CRESST II

The Center for Research and Exploration in Space Science & Technology (CRESST II) is a ten-year partnership between NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and the University of Maryland, College Park; the University of Maryland, Baltimore County; Catholic University of America; Howard University; and SURA. CRESST II continues the successes of CRESST, which enabled university scientists and students to be involved in NASA’s Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope, Swift Gamma-Ray Burst Mission, Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission, and Cassini Mission to Saturn.

CRESST II facilitates collaborations between researchers at GSFC, space scientists from CRESST II partner institutions, and the external science community through visiting and sabbatical research positions, student internships, and workshops. CRESST II’s science priorities carry out observational, experimental, and theoretical research in support of GFSC’s Sciences and Exploration Directorate, including the study of the solar system, stars, galaxies, and the universe at large.

CRESST II also continues to support access to critical space science data archives and the analysis of data from current and past NASA missions. CRESST II scientists are involved in the construction and testing of instrumentation for missions, the planning of future missions, and the development of new technology to enable future missions. The close association between GSFC and the CRESST II partner institutions enhances STEM education and diversity, creating opportunities to train a new generation of leaders in space science.

SURA is the lead institution in recruiting and attracting visiting scientists and sabbatical researchers to enable and facilitate NASA Goddard collaborations with the greater scientific community. SURA also administers the CRESST II summer internship program, visiting scientist and student visa programs, program travel, and consulting, and facilitates scientific colloquia, workshops, conferences, and other special program support. Sean Hearne, SURA’s President and CEO, serves on the CRESST II Advisory Board, and Carolyn Wilson, SURA Special Projects Manager, serves on the CRESST II Management Council.

Please visit the CRESST II website for more information on the program, including current research opportunities and the summer internship program.