Universities Space Research Association (USRA) is a nonprofit corporation that provides research and development services to government and industry customers. The company specializes in space science and technology, earth science, and aerospace engineering. USRA was founded in 1969 by a group of universities and is headquartered in Columbia, Maryland. The company operates research centers and institutes across the United States, including the Lunar and Planetary Institute, the Earth from Space Institute, and the Center for Space Plasma and Aeronomic Research.