The University of Texas at Austin, Center for Space Research was established in 1981 under the direction of Dr. Byron D. Tapley. The mission of the Center is to conduct research in orbit determination, space geodesy, the Earth and its environment, exploration of the solar system, as well as expanding the scientific applications of space systems data.

Results of CSR's research have provided solutions to questions associated with fishery, agriculture, mapping ocean circulation, improving models of the Earth's gravity field, environmental impacts of oil spills, oil exploration and drilling operations, and weather forecasting.