METECS

METECS is the trade name of MacLean Engineering & Applied Technologies, LLC, an engineering and applied technology company founded in 2003 and headquartered at 1030 Hercules Ave. in Houston, Texas, close to NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC). The company specializes in high-fidelity simulation, flight and mission software, robotics and systems analysis, and states that it supports NASA programs including the International Space Station (ISS), Orion, EHP, the Human Landing System, Lunar Gateway and Artemis. President John MacLean leads the firm.

Robotics is one of METECS's core engineering practices. According to the company, its engineers support software development for the Valkyrie humanoid robot, Robonaut 2 and the Autonomous Systems and Operations (ASO) project at JSC, using the Robot Operating System (ROS) to extend robot capabilities. The work includes motion-planning algorithms for manipulation, machine learning for computer vision and grasp planning, and application-level software for robot operation and control. METECS also models and controls robotic and active motion systems, covering coordinated motion control, servo control and constrained-motion scenarios, and performs multibody dynamics analysis of robotic scenarios such as spacecraft servicing and interaction with flexible structures. Examples cited by the company include servo control for prototype exploration exercise devices such as MED-2 and coordinated control of the Active Vibration Isolation System technology project.

On the space-systems side, METECS builds simulations that span concept development, engineering analysis, integration and test, verification, training and operations. Listed capabilities include integrated multibody and orbital dynamics, planetary terrain and vehicle-surface interaction, orbital proximity operations and docking, robotics and articulated mechanisms, real-time human- and hardware-in-the-loop integration, digital twins and immersive XR visualization. The team works with NASA simulation frameworks such as Trick, JEOD, EDGE, DUST and MBDyn, and develops avionics and mission-support flight software, including applications on NASA's Core Flight System (cFS).

NASA contracts anchor this work. In 2014 NASA selected MacLean Engineering & Applied Technologies for a $49.7 million IDIQ contract (release C14-009) covering simulation model development for robotics platforms at JSC, including in-orbit robotic manipulator systems, advanced future robotic systems and guidance, navigation and control (GN&C) of space vehicles for all flight phases including rendezvous. In July 2025 NASA awarded the company the single-award Simulation and Advanced Software Services II (SASS II) IDIQ contract, running from October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2030 with a maximum value of $150 million. SASS II covers simulation and software for space-based vehicle models and robotic manipulator systems, human biomechanical models for countermeasure devices, GN&C for all flight phases, on-board computer and flight-software simulation, surface-interaction simulation, graphics for engineering analysis, and human-in-the-loop training systems. Tietronix Software Inc. of Houston and VEDO Systems, LLC of League City, Texas are major subcontractors.

Beyond spaceflight, METECS applies its simulation, virtual and augmented reality, virtual equipment training, CAN bus testing and 3D content capabilities for customers in energy, agriculture, education and construction.