Space Test Program (STP)

The Space Test Program (STP) under the Air Force aims to accelerate the transformation of DoD space technology while reducing developmental risk. The program's specific objectives include integrating, launching, and operating a selected number of DoD-sponsored experiments in line with Space Experiments Review Board (SERB) priorities and funding. STP missions provide a cost-effective way to flight test new militarily relevant space system technologies, concepts, and designs. Additionally, the program aims to support 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 advanced payload support hardware for launch vehicles (LV), commercial launch services, and human-rated spaceflight vehicles, and expand and leverage international opportunities to further access for the US and its allies' R&D payloads.

Furthermore, the Space Test Program (STP) is reaffirmed as the primary provider of spaceflight for the DoD space research community. The program plays a crucial role in managing all DoD payloads on the International Space Station (ISS). With a focus on speed and agility in response to emerging adversary threats in space acquisition, the program is transforming the organization and implementation of space acquisition to an enterprise approach. This includes maximizing innovation and resiliency, leveraging international, commercial, and mission partnerships, managing program/project priorities according to an integrated unclassified/classified enterprise space architecture, expanding appropriate acquisition authorities and contract mechanisms to deliver capability sooner, and strategically executing experimentation, prototyping, risk reduction efforts to develop new or repurpose capabilities.