The Universities Space Research Association (USRA) is an independent, nonprofit research corporation where the combined efforts of in-house talent and university-based expertise merge to advance space science and technology.

USRA works across disciplines including biomedicine, planetary science, astrophysics, and engineering and integrates those competencies into applications ranging from fundamental research to facility management and operations. USRA engages the creativity and authoritative expertise of the research community to develop and deliver sophisticated, forward-looking solutions to Federal agencies and other customers - on schedule and within budget.

USRA provides a mechanism through which universities can cooperate effectively with one another, with the government, and with other organizations to further space science and technology, and to promote education in these areas. Its mission is carried out through the institutes, centers, divisions, and programs. Administrative and scientific personnel now number about 420. A unique feature of USRA’s management is its system of standing panels of technical experts, drawn from the research community, to provide oversight for USRA’s institutes, centers, divisions and programs.

The BRRISON mission is an unprecedented rapid response to the opportunity presented by the discovery of comet ISON, providing a new planetary science platform which will fly above 99.5 percent of the atmosphere within one year of this discovery. It is the first NASA Planetary Science Division balloon mission to observe a comet.

The Comet ISON was discovered in September 2012, and is of great interest to scientists as it may hold clues to the formation of the solar system. The comet is believed to be making its first ever visit to the inner solar system.

Before the comet's close approach to the Sun in late November 2013, NASA will launch a special stratospheric balloon – the Balloon Rapid Response for ISON (BRRISON) – carrying a 0.8 m telescope and optical and infrared sensors to study the comet from above nearly all of Earth's atmosphere. The atmosphere is opaque at the light wavelengths that scientists want BRRISON to measure, which means those measurements are not possible from the ground. BRRISON will observe Comet ISON in the near-infrared and in the near-ultraviolet and visible wavelength ranges at an altitude of 120,000 feet. The near infrared camera will measure the ratio of carbon dioxide (CO2) to water (H2O) emissions from the cometary nuclei as a vital diagnostic of the comet's origins. These are unique observations that cannot be obtained by any other means. The near ultraviolet and visible camera will observe at the wavelength of the hydroxyl (OH) emission from Comet ISON and will test and characterize the effects of atmospheric turbulence on optical observations at balloon altitudes.

The Center for Radiation Engineering and Science for Space Exploration (CRESSE), a NASA University Research Center (URC) at Prairie View A&M University, uses its core intellectual, academic and physical infrastructure to thoroughly investigate the scientific and engineering challenges of space radiation.

Such radiation acutely impacts the national efforts to someday safely return scientists, engineers and explorers to such space destinations as near earth asteroids (NEAs), Mars and beyond. 

The prime objective of CRESSE is to merge new materials and technology into innovative radiation shielding systems that will keep critical electronic and scientific instruments and astronauts safe from harmful radiation during future robotic and human missions in deep space.

Through September 2013, CRESSE research will focus on reliability issues during future NASA lunar and Martian missions relating to the dependability of space flight instrumentation and the health and safety of astronauts. Currently (Sept 2013), the CRESSE research goal concentrates on the development of multiple testbeds designed to simulate planetary surfaces so that realistic space and radiation experiments can be created on Earth using these proton and neutron beam facilities.

CRESSE works to maximize the Technical Readiness Level (TRL) of radiation instrumentation for human and robotic missions, optimizing the return value of CRESSE for NASA exploration. The outcomes and knowledge enhance a variety of science and engineering disciplines vital for the safety and reliability of future space exploration missions that could be negatively impacted by various space radiation environments.

CRESSE research has the potential to significantly impact other high profile areas including medicine, national defense, homeland security and energy production. Studies and lessons learned hold promise for future collaborations with the National Institute of Health, the Department of Energy, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Department of Homeland Security.

Five core CRESSE researchers represent some of the nation's foremost scientists in the fields of:

• Space Radiation Environment Modeling
• Radiation Transport Modeling
• Space Radiation Instrumentation and Dosimetry
• Space Radiation Effects on Electronics

Space Finance Group is dedicated to connecting companies, institutions and entrepreneurs involved in commercial space and space development with forward-looking individual investors and institutions. The company was founded after discussions and planning over several years, by our team who got together at the 2012 International Space Development Conference to define the structure of the company.

