Its primary areas of research was astrophysics and solar system physics. A great deal of the research was concentrated on X-ray coming from astronomical objects. DRI have had X-ray equipment onboard the Russian Satellite Granat and the European EURECA satellite.
The Danish Small Satellite Programme was headed by DRI.
On January 1, 2005 DRI merged with the geodesy part of Kort & Matrikelstyrelsen to form Danish National Space Center.