Space Test Program (STP)

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 (ISS). In FY12, STP provided launch services to 4 Space Experiment Review Board (SERB)approved experiments. It also provided operations support for free-flyer experiments and long-duration external experiments on the ISS. The FY13 funds were oringially requested to support program closeout and termination. STP was re-instated in FY13 and funds are now providing services to 14 SERB-approved experiments. In FY14 funds will be used to ramp up the program and plan for a restored Space Test Program. STP-2 integration and mission operations 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.

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Document Details

Document Type
R2 Budgetary Justification
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2014
Source ID
0605864F_6_3600_PB_2014
Change Summary Explanation
FY2012: -$2.837M for SBIR; -$0.264M due to higher Department priorities. FY2014: +$13M to reinstitute the Space Test Program.
Service Agency Name
Air Force

Entities

Organizations

  • United States Air Force

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

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

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering.
  • Defense Financial Management and Audit.

Technology Areas

  • Autonomy
  • Space
  • Space - Satellites

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