What Does Universities Space Research Association Do?

Total employees750+
HeadquartersColumbia
Founded1969

Universities Space Research Association (USRA) is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) research corporation where the combined efforts of in-house talent and university-based expertise merge to advance knowledge in space science, aeronautics, and other related disciplines. USRA works to connect the university research community to NASA and other government agencies, fostering collaboration and innovation in areas critical to national science and technology priorities. Its programs span a wide range of scientific and technical fields, including astrophysics, planetary science, Earth science, biosciences, and engineering.

Where Is Universities Space Research Association's Headquarters?

Universities Space Research Association officeUniversities Space Research Association officeUniversities Space Research Association officeUniversities Space Research Association office
*Images sourced via web search. Rights belong to original owners

HQ Function

The headquarters serves as the central administrative, strategic planning, and leadership hub for USRA, overseeing its diverse research programs, university consortia, and collaborations with government agencies and industry partners.

Notable Features:

Modern office facility within the Columbia Gateway corporate park, designed to facilitate efficient management, collaboration, and support for USRA's distributed research activities.

Work Culture:

A collaborative, mission-driven, and intellectually stimulating environment that bridges academic research with governmental scientific objectives. Emphasis on scientific integrity, innovation, and service to the research community.

HQ Significance:

Its location offers strategic proximity to Washington D.C., NASA Headquarters, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, and other federal agencies, facilitating close partnerships and responsiveness to national science and technology priorities.

Values Reflected in HQ: The headquarters' operational efficiency and strategic location reflect USRA's commitment to scientific excellence, responsible stewardship of research programs, and effective collaboration between academia and government.

Location:

While USRA's primary operations and physical offices are within the United States, strategically co-located with NASA centers, its scientific impact and collaborations are global. USRA researchers actively participate in international scientific projects, engage with research institutions worldwide, contribute to and attend international conferences, and support global scientific missions and datasets. The nature of its research in Earth science, astrophysics, planetary science, and climate studies inherently involves global cooperation and addresses worldwide challenges.

Street Address:

7178 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite 400

City:

Columbia

State/Province:

Maryland

Country:

USA

Where Else Does Universities Space Research Association Operate Around the World?

Huntsville, Alabama, USA

Address: c/o UAH, 320 Sparkman Drive, National Space Science and Technology Center (NSSTC), Suite 4063, Huntsville, AL 35805

To facilitate direct collaboration with NASA MSFC and the vibrant aerospace and research community in Huntsville, a key hub for space exploration and technology development.

Mountain View, California, USA

Address: NASA Ames Research Park, Building 19, Room 2007, Moffett Field, CA 94035

To leverage the innovation ecosystem of Silicon Valley and maintain close operational ties with NASA Ames for cutting-edge research and development in advanced computing and space sciences.

Houston, Texas, USA

Address: Lunar and Planetary Institute, 3600 Bay Area Blvd, Houston, TX 77058-1113

To serve as a premier national resource for planetary science, support NASA's human and robotic exploration programs, manage scientific data, and engage in public outreach and education.

Buying Intent Signals for Universities Space Research Association

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Notable news
Hiring actively
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
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*Example signal, not calculated in real time

Who's Leading Universities Space Research Association? Meet the Executive Team

As of April 2025, Universities Space Research Association' leadership includes:

Dr. Jeffrey A. Isaacson - President and Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Ghassem R. Asrar - Senior Vice President, Science
Bernard (Bernie) Seery - Senior Vice President, Technology
William (Bill) D'Huique - Chief Financial Officer and Vice President, Finance and Administration
Joan R. S. Rentsch, Ph.D. - Vice President, Human Resources and Corporate Secretary
Michael K. Moloney, Ph.D., J.D. - Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel

Who's Investing in Universities Space Research Association?

Universities Space Research Association has been backed by several prominent investors over the years, including:

U.S. Government Agencies (e.g., NASA, NSF, DoD, DoE)
University Research Grants and Contracts
Private Foundations and Philanthropic Contributions (for specific programs)
Industry Partnerships (collaborative research)

What Leadership Changes Has Universities Space Research Association Seen Recently?

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In the past 12 months, USRA has seen key appointments to lead its specialized research institutes, such as RIACS. These director-level appointments are significant for the organization's operational and scientific leadership. No changes to the core C-suite or VP-level executive team (as listed in 'Executive Team') have been publicly announced during this period.

New Appointments:

Dr. Scott Dorenbusch, Dr. Scott Dorenbusch appointed to lead USRA's RIACS, bringing extensive experience in high-performance computing and computational sciences to enhance the institute's research portfolio.

What Technology (Tech Stack) Is Used byUniversities Space Research Association?

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Universities Space Research Association Email Formats and Examples

The most common email format used by Universities Space Research Association (USRA) is the first initial followed by the last name, using the @usra.edu domain.

[first_initial][last]@usra.edu

Format

jdoe@usra.edu

Example

90%

Success rate

What's the Latest News About Universities Space Research Association?

USRA NewsMay 22, 2024

USRA's Dr. David Kring Honored with 2024 Michael J. Wargo Award

Dr. David Kring, a senior staff scientist at USRA's Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI), has been selected by NASA to receive the 2024 Michael J. Wargo Exploration Science Award for his significant contributions to integrating exploration and planetary science throughout his career....more

USRA NewsMay 2, 2024

USRA Selects 2024 Distinguished Undergraduate Scholars

Universities Space Research Association (USRA) proudly announces its 2024 cohort of Distinguished Undergraduate Scholars. These awards are granted to students for their academic excellence and compelling research proposals in aerospace engineering, space science, and related disciplines....more

USRA NewsApril 10, 2024

USRA Scientists Uncover Youngest Known Magnetic Field on Mars

A team of scientists, including researchers from USRA, has identified evidence of the youngest known localized magnetic field on Mars. This discovery, published in a recent scientific journal, provides new insights into the Red Planet's geological evolution and ancient environment....more

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