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Skip to main content About USRA Menu Utility Nav About USRA Purpose, Mission, Values Governance & Leadership History Doing Business with USRA University Oversight News Contact Careers Educational Opportunities Fellowships Internships STEM K-12 USRA Scholarship Awards Close Capabilities /sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/discipline/image/Cover%20Image%202.NeutronStarMerger_Shot1_4KStill5_v01.jpg?itok=2fyOyn-n Astronomy & Astrophysics /sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/discipline/image/Helio.png?itok=wiGuGA-Z Heliophysics /sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/discipline/image/L%26P%20Orientale%20Basin.png?itok=JWknzoB0 Lunar and Planetary Science /sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/discipline/image/EarthScience.Mathewiss041e012113-orig.jpg?itok=WULx5mYO Earth Sciences /sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/discipline/image/9.%20%20D-Wave%202000Q%20close%20.jpg?itok=5ovp3kgm Computer Science and Information Technology /sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/discipline/image/Aeronautics3.png?itok=bJ-kbbgK Aeronautics Research /sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/discipline/image/MicrogravityMDCA2.jpg?itok=K01sW6lP Microgravity Sciences /sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/discipline/image/SpaceTech5.KSC-2011-7894-orig.jpg?itok=XRQwvhdc Space Technology /sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/discipline/image/RIACS3.jpg?itok=-5tOJf-- Science Facility Management and Operations /sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/discipline/image/er_088_35513361112_o.jpg?itok=kutWNamf Educational and Workforce Development Main navigation Educational Activities and Opportunities USRA Scholarship Awards Fellowships Internships STEM K-12 About USRA Purpose, Mission, Values Governance & Leadership History Doing Business with USRA EfSI 2019 Symposium EfSI Symposia © 2020 Universities Space Research Association 7178 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia, MD 21046 Footer Login for BOT & COI Terms of Use Privacy Policy For Employees Universities Space Research Association Advancing Knowledge Through Space Research Developing New Technologies Furthering STEM Education What we do In The News TRIDENT Mission Concept Led by USRA's Louise Prockter Among Four Selected by NASA's Discovery Program /sites/default/files/styles/discipline_home_floating/public/discipline/image/Cover%20Image%202.NeutronStarMerger_Shot1_4KStill5_v01.jpg?itok=4IJYrWEC Astronomy & Astrophysics /sites/default/files/styles/discipline_home_floating/public/discipline/image/Helio.png?itok=QcAVvXze Heliophysics /sites/default/files/styles/discipline_home_floating/public/discipline/image/L%26P%20Orientale%20Basin.png?itok=sBfbmJaB Lunar and Planetary Science /sites/default/files/styles/discipline_home_floating/public/discipline/image/EarthScience.Mathewiss041e012113-orig.jpg?itok=bbZ3urts Earth Sciences /sites/default/files/styles/discipline_home_floating/public/discipline/image/9.%20%20D-Wave%202000Q%20close%20.jpg?itok=Y3SImYMq Computer Science and Information Technology /sites/default/files/styles/discipline_home_floating/public/discipline/image/Aeronautics3.png?itok=ewNm9SmJ Aeronautics Research /sites/default/files/styles/discipline_home_floating/public/discipline/image/MicrogravityMDCA2.jpg?itok=mMKPDIdX Microgravity Sciences /sites/default/files/styles/discipline_home_floating/public/discipline/image/SpaceTech5.KSC-2011-7894-orig.jpg?itok=qK9r6YTO Space Technology /sites/default/files/styles/discipline_home_floating/public/discipline/image/RIACS3.jpg?itok=HQ1a-Gec Science Facility Management and Operations /sites/default/files/styles/discipline_home_floating/public/discipline/image/er_088_35513361112_o.jpg?itok=ZyZcRMi1 Educational and Workforce Development Astronomy & Astrophysics Learn More Heliophysics Learn More Lunar and Planetary Science Learn More Earth Sciences Learn More Computer Science and Information Technology Learn More Aeronautics Research Learn More Microgravity Sciences Learn More Space Technology Learn More Science Facility Management and Operations Learn More Educational and Workforce Development Learn More Stunning Discovery of Colliding Neutron Stars USRA was a key collaborator in the new gravitational wave discovery—the first detection by multiple space and ground-based observatories. Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) SOFIA is the an observatory which conducts observations that are impossible for even the largest and highest ground-based telescopes. HERTS Project The USRA Heliophysics Group supports the HERTS project—a development and testing effort for a system of electric wires that will exchange momentum with ions in the solar wind. Exploring the sun's atmosphere To explore the sun’s atmosphere, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe will travel closer to the sun than any other spacecraft. It will have to survive extreme environments that can affect its electronics and materials. GRAIL Observations Reveal Structure of Lunar Impact Basins Results from NASA’s Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory mission is providing insights into the huge impacts that dominated the early history of Earth’s moon and…. Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) For 50 years, under USRA’s management, the LPI has provided leadership to the scientific community for research in lunar, planetary and solar system sciences… Operation IceBridge Operation IceBridge is an ongoing airborne mission to assess the state of the Arctic and Antarctic ice sheets. USRA contributes in the operation of Digital Mapping System cameras and precision alitutude reference systems. Airborne Test of Instrument to Monitor World’s Ecosystems USRA operates Ames Airborne Sensor Facility to support NASA with sensor development, data collection, instrument engineering services and remote sensing instruments. Quantum Computer Advances with Each Generation Processor USRA operates a Quantum Artificial Intelligence Lab with NASA and Google resulting in research papers by USRA, NASA, Google and the University community. Research Institute for Advanced Computer Science Research staff undertake collaborative projects with research groups at NASA and elsewhere integrating computer sciences with other disciplines to support NASA. Helping Pilots “See” Through the Storm Visual cues that help pilots see during takeoff and landing are challenged during stormy or dusty conditions. USRA is developing technology that helps pilots see through storms. Flight Hardware Development & Instrumentation USRA scientists play key roles in the development for orbital and sub-orbital missions, deep space systems, and aircraft and high altitude platforms to support research. Cool Flames in Space USRA and its team completed the Multi-User Droplet Apparatus culminating in development of the Combustion Integrated Rack onboard the ISS for the Cool Flames Experiment. Fluid Physics and Complex Fluids The Advanced Colloids Experiment with Temperature Control (ACE-TI) using the Fluids and Combustion Facility (FCF) onboard the International Space Station was successfully completed. Electricity and Heat for Planetary Exploration USRA teams worked on a Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator, an enabling technology for many planetary missions, that keeps electronic circuits and mechanical joints functional. Cryogenic Fluid Management in Space USRA and its collaborators supported the development of reliable cryogenic fluid storage for use in propellant or life support systems necessary in space and planetary expeditions. Quantum Computer Advances with Each Generation Processor USRA operates a Quantum Artificial Intelligence Lab with NASA and Google resulting in research papers by USRA, NASA, Google and the University community. Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) SOFIA is the an observatory which conducts observations that are impossible for even the largest and highest ground-based telescopes. STEM Education Activities Throughout the past five decades, USRA h...