USRA Wins Award from NASA to Advance Sample Science Research
USRA Wins Award from NASA to Advance Sample Science Research
Will Host Training Events in Their Laboratories and Facilities
Universities Space Research Association (USRA), a nonprofit organization focused on space science and technology, has received an award valued at $13 million spanning a three-year period to support NASA's Support for Planetary Sample Science program. The program's goals will be to train scientists on handling extraterrestrial samples or astromaterials, and how to work with them in the laboratory, use specialized methods of analysis and interpret the results.
"This award takes us back to our roots in 1968 when the LPI was established to help NASA engage the academic community in efforts to work with samples from the Apollo missions.”
Dr. Lisa Gaddis, USRA
USRA's Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) will be working closely with NASA's Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science (ARES) Division at Johnson Space Center and several other NASA-funded laboratories at universities to host training events in their world-class laboratories and facilities.
"It is our very great pleasure to continue to support NASA's Planetary Science Division through new collaborations at ARES and in the astromaterials community," said USRA's Dr. Lisa Gaddis, Director of the LPI. "This award takes us back to our roots in 1968 when the LPI was established to help NASA engage the academic community in efforts to work with samples from the Apollo missions. We are looking forward to focusing once again on astromaterials training and research."
"USRA is honored to continue supporting NASA's Planetary Science Division and Johnson Space Center through this important cooperative agreement," said Dr. Jeffrey Isaacson, President and CEO of Universities Space Research Association. "I am proud of our team for the innovative approaches they proposed to help NASA achieve its goals in planetary sample science."
As USRA/LPI embarks on this exciting journey with NASA, its commitment to innovation positions it to continue leading the way in sample science.
The LPI's program will bring together leading scientists, laboratories, universities, and industries in support of NASA's vital and growing sample science program. In partnership with ARES and many of the nation's leading astromaterials experts at Arizona State University, Purdue University, the University of Arizona, and the University of Texas, LPI will deliver an unmatched program of curriculum development in astromaterials from small bodies, engaging workshops focused on the unique laboratory facilities and samples curated by ARES, and hands-on training events designed to broaden participation in NASA's planetary science community. Working with Texas Southern University and the University of Houston at Clear Lake and other local partners, the LPI will expand opportunities for training students from historically marginalized communities as part of our intern programs.
Under the new award, LPI will also enable community-driven scientific research through its robust visiting scientist program that will support and mentor visitors and student interns as they conduct research in planetary and sample science at ARES and the LPI.