# Lunar and Planetary Institute

> American research institute in Houston

**Wikidata**: [Q239221](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q239221)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_and_Planetary_Institute)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/lunar-and-planetary-institute

## Summary
The Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) is an American research institute in Houston, Texas, dedicated to advancing the understanding of the solar system. Operated by the Universities Space Research Association (USRA), the LPI supports the scientific community through research, service, and public inspiration in fields like planetary geology, astronomy, and geophysics.

## Key Facts
- **Inception Date:** February 1978
- **Location:** Houston, Texas, United States
- **Parent Organization:** Universities Space Research Association (USRA)
- **Predecessor:** Formed from the Lunar Science Institute (LSI), which operated from 1968 to 1978.
- **Fields of Work:** Astronomy, geology, planetary geology, geophysics, Solar System studies, science education, and science outreach.
- **Classification:** Research institute, nonprofit organization, publishing house, and open-access repository.
- **Current Director:** Lisa R. Gaddis (since 2020).
- **Street Address:** 3600 Bay Area Blvd, Houston, TX 77058-1113

## FAQs
### Q: What does the Lunar and Planetary Institute do?
A: The Lunar and Planetary Institute's mission is to advance the understanding of the solar system. It conducts research in planetary science and provides scientific and administrative services to NASA and the broader research community, as well as engaging in science education and public outreach.

### Q: When was the Lunar and Planetary Institute founded?
A: The Lunar and Planetary Institute was established in February 1978. It was a direct continuation and renaming of its predecessor, the Lunar Science Institute, which was founded in 1968.

### Q: Who runs the Lunar and Planetary Institute?
A: The Lunar and Planetary Institute is operated by the Universities Space Research Association (USRA), a nonprofit consortium of universities. Its current director is Lisa R. Gaddis.

## Why It Matters
The Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) plays a crucial role in the global planetary science community by serving as a central hub for research, collaboration, and data dissemination. Building on the legacy of the Apollo-era Lunar Science Institute, the LPI continues to be a vital partner to NASA, providing scientific leadership and support for solar system exploration missions. Its work helps scientists analyze and interpret data from spacecraft, study extraterrestrial materials, and model the formation and evolution of planets, moons, and other celestial bodies.

Beyond pure research, the LPI is significant for its commitment to service and education. It organizes major scientific conferences, workshops, and publications, fostering communication and collaboration among researchers worldwide. By also functioning as a publishing house and open-access repository, it ensures that scientific knowledge is widely accessible. Through its outreach and education programs, the LPI inspires the next generation of scientists and informs the public, making the complex science of our solar system understandable and engaging for everyone.

## Notable For
- **Mission:** Its official mission is "to advance understanding of the solar system by providing exceptional science, service, and inspiration to the world."
- **Legacy:** The LPI is the direct successor to the Lunar Science Institute, which was founded in 1968 to support the scientific analysis of the Apollo missions.
- **Broad Scope:** The institute's work encompasses a wide range of disciplines, including astronomy, geology, geophysics, science education, and public outreach.
- **Management:** It is managed by the Universities Space Research Association (USRA), a nonprofit corporation of universities chartered to advance space-related science and technology.
- **Multi-faceted Role:** In addition to being a research center, the LPI also functions as a publishing house and an open-access repository for scientific information.

## Body
### History and Formation
The Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) was established in February 1978. It was formed through the renaming of its predecessor, the Lunar Science Institute (LSI). The LSI was founded on October 1, 1968, to serve as a key science-planning and research hub for the Apollo lunar exploration program. The name change in 1978 reflected the institute's expanding research focus from the Moon to the entire solar system.

### Organization and Leadership
The LPI is operated by the Universities Space Research Association (USRA). It is a nonprofit organization. The institute has a part, the Lunar Exploration Analysis Group.

**Directors:**
- **Lisa R. Gaddis:** 2020–present
- **Louise Prockter:** 2016–2020
- **Stephen J. Mackwell:** 2002–2016
- **Arch M. Reid:** 2002
- **David C. Black:** 1988–2002
- **Kevin Burke:** 1982–1988
- **Roger J. Phillips:** 1979–1982
- **John R. Sevier:** 1979
- **Thomas R. McGetchin:** 1977–1979

### Location
The institute is located in Houston, Texas, in the United States.
- **Street Address:** 3600 Bay Area Blvd, Houston, TX 77058-1113
- **Geographic Coordinates:** 29.587972° N latitude, -95.100917° W longitude

### Research and Mission
The LPI's mission is to advance understanding of the solar system. Its primary fields of work include:
- Astronomy
- Geology and Planetary Geology
- Geophysics
- Solar System studies
- Science Education
- Science Outreach

### Affiliations and Services
The LPI is a member of several organizations, including:
- OCLC, Inc.
- Amigos Library Services
- Regional Planetary Image Facility

## References

1. GRID
2. IdRef
3. OpenDOAR
4. [Open ISNI for Organizations](https://isni.ringgold.com/api/stable/institution/0000+0001+0944+145X)
5. [Library of Congress Linked Data Service](http://id.loc.gov/entities/providers/1c9e7895994dd3ac5f2d1a8dc59dad0b)
6. Open Library
7. Library of Congress Name Authority File
8. RERO
9. [Source](https://usra.edu/sites/usra/assets/image/programs/lpi/lpi-building-600x267.png)
10. CiNii Research
11. Virtual International Authority File
12. BnF authorities
13. CiNii
14. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
15. Integrated Authority File
16. [Source](https://www.lpi.usra.edu/about/)
17. Faceted Application of Subject Terminology
18. BabelNet
19. [Source](https://www.bisnode.de/upik-profile/065090706/universities_space_research_association/)
20. [Source](https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2713817.Lunar_and_Planetary_Institute)
21. [Library of Congress Linked Data Service](http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/organizations/txhls)
22. SNAC
23. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
24. Google Maps
25. Online Books Page
26. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph
27. [Source](https://www.lpi.usra.edu/about/visitor-information/)
28. LibraryThing
29. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Lunar_and_Planetary_Institute-DZ93WG)
30. YouTube API
31. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)