Space Test Program

Abstract

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 (LV) and unmanned spaceflight vehicles The Deputy Secretary of Defense Space Test Program Management & Funding Policy, issued in Jul 2002, reaffirmed STP as the primary provider of spaceflight for the DoD space research community. 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. In FY11, STP provided launch services to 24 SERB-approved experiments including seven long-duration experiments on the ISS. FY11 also saw the launch of an additional 13 experiments on the Shuttle or other man-rated systems with additional integration to the ISS. It also provided operations support for free-flyer experiments and long-duration external experiments on the ISS. The DoD Space Experiments Review Board (SERB) approved and prioritized 63 experiments in 2011 as candidates for launch services. Beginning in FY13, new STP efforts are terminated. FY13 efforts support program closeout and termination. STP-2 integration and mission will be continued in FY13-FY15 via existing funding in PE 0603401F Advanced Spacecraft Technology, RDT&E AF. STP-2 is a dedicated research and development launch mission that also supports the commercial new entrant launch strategy. STP is in Budget Activity 6, RDT&E Management Support, because it supports RDT&E satellite launches.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
R2 Budgetary Justification
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2013
Source ID
0605864F_6_3600_PB_2013
Change Summary Explanation
FY11: -$2.545M for SBIR. -$0.610M for Congressional General Reductions (CGRs). FY12: -$0.517M for CGRs. FY13: Program net decrease -$39.518M (-$39.569M for termination of Space Test Program; +$0.051M inflationary factor adjustment to remaining $10.000M)
Service Agency Name
Air Force

Entities

Organizations

  • United States Air Force

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Air Force
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Launch Vehicles
  • Manned Spacecraft
  • Payload
  • Program Management
  • Space Environments
  • Space Objects
  • Space Shuttles
  • Space Stations
  • Space Systems
  • Spacecraft
  • Spacecraft Components
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Vehicles

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering.
  • Defense Acquisition Program Management

Technology Areas

  • Autonomy
  • Space
  • Space - Satellites

Related Documents