{"id":471411,"date":"2023-07-29T20:18:24","date_gmt":"2023-07-30T00:18:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?post_type=topic&p=471411"},"modified":"2024-02-07T15:06:58","modified_gmt":"2024-02-07T20:06:58","slug":"university-smallsat-technology-partnership-initiative","status":"publish","type":"topic","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/smallspacecraft\/university-smallsat-technology-partnership-initiative\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the University SmallSat Technology Partnership Initiative?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\" hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-secondary-navigation\"><div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-wrapper z-top width-100 padding-0\"><div id=\"\" class=\"hds-secondary-navigation width-full border-bottom-1px text-center hds-color-mode-light hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-hdsnav\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"hds-secondary-nav-mobile-button display-flex tablet:display-flex desktop:display-none width-full flex-align-center bg-carbon-90 border-color-carbon-80 color-spacesuit-white\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"hds-secondary-nav-track\"><span>Small Spacecraft Technology<\/span><svg width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 400 400\" viewBox=\"0 0 400 400\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m4.2 122.2 195.1 195.1 196.5-196.6-37.9-38-157.8 157.8-156.8-156.8z\" \/><\/svg><\/button><div class=\"hds-secondary-nav-track grid-container grid-container-extrawide padding-0 tablet:padding-x-3 desktop:padding-x-2 \"><div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-menu-items\"><nav><ul class=\"usa-nav__primary usa-accordion flex-justify-center margin-0\"><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/smallspacecraft\/\">Home<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/smallspacecraft\/smallsat_overview\/\">About<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/smallspacecraft\/technology-demonstrations\">Technology Demonstrations<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/smallspacecraft\/smallsat-technology-partnership-initiative\/\">Partnerships<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/smallspacecraft\/solicitations\/\">Work with Us<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/smallspacecraft\/sst-resources\">Resources<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/smallsat-institute\/\">S3VI<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full maxw-full width-full padding-0 hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-page-intro\">\n\t<div class=\"padding-0 bg-spacesuit-white wp-block-nasa-blocks-page-intro\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-page-intro hds-page-intro-banner width-full maxw-full padding-0 hds-cover-wrapper minh-tablet\">\n\t\t<div class=\"hds-foreground-wrapper display-flex\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-container grid-container-block margin-top-auto margin-bottom-auto width-full maxw-desktop-lg padding-top-9 padding-x-3 z-400\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6 desktop:padding-right-4 margin-bottom-3 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"page-heading-md line-height-sm color-spacesuit-white-important\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat is the University SmallSat Technology Partnership Initiative?\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p-lg color-carbon-30-important\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6 desktop:padding-right-4 margin-bottom-3 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-left mobile-skrim-top z-200\"><\/div>\n\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1320\" height=\"880\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/sst-partnerships-1.jpeg?w=1320\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"thermal control technology leverages fluid\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/sst-partnerships-1.jpeg 1320w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/sst-partnerships-1.jpeg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/sst-partnerships-1.jpeg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/sst-partnerships-1.jpeg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/sst-partnerships-1.jpeg?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/sst-partnerships-1.jpeg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/sst-partnerships-1.jpeg?resize=900,600 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/sst-partnerships-1.jpeg?resize=1200,800 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1320px) 100vw, 1320px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/figure>\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n<p>NASA\u2019s University SmallSat Technology Partnership (USTP) initiative supports the development of university-based technologies with the potential to advance the small spacecraft industry. The program aims to enhance the capabilities of SmallSats as a platform for innovative research and technology demonstrations, contributing to the nation\u2019s lunar and deep space exploration objectives and high-priority science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To accomplish this, USTP facilitates collaborations between accredited U.S. colleges and universities and NASA centers across the country. Specifically, the two-year cooperative agreements funded and managed by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/smallspacecraft\">Small Spacecraft Technology (SST) program<\/a> accelerate the development of promising <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/what-are-smallsats-and-cubesats\/\">SmallSat<\/a> technologies of interest, connecting these new technologies with the broader small spacecraft community and NASA. The continued increase in small spacecraft capability in areas such as processing, communications, navigation, power, and propulsion is spurred by investments and partnerships validated through in-orbit testing of individual spacecraft and constellations of SmallSats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Small spacecraft are also an emerging part of future space exploration, as they have shown the potential to support assembly and repair of other larger spacecraft; characterize the environments of the Moon, Mars, and other deep space destinations; and perform scientific observation of asteroids and exoplanets. The maturity of SmallSat systems brought about by investments in technology, instruments, and supporting tools will promote industry-wide adoption of the platform for more complex, distant, and long-duration missions.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/acd22-0013-037.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1363\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/acd22-0013-037.jpeg?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Engineer working on the Starling satellite.