Our Vision
Provide capital solutions for commercial development and human expansion in space.

Mission

• Build the financial foundations of the emerging space economy.
• Lead in financial and management services for space development companies.
• Enable the public to become stakeholders in the success of space development.

The Astro Space Center is a Russian organisation conducting fundamental researches in astrophysics, including cosmology, structure and evolution of astronomical objects, interstellar and interplanatary medium.

The Astro Space Center is developing new ground and space astronomical systems to study the Universe in different ranges of electromagneric spectrum.

the Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI), a NASA institute, fosters collaborations within and among competitively selected domestic teams, the broader lunar science community, and multiple international partners in order to:

• Conduct basic and applied research fundamental to lunar and planetary sciences while advancing human exploration of the solar system,
• Conduct and catalyze collaborative research in lunar and planetary science, enabling cross-disciplinary partnerships throughout the science and exploration communities,
• Provide scientific, technical, and mission-relevant analyses for appropriate NASA programs, planning, and space missions as requested by NASA,
• Explore innovative ways of using information technology for scientific collaboration and information dissemination across geographic and contextual boundaries to stimulate inter- and cross-discipline research,
• Train the next generation of scientific explorers through research opportunities, and encourage global education and public outreach (EPO) through formal education, informal programs, and participatory public events.

RIKEN is a large natural sciences research institute in Japan.

Founded in 1917, it now has approximately 3000 scientists on seven campuses across Japan, the main one in Wako, just outside Tokyo. RIKEN is an Independent Administrative Institution, whose formal name in Japanese is Rikagaku Kenkyūjo, and in English is the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research.

RIKEN conducts research in many areas of science, including physics, chemistry, biology, medical science, engineering and computational science, and ranging from basic research to practical applications. It is almost entirely funded by the Japanese government.

SpaceWorks Software is a division of SpaceWorks Enterprises, Inc. (SEI).

SpaceWorks Software develops technical, educational, and entertainment applications for the aerospace field and beyond. Our unique products and services are valued by government agencies, commercial companies, academic institutions, and private individuals around the world.

SpaceWorks Software strives to enhance the way engineers design systems, analyze alternatives, and visualize complex data. Whether the task is building an all-new desktop or mobile application, or integrating existing tools to streamline and improve the design process, our staff excels at delivering inspired solutions. SpaceWorks Software supports the future of aerospace engineering through our Academic License Program (ALP) and other educational partnerships.

SpaceWorks Commercial is a division of SpaceWorks Enterprises, Inc. (SEI).

SpaceWorks Commercial advances innovative ideas, solutions, and partnerships aimed at maturing near and far term commercial and international space ventures.

SpaceWorks Commercial serves as an incubator for new business ventures and partnerships for which SpaceWorks has a financial interest or strategic role. SpaceWorks Commercial seeks to start and develop innovative new space businesses that will compete in emerging space markets. The division leverages the technical, financial, and management resources of SpaceWorks to help these early-stage business ventures grow and compete until the point they can operate independently of our corporation. New businesses operating under the umbrella of SpaceWorks Commercial may also share infrastructure with SpaceWorks in Washington, DC and Atlanta, GA.

SpaceWorks Engineering is a division of SpaceWorks Enterprises, Inc. (SEI).

SpaceWorks Engineering (SEI-E) is SEI's aerospace engineering services division supporting a wide variety of traditional customers in the U.S. government and domestic aerospace industry. Key clients include NASA, the U.S. Air Force, DARPA, the U.S. Navy, and most U.S. aerospace prime contractors.

SpaceWorks Engineering is an industry leader in providing independent concept development, economic analysis, technology impact assessment, and systems analyses for future space systems and projects. Our technical staff is trained in a range of key engineering analyses such as propulsion, trajectories, aerodynamics, cost analysis, mass properties, economic modeling, operations, and reliability analysis. SEI-E projects range from single-discipline support for a client's design team to complete end-to-end space concept analysis. Our full-time staff is augmented by a team of highly-experienced Affiliates who provide additional guidance and insight.