Space Test Program
Abstract
(U) The Space Test Program (STP) conducts space test missions for the purpose of accelerating DoD space technology transformation while lowering developmental risk. The program flies an optimally selected number of DoD sponsored experiments consistent with priority, opportunity, and funding. STP missions are the most cost-effective way to flight test new space system technologies, concepts and designs, providing an inexpensive way to: - Support the space acquisition block development approach - Demonstrate and develop responsive research and development (R&D) space capabilities - Provide early operational capabilities to quickly react to new developments - Perform operational risk reduction through direct flight test of prototype components - Improve operational design by characterizing the space environment, event, or sensor physics proposed for an operational system/system upgrade - Develop, test, and acquire advanced payload support hardware for small and medium expendable launch vehicles and manned spaceflight vehicles (U) The Deputy Secretary of Defense issued a Space Test Program Management & Funding Policy in Jul 2002, reaffirming STP as the primary provider of spaceflight for the entire DoD space research community. The policy states in part that "the STP funding level must be sufficient to provide spaceflight for DoD Space Experiments Review Board (SERB) approved experiments in a timely manner. As a goal, the Air Force funding level should provide for a Small-Launch-Vehicle-Class mission every 2 years and a Medium-Launch-Vehicle-Class mission every 4 years. This is in addition to funding required to support secondary payload and spacecraft missions on other organizations' spacecraft and launch vehicles." The Jul 2002 policy statement also reaffirms STP's role as the single manager for all DoD payloads on the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station. Air Force Space Command issued a policy in May 2004 that establishes STP as the sole gateway for all agencies requesting launch services as a piggyback payload or secondary satellite on a Combatant Command mission. STP maintains a SERB ranked list of these prospective payloads seeking assistance. There were 60 experiments approved by the SERB in 2009. (U) STP has a continually evolving mission portfolio, whereby space experiments and technology payloads are selected for spaceflight from the most recent list approved by the SERB. STP is authorized to initiate new missions from the prioritized, SERB-approved list. STP may also support non-SERB customers, both DoD and other U.S. Government, on a cost-reimbursable basis. Selection of the most appropriate spaceflight mode for a payload is dependent on optimizing the combination of SERB list priority, timing and readiness of experiments, launch opportunity, and availability of funding. STP support for these payloads includes some or all of the following: mission planning and related support activities; acquisition of a dedicated satellite, launch vehicle, and/or associated integration hardware; integration onto a host satellite, launch vehicle, NASA shuttle, and/or the International Space Station; readiness reviews, launch support, and approximately one year of on-orbit operations. This flexible approach is essential in order to take advantage of 'target of opportunity' space hardware, including operational spacecraft and launch vehicles with margin, and ensures the maximum amount of DoD space research is accomplished with the resources available. STP efforts enabled the successful flight of 12 experiments in FY09 and the planned launch of 43 experiments in FY10. (U) STP is in Budget Activity 6, RDT&E Management Support, because it supports RDT&E satellite launches.
Document Details
- Document Type
- R2 Budgetary Justification
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2011
- Source ID
- 0605864F_6_3600_PB_2011
- Change Summary Explanation
- FY 2009: BTR (-$1.675M) for Minotaur IV Mission Assurance, SBIR (-1.272M) Note: The FY 2010 President's Budget submittal did not reflect FY 2011 through FY 2015 funding. Therefore, explanation of changes between the two budget positions cannot be made in a relevant manner
- Service Agency Name
- Air Force
Entities
Organizations
- United States Air Force
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