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/acd22-0013-037.jpeg 4928w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/acd22-0013-037.jpeg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/acd22-0013-037.jpeg?resize=768,511 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/acd22-0013-037.jpeg?resize=1024,682 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/acd22-0013-037.jpeg?resize=1536,1022 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/acd22-0013-037.jpeg?resize=2048,1363 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/acd22-0013-037.jpeg?resize=400,266 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/acd22-0013-037.jpeg?resize=600,399 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/acd22-0013-037.jpeg?resize=900,599 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/acd22-0013-037.jpeg?resize=1200,799 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/acd22-0013-037.jpeg?resize=2000,1331 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">NASA\u2019s Starling mission includes technologies that have received support from the University SmallSat Technology Partnerships program. Krystine Carrington is an engineer with Millennium Engineer and Integration Services, LLC, a subsidiary of Axient, pictured here testing the Starling satellites ahead of the mission\u2019s launch later this year.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA\/Dominic Hart<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Since 2013, the USTP initiative has funded 36 universities in 22 states. The strategy of combining financial investment and NASA partners in the USTP award structure for university research helps prepare small spacecraft technology for potential transition to industry and\/or infusion into exploration and science missions. Another important benefit of the USTP initiative is that it nurtures a new generation of small spacecraft innovators for industry, NASA, and other government agencies, and the nation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Between 2013 and 2023, NASA awarded six USTP cohorts comprised of university and NASA teams for a total award of more than $30 million. As of January 2024, eight out of the 10 NASA centers (including the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, a federally funded research center) have supported the university partnerships. That support has advanced affordable SmallSat technologies with applications in areas like autonomous swarm operation using radio frequency and optical navigation, improved thermal management, propulsion, and advanced power electronics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Awards are $225,000 per year per university team over a two-year partnership. The initiative helps advance SmallSat innovations\u2019 Technology Readiness Level (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/heo\/scan\/engineering\/technology\/technology_readiness_level\">TRL<\/a>), with a number of technologies demonstrated on suborbital and orbital platforms as well as making a successful transition to industry and\/or NASA missions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to advancing the science and exploration priorities of industry and NASA, many USTP-funded projects support crosscutting applications that address the broader small spacecraft community including academia and other government agencies. Early funded projects focused on readying small spacecraft technologies for suborbital or orbital technology demonstrations. More recently, USTP projects addressed these key areas within the Earth, cislunar, and deep space domains:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Topic 1: Earth- and Global Navigation Satellite System-Independent Position Navigation and Timing for Small Spacecraft<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Topic 2: Edge Computing and Machine-Learning Architectures, Software, Platforms, and Devices for Small Spacecraft<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Topic 3: High Specific Power Systems and Thermal Control for Small Spacecraft<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><br><strong>Fast Facts<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>The USTP initiative was previously called the \u201cSTP (Smallsat Technology Partnership)\u201d initiative until 2023 when it was renamed the \u201cUniversity Smallsat Technology Partnership\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>USTP solicitations typically occur every two years, based on availability of appropriated funds. Year-two funding is contingent on progress achieved during the first year and the availability of funds.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Starting in 2023, the maximum USTP award was increased from $200,000 to $225,000 annually for two years to the university partner in addition to a half-time annual labor for a NASA partner. In addition, in year two the NASA partner is provided $30,000 for the procurement of equipment and\/or testing facilities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Between 2013 and 2023:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>SST awarded 54 partnership projects between 36 U.S. colleges or universities in 22 states (+6 supporting collaborators in 6 states) and their NASA partners.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>USTP teams published 50+ papers, 30+ conference presentations, and involved 100+ students.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><br><strong>NASA Partnership<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The USTP initiative is managed by NASA\u2019s SST program office within the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD). The program office resides at NASA\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/ames\">Ames Research Center<\/a> (ARC), located in California\u2019s Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Eight NASA centers have participated as collaborators in the USTP program: Ames Research Center, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Johnson Space Center, Marshall Space Flight Center, Kennedy Space Center, Langley Research Center, Glenn Research Center, and Goddard Space Flight Center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>USTP projects have been selected for flight demonstration through NASA\u2019s Space Operations Mission Directorate\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/heo\/home\/CubeSats_initiative\">CubeSat Launch Initiative<\/a> and STMD\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/spacetech\/flightopportunities\/index.html\">Flight Opportunities program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><br><strong>Learn more:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>NASA-Supported University Research Slated for Upcoming CubeSat Missions<br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/image-feature\/nasa-supported-university-research-slated-for-upcoming-cubesat-missions\">https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/image-feature\/nasa-supported-university-research-slated-for-upcoming-cubesat-missions<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Annual