A US non-profit private organization through which universities cooperate with each other, the government, and other organizations to further space science and technology, and to promote education in those areas. It also maintains a system of science councils of scientific experts who guide specific areas of research. It receives grants and contracts from NASA for most of its activities.

USRA, established in 1969, is under the auspices of the National Academy of Sciences. It began with 49 college and university members, and by 2016 had more than 380 universities directly involved in its activities, with USRS supporting more than 1 600 internships. Its research locations employ more than 500 scientific, technical, and professional staff.

USRA also administers the Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) at the USRA Center for Advanced Space Studies in Houston, Texas.