Biology studies in support of Human Space Exploration making maximal use of the capabilities on the space station to study environmental effects on plant growth and interactions with microbes and fungi.
- Animal Biology studies (vertebrate and invertebrate) in support of human space exploration.
- Studies designed to compare results and validity of microgravity "simulators" in parallel flight and ground-based studies.
Chemical Sciences

How NASA has contributed to Chemisrty

Chemistry's Role in Space Travel

Astrochemisry at NASA

Atmospheric Chemistry and Dynamics Laboratory at NASA

Toxicology and Environmental Chemistry at NASA

Alternative Solvents through Green Chemistry project at NASA

Green propellant Infusion mission
Geography

Earth Data at NASA

NASA studies climate change by looking at Earth from Space

Explore Earth: all the ways NASA is looking at Earth from Space
Geological Sciences

Planetary, Geology, Geophysics and Geochemisty Laboratory at NASA

BSU students have looked at Lunar quakes, for example.
Photonics and Optical Engineering

Optics and Photonics branch at NASA

NASA Selects intrgrated photonics projects

Photonics Dawning as the Communications Light For Evolving NASA Missions

Silicon Photonics for Space Communications

Integrated Photonics for Adaptive Discrete Multi-carrier Space-based Optical Communication and Ranging

Integrated photonics for NASA Applications