The space sciences deal with some of the most profound questions in the universe: How did the universe begin? How did it, and everything in it, evolve? What is its future? And how does the behavior of the energy and components of the universe affect life on Earth? The study of astronomy and other space sciences research focus on the middle levels of Earth's atmosphere to the beginning of the universe, billions of light-years away.

USRA works in collaboration with space science researchers, technologists, NASA's Science Mission Directorate and other government and private-sector enterprises to develop space probes and space observatories to search for habitable environments and create new technologies that will help us learn more about the origins, history, and future of our solar system and the universe beyond.

USRA's space sciences programs encompass:

• The Center for Research and Exploration in Space Science and Technology (CRESST)-a collaborative program focused on space science research and technology development
• A variety of space science projects being conducted at the National Space Science and Technology Center (NSSTC).
• The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), an airborne observatory that studies the universe in the infrared spectrum from the Earth's stratosphere.