Tennessee Tech joins Universities Space Research Association to support space-related science, technology and engineering
Tennessee Tech University has joined the prestigious ranks of the Universities Space Research Association (USRA), a non-profit organization chartered to advance space-related science, technology and engineering. Elected by USRA’s current university members, Tech was formally inaugurated into the association on May 18, 2026, bringing the membership of the association to 123 universities.
Founded in 1969, USRA is an independent, nonprofit organization that advances space- and Earth-related science, engineering and technology through innovative research, education, and workforce development programs. USRA partners with government agencies, academic institutions and industry to address some of the nation’s most complex scientific and technical challenges.
The eligibility criteria for USRA membership includes demonstrated significant contributions in space or aerospace research by faculty, and a substantial commitment to a course of studies and dissertation research leading to the doctorate in one or more related fields.
“Tennessee Tech is proud to join the Universities Space Research Association and further strengthen our role in advancing space science and innovation,” said Tech President Phil Oldham. “With more than 200 alumni contributing to missions at NASA — including retired astronaut Barry ‘Butch’ Wilmore — and faculty leaders like Jeannette Luna supporting the Artemis program, our Golden Eagles have been engaged in meaningful work to advance USRA’s goals all along. Through this partnership, we look forward to expanding opportunities for collaboration and preparing the next generation of leaders in space exploration.”
Tech is actively investing in its research enterprise, expanding faculty capacity in areas relevant to space sciences, developing new research infrastructure and deepening partnerships with federal agencies and national laboratories. In 2025, the university set an all-time record for externally funded research for the fifth year in a row, topping $47.9 million with 193 research activations.
The university is recognized as an R2 doctoral, high-research activity university by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education and was designated as an “opportunity” university by Carnegie in 2025 for its dual qualities of higher access and higher earnings for graduates.
Elsayed Talaat, Ph.D., president and CEO of Universities Space Research Association, stated, “I am delighted to welcome Tennessee Tech to the Universities Space Research Association and look forward to their active engagement in our consortium and across our programs. As we look ahead, our collaboration will enable us to explore new opportunities, deepen our impact, inspire discovery and contribute meaningfully to humanity’s future in space.”
With a strong commitment to research in space sciences and related fields, Tech offers doctoral programs aligned with USRA’s various fields including chemical engineering, electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science and environmental sciences.
Faculty conduct research in different disciplines such as computer engineering, remote
sensing, earth and atmospheric science and computer science. Tech's research facilities
span experimental aeronautics, Earth and atmospheric science, space power and nuclear
systems, cybersecurity and high-performance computing. Collectively, these form an
integrated program for graduate study at the doctoral level in space-related disciplines.
For more information on Universities Space Research Association, visit www.usra.edu or contact Suraiya Farukhi, Ph.D., Director, Communications at sfarukhi@usra.edu or 443-812-6945.