The Center for Space Sciences and Technology (CSST) is one of UMBC’s two largest research centers and is responsible for over 10% of UMBC’s total research volume. It is the primary home for over 60 scientists and engineers on the UMBC faculty who are conducting research in a wide range of topics within the domains of astrophysics and solar system exploration.

The majority of CSST’s work is supported as task orders under the Center for Research and Exploration in Space Science & Technology II (CRESST II) cooperative agreement between the CRESST II consortium and NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). The consortium consists of the University of Maryland College Park (UMCP), UMBC, Catholic University, Howard University, and the Southeastern Universities Research Association (SURA). UMCP is the lead institution, with UMCP and UMBC as the two major, equal work-share, partners.

In addition to CRESST II, CSST’s scientists and engineers are supported by grants from NASA, NSF, and other sponsors. Most of the CSST faculty are based out of GSFC in Greenbelt, Maryland, with additional CSST research taking place at UMBC’s main campus in southwest Baltimore County. CSST works closely with the faculty and students in UMBC’s degree-granting departments as well as with UMBC’s other NASA-focused research centers.

CSST and UMBC’s other NASA-focused research centers are supported by UMBC’s Earth & Space Research Administration (ESRA) shared services unit.