--- title: "New Space Research Initiative Aims Sights Directly at Earth" id: "45327" type: "post" slug: "new-space-research-initiative-aims-sights-directly-at-earth" published_at: "2019-01-17T20:35:09+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-16T23:28:01+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2019/01/17/new-space-research-initiative-aims-sights-directly-at-earth/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2019/01/17/new-space-research-initiative-aims-sights-directly-at-earth.md" excerpt: "The Universities Space Research Association is launching the Earth from Space Institute, a new program that aims to identify problems happening on the ground from the sky. And they’re bringing in a former NASA official to lead the initiative." taxonomy_category: - "Learning" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "Business" - "climate" - "science" - "Space Research" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "C-Level" - "Executive Team" taxonomy_persona: - "Executive Leadership" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » New Space Research Initiative Aims Sights Directly at Earth Most associations are primarily concerned about Earth from a direct vantage point: That is, most of their work is based from the planet, and serves people based on the planet. But with a new initiative, the Universities Space Research Association is thinking about things from the outside in. This week, USRA announced the creation of a new subsidiary called the “Earth from Space Institute,” which will research the planet’s various systems and how they’re affected by change (whether manmade or naturally occurring) from the sky. “The establishment of the Earth from Space Institute is part of our strategic plan to expand USRA’s research activities in Earth Sciences,” USRA President and CEO Dr. Jeffrey Isaacson [said in a news release (opens in a new tab)](https://newsroom.usra.edu/universities-space-research-association-establishes-new-earth-from-space-institute-and-appoints-miguel-roman-founding-director/) . Helping lead the charge is a research scientist who knows a lot about studying the earth’s imagery: Dr. Miguel O. Román, a former NASA employee who helped create [Black Marble (opens in a new tab)](https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/features/NightLights) , a system of analysis for nighttime maps that opens up detection opportunities for issues such as power outages. In his new role at USRA, Román will help collaborate and forge relationships with public and private stakeholders to create partnerships that could help drive solutions to issues like climate change and disaster risk reduction. “Miguel is at the forefront of what is happening to our planet,” added Dr. Nicholas White, who serves as USRA’s senior vice president of science. “He’s an outstanding scientist whose accomplishments focus on observing our home planet and how it’s changing. We are delighted to have him on board at USRA.” (blackdovfx/iStock/Getty Images Plus) [Ernie Smith](https://associationsnow.com/author/ernie-smith/) Ernie Smith is a former senior editor for Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/ernie-smith/) Tags: [#Business](https://associationsnow.com/tag/business/) [#climate](https://associationsnow.com/tag/climate/) [#science](https://associationsnow.com/tag/science/) [#Space Research](https://associationsnow.com/tag/space-research/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [VideoAmerican College of Emergency Physicians: ACEP Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation ProgramSeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/american-college-of-emergency-physicians-acep-geriatric-emergency-department-accreditation-program/) - [PodcastWhy Associations Must Rethink Learning and Community TogetherMarch 26, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/03/26/why-associations-must-rethink-learning-and-community-together/) - [PodcastWhy AI Certification Matters for Association LeadersFebruary 26, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/02/26/why-ai-certification-matters-for-association-leaders/) - [Video2026 Summit Awards DinnerOctober 2, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/10/02/2026-summit-awards-dinner/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2019%2F01%2F17%2Fnew-space-research-initiative-aims-sights-directly-at-earth%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !