Space Systems Prototype Transitions (SSPT)

Space Systems Prototype Transitions (SSPT) under Budget Activity 4, aims to identify and address space technology and capability gaps to facilitate technology transition to military space prototypes and programs of record. The program conducts various activities such as systems engineering, technology planning, development, demonstrations, testing, modeling, simulations, and exercises to support the development and maturation of tactics and procedures. Specific objectives include rapidly addressing identified technology or capability gaps, accelerating the maturation of systems intended for demonstrations/prototypes that enhance/compliment/replace an existing capability, supporting a more reliable, available, maintainable and survivable military space enterprise, energizing the space industrial base supporting U.S. national security, and focusing on S&T innovation to facilitate its transition to military space programs of record.

Additionally, the program includes projects like Long Duration Propulsive Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) Secondary Payload Adapter (ESPA) (LDPE), Rapid On-Orbit Space Technology Evaluation Ring (ROOSTER), Tetra, Blackjack, Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS)-Hosted Payload (HP), Space Combat Cloud, Digital Engineering Interconnected Cloud-based Ecosystem (DEICE) Tech Stack, and Assault Breaker II (ABII). These projects aim to provide low-cost, rapid on-orbit capabilities for hosting and deploying numerous prototypes and payloads while enabling rapid and cost-effective technology insertion into operational programs of records through on-orbit checkout and testing of prototypes.

The program also focuses on developing technologies to increase satellite and enterprise resiliency against current and future threats. It aims to enable versatile communication pathways and respond to threats by developing a suite of on-board capabilities with options for integration into platforms. The program's acquisition strategy includes funding the development of prototype communication technology along with associated ground systems and preparing for source selection leading to a contract award for resiliency technologies.