Program areas at Universities Space Research Association
Nasa academic mission services (nams) contract to deliver new concepts, tools and technologies related to aeronautics, science and aero flight dynamics. This five-year agreement for a $193 million award launches an integrated multi-year Research effort to be conducted at nasa's ames Research center, which ranges from fundamental Research and development through field test deployments and operational science missions.
Stratospheric observatory for infrared astronomy (sofia): sofia is an airborne observatory that studies the universe in the infrared spectrum. Besides this contribution to science progress, sofia is a major factor in the development of observational techniques, of new instrumentations, and in the education of young scientists and teachers in the discipline of infrared astronomy. Sofia flies into the stratosphere, opens the telescope cavity door, and points its telescope at the heavens most nights a week in this decade and the next.
Education programs (eap & epo): the education program's office primarily supports nasa's efforts to expand educational opportunities for students in aerospace engineering and the Space sciences, as well as encouraging young students to stay in school and pursue careers in science, engineering, and business.
Gestar stands for goddard earth sciences technology and Research. Its scope cuts across earth science disciplines and includes atmospheric studies, hydrology, ocean and climate Research. To facilitate experimental, analytical and theoretical Research in support of nasa's strategic earth and Space science objectives.nasa postdoctoral program (npp), a prestigious, national-level effort supporting all nasa mission directorates and centers. Npp awards fellowships to highly qualified postdoctoral scientists and engineers, enabling them to conduct Research and participate in nasa mission activities at various locations. The npp is a vital means by which nasa identifies and engages talented early-career scientists. It also provides an important pipeline for developing the nasa workforce needed for future challenges. Dr. jeffrey a. isaacson, usra president and ceo, commented, "achieving nasa's goals for the npp requires an organization with longstanding nasa relationships, insight into Research projects as they relate to nasa's missions and long-term objectives, and strong connections to the university Research community. Usra is ideally suited for this important charge. "Research institute for advanced computer science (riacs): the riacs is focused on developing the next generation enabling technologies that will facilitate both human and robotic Space exploration. Since its inception in 1983, the institute has conducted basic and applied computer science Research across a variety of aerospace-related disciplines, including supercomputing, computational fluid dynamics, computational chemistry, high-performance networking, and artificial intelligence.lunar & planetary institute (lpi): supports nasa's Research in lunar, planetary, and related scientific fields. The institute is a center for lunar and planetary science, conducting Research studies on the formation, evolution, and current state of the moon, planets, comets, asteroids, planetary satellites, cosmic dust, and our solar system as a whole through analysis of data and samples obtained through nasa's long history of missions and exploration, service to nasa and the planetary science community. The institute coordinates scientific meetings on lunar and planetary topics, and disseminates scientific information through technical journals and conferences, including an abstract database of more than 25,000 presentations made by scientists at lpi-sponsored meetings. The institute also curates an extensive collection of lunar and planetary data that is accessible online.national Space science and technology center (nsstc): the division of earth sciences supports nasa's Research to seek a better understanding of the global hydrologic cycle and its interaction with climate variability. Usra is assisting with the integration of Research programs with the educational needs of climate and global change science curricula at the college and pre-college levels to communicate the importance and challenges relating to the interactions of the hydrologic cycle with climate and climate variability.exploration systems technology Research supports Research for nasa glenn Research center's exploration systems (ncser): technology development programs and provides support for iss microgravity Research. This program involves the development of enabling technologies for Space exploration with emphasis on reduced gravity applications of fluids systems and fire safety and performs critical path Research in fluids and combustion in support of nasa's Space exploration program and related national initiatives.earth from Space institute (efsi), focused on supporting the development of long-term strategies for environmental sustainability and climate action has been established.center for Space nuclear Research (csnr): the csnr is operated by usra in collaboration with the Idaho national laboratory (inl). The csnr is a focus for engaging university scientists in Research and development of advanced Space nuclear systems, including Space power and propulsion systems and radioisotope power generators.