The Space Studies Board is a unit of the National Research Council, which serves as an independent advisor to the federal government on scientific and technical questions of national importance. The Research Council, jointly administered by the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine, brings the resources of the entire scientific and technical community to bear through its volunteer advisory committees.

Support for the work of the Space Studies Board and its committees and task groups was provided by National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contract NASW-96013, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Contract 50-DKNA-6-90040, Environmental Protection Agency Grant X-82821401, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Purchase Order DACA89-99-M-0147, NASA John C. Stennis Space Center Orders NS-7426 and NS-7570, National Science Foundation Grant AST-0075757, Department of Transportation Order DTRS56-00-P-70077, U.S. Department of Commerce Purchase Order 40-AA-NR-111308, and U.S. Geological Survey Cooperative Agreement 00HQAG0204.