Science Systems and Applications Inc. has provided scientific and engineering support to NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for more than four decades.
With an earth science mission, the Maryland-based company plans to expand its horizons by seeking contracts with other government organizations and the private sector.
Science Systems opened a new office near NASA Langley Research Center in the research campus at 100 Exploration Way in Hampton on Jan. 11. The opening ceremony highlighted its work with education and outreach, engineering, science and artificial intelligence.
The company had closed its previous Hampton office in May after its contract with NASA Langley ended last year. The contract was awarded to Analytical Mechanics Associates in Hampton, who hired the Science Systems employees, SSAI Chief Strategy Officer Chris Williamson said. Despite losing the contract, the company has no plans to depart the area.
“We are not packing up and leaving Hampton Roads. We have a footprint here and plan to leverage that,” he said. “We are still in Hampton doing high-level science and engineering.”
Om and Sara Bahethi founded Science Systems and Applications and built the business with NASA and NOAA contracts. In the 1970s, the company developed photochemical models to study high-altitude ozone means and variances from sensors onboard NASA’s Nimbus satellite. The first contract with NOAA was in the 1980s when SSAI staff developed environmental data products from satellites. The company is now led by CEO Shilpa Bahethi, who is an anesthesiologist, and President Praveen Bahethi.
In an effort to thrive as a government contractor, Science Systems aims to diversify its business portfolio. It plans to bid on contracts with such organizations as the Department of Defense, National Institutes of Health, Environmental Protection Agency and private-sector companies, Williamson said.
As an example of its branching out, the company recently landed a contract with Los Angeles World Airports to provide information technology and cyber security support, he said.
While the company looks to expand its client base, it plans to continue its work for NASA. Williamson said with about 700 people, the company is the second-largest contractor at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.
“And we have about 600 Ph.D.-level scientists,” he added.
For Hampton Roads, Williamson said the company can provide data points and analysis for such weather events as hurricanes. Having advance data can help government officials and businesses prepare for an emergency response, he noted.
The company is conducting research into sea-level rise and ways to mitigate it, Williamson said.
“There’s a saying, ‘Listen to the science.’ That science is data, which tells us to prepare for protection of our ozone to ensure our air quality,” he said. “The science data is telling us how to prepare for weather events. We want to make our technology available to Hampton Roads for the long-term.”
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