Universities Space Research Association has secured a two-year, $193 million contract from NASA to provide academic and university-based program and project support for Ames Research Center’s science and engineering teams.
The nonprofit research company will aid the center’s efforts to meet mission requirements for research and development, technology deployments and operational science missions, NASA said Thursday.
USRA will also work to maintain methods for researcher recruitment and interaction between researchers, students and Ames employees, the space agency added.
The NASA Academic Mission Services contract includes one two-year and one one-year extension options.
Ames looks to maintain its knowledge database, conduct scientific research, establish a lead status for NASA in small spacecraft missions, expand partnerships with the public and private sectors and contribute exploration technologies.
USRA conducts research in astronomy and astrophysics, lunar and planetary science, biomedicine and life sciences, earth science and science computing and facilitates a platform in which universities, research organizations and governments may collaborate in the development and application of space-related STEM technologies.
