SSTI
Small Spacecraft Technology Initiative

The major goals of the SSTI program are to demonstrate how to reduce the cost and development time of space missions for science and commercial applications; to demonstrate new design and qualification methods for small spacecraft, including use of commercial and performance-based specifications and integration of small instrumentation technology into bus design; and to proactively promote commercial technology applications.

NASA is capitalizing on recent US industry developments in the early generations of lightweight satellite concepts and critical subsystem component technology. These developments have demonstrated the potential capability for small spacecraft design and methodology to greatly reduce the cost of civil and military space missions. At the present time, international competition to design and launch more advanced commercial spacecraft for remote sensing and communications is impacting market opportunities for current products of the US space industry. This major national effort will exploit the "next generation" of miniaturization techniques for spacecraft components, advanced instrumentation and sensors in order to integrate them into US advanced design concepts.

By using highly integrated teams of idustry, small business, acedemia and government technologists, SSTI will demonstrate on-orbit -- in a fast-track timeframe -- advanced technologies for future space systems and develop new ways of conducting business that are unfettered by government specifications and excessive oversight. As an example, NASA currently has contracts with TRW and CTA for the design, development, production and launch of two advanced smallsats, named Lewis and Clark, respectively. These innovative, cost-plus-incentive-fee contracts contain clauses which should mitigate any cost overruns. The integrated development team concept was emphasized in these contracts and resulted in a significantly larger percentage of small and disadvantaged business involvement.

TRW and CTA received awards to each build a single small spacecraft for less than $60 million. Contract start was July 11, 1994. Launches of the two spacecraft are planned for on or before July 11, 1996 reflecting the requirement for no more than 24 month development.

The TRW and CTA spacecraft are named Lewis and Clark respectively after the famed early American explorers.

Related QuickLook Pages:

• Clark
• Lewis