The team of the University of Maryland, College Park, the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and the Universities Space Research Association has been selected by the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center to establish and operate the Center for Research and Exploration in Space Science and Technology (CRESST). CRESST brings together NASA/Goddard researchers and scientists from the Maryland campuses and USRA to build upon the many capabilities and strengths in space science of the participating organizations. CRESST researchers are initially focusing on the study of neutron stars, black holes, and extremely hot gas throughout the universe. The Center also works to increase the involvement of minority and women scientists in space science research and to facilitate university student participation in such research.