The Utah Space Grant Consortium was established on September 1, 1989. From its inception, the concept of the Space Grant program has been to help institutions provide opportunities for college students to pursue space-related educational experiences leading to beneficial careers. Motivational enhancement comes from creative research and partnerships with NASA Centers, other consortia, the state, and industry. National Space Grant plays a significant role in helping to meet the STEM (Science, Technology, Education, and Mathematics) workforce needs of industry, education, and government.

Professor Doran Baker is the founding editor of the Rocky Mountain Space Grant Symposium Proceedings (now called the Utah Space Grant), and served as editor for more than two decades. It is due to his vision and dedication that this series continues to provide students a venue to showcase their research.