Purpose and Scope:

The focus of the University Institutes Project is to provide Constellation Systems, within the Development Programs Division of the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD), with the products of long-term research and development. The Institutes, prior to January 2004, had been devoted to specific research elements of high priority to the former sponsoring program, the Next Generation Launch Technology (NGLT) Program. However, the Institutes have been refocused to better address the critical needs of Constellation Systems. Specifically, the Project Team has been working with the universities to define and pursue problems of interest in the following transportation-focused areas: Thrust Chamber Assemblies, Propellant Storage and Delivery, Vehicle Thermal Structures, Reentry Aerothermodynamics, Systems Analysis, and Education. There are 52 baselined task plans within the University Institutes.

Objectives:

1. Perform research and development that moves fundamental advances from scientific discovery to basic technology that addresses critical Constellation needs.

2. Enhance and broaden the ability of the nation's universities to meet the needs of NASA's science and technology programs.

3. Expand the nation's talent base for NASA mission-related research, development, and technology maturation.

4. Strengthen NASA's ties to academia through long-term, directed, and sustained investment.

Organization:

The Constellation University Institutes Project Management Team serves as the liaison or "courier" for the Project and its various entities that comprise the whole CUIP: the universities, the government, and industry. While trying to position the 52 tasks to best meet the needs of Constellation Systems, the Management Team strives to equip each entity with the information required to optimize its efforts.

The project organization encompasses three institutes which address problems of fundamental importance to Constellation. The three institutes all follow the same format of lead university and multiple supporting universities. In total, there are 17 geographically distinct universities, 52 tasks, over 80 faculty members, and 100 students. Last year, there were over 200 workshops, conferences, and archival publications.

The Institute for Future Space Transport (IFST) is led by the University of Florida and includes the following supporting universities: Cornell University, Syracuse University, the Georgia Institute of Technology, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Mississippi State University, North Carolina A&T University, the University of Michigan, and Prairie View A&M University. The IFST has task plans that address issues in Thrust Chamber Assemblies, Propellant Storage and Delivery, Vehicle Thermal Structures, Reentry Aerothermodynamics, Systems Analysis, and Education.

The Space Vehicle Technology Institute (SVTI) is led by the University of Maryland and includes the following supporting universities: the University of Michigan, Johns Hopkins University/Applied Physics Lab, the University of Washington, and North Carolina A&T University. The SVTI has task plans that address issues in Thrust Chamber Assemblies, Vehicle Thermal Structures, Reentry Aerothermodynamics, and Systems Analysis.

The Rocket Engine Advancement Program (REAP) Institute is led by the University of Alabama at Huntsville and includes the following supporting universities: the Pennsylvania State University, Auburn University, Purdue University and Tuskegee University. The REAP Institute has task plans that address issues in the Thrust Chamber Assemblies area.

For guidance, the Project also relies on a NASA Refocus Team and an Industry/Department of Defense Advisory Board that includes NASA senior executive representatives.