University SmallSat Technology Partnerships Technology Exposition:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/smallsat-institute\/2022-techexpo-agenda\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2022 Technology Exposition<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/smallsat-institute\/2021-techexpo-agenda\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2021 Technology Exposition<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Small Spacecraft Technology Program Projects and Missions: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/smallspacecraft\/technology-demonstrations\/\">https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/smallspacecraft\/technology-demonstrations\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>NASA Small Spacecraft Systems Virtual Institute: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/smallsat-institute\/\">https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/smallsat-institute\/<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"> <br><strong>For investigators:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Investigators interested in funding opportunities with the Small Spacecraft Technology program please visit\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/spacetech\/small_spacecraft\/announcements-solicitations.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><br><strong>For news media: <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Members of the news media interested in covering this topic should reach out to the\u202f<a href=\"mailto:arc-dl-newsroom@mail.nasa.gov\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NASA Ames newsroom<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><br>USTP Cohort Solicitation Summary and Highlights by Year<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2020<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For the 2020 USTP solicitation, proposers identified a technology gap of a potential lunar mission that could be executed using SmallSats. Technology teams could address three topics:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Lunar communications and navigation network<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>SmallSat propulsion for lunar missions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Advanced electrical power subsystem and thermal management technology<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The nine selected university partnerships exemplified technical relevance and approach, including one notable project involving development of a 3D-printed hybrid propulsion solution for a SmallSat lunar landing and sample return. This low-cost \u201cgreen\u201d propulsion technology allows repeatable access to promising lunar surface features. Another funded project involved building a small satellite lunar communications and navigation system that would enable cell phone level performance position, navigation, timing (PNT) and text messaging at the Moon.<br>The award values were a maximum of $200,000 each year for up to two years ($400,000 maximum) per award plus NASA partner support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Learn more:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>NASA Selects Universities for Collaborative Development of Small Spacecraft Technologies:<br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/centers-and-facilities\/ames\/nasa-selects-universities-for-collaborative-development-of-small-spacecraft-technologies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/centers-and-facilities\/ames\/nasa-selects-universities-for-collaborative-development-of-small-spacecraft-technologies\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2020 SmallSat Technology Partnerships \u2013 Small Satellite Conference presentation: <a href=\"https:\/\/digitalcommons.usu.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?filename=0&article=4606&context=smallsat&type=additional\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/digitalcommons.usu.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?filename=0&article=4606&context=smallsat&type=additional<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><br><strong>2017<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The fourth-year USTP cohort of nine university teams offered proposals where their SmallSat or advanced technology could fill gaps in existing science or exploration system capabilities.<br>Key topic areas included:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Small spacecraft instrument technologies<\/strong> \u2013 development of multiple sensors, detectors, or optics supporting advanced measurements<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Technologies enabling large swarms of small spacecraft<\/strong> \u2013 enabling affordable small spacecraft swarms of 10 to 100 spacecraft, all controlled from the ground and operating safely in close proximity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Technologies enabling deep space small spacecraft missions <\/strong>\u2013 maintaining affordability and navigation, observation, or other functions as these spacecraft venture beyond Earth\u2019s magnetosphere<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Partnership teams were encouraged to pursue spaceflight demonstrations, including aboard the International Space Station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Learn more:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>NASA Selects University Partners for Small Spacecraft Collaboration: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/stmd\/small-spacecraft-technology-program\/nasa-selects-university-partners-for-small-spacecraft-collaboration-2017\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/stmd\/small-spacecraft-technology-program\/nasa-selects-university-partners-for-small-spacecraft-collaboration-2017\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><br><strong>2016<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The eight awarded college and university USTP projects in 2016 involved laboratory work to advance a particular small spacecraft technology or develop a new SmallSat. The solicitation required proposers to address one of four topic areas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Enhanced power generation and storage to enable longer duration missions for small spacecraft <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cross-linking communication systems to enhance inter-satellite radio frequency and optical communications for networks of small spacecraft, especially CubeSats<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Relative navigation for multiple small spacecraft<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>New miniaturized instruments and sensors for small spacecraft science missions   <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Learn more:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>NASA Reaches Out to Universities for Small Satellite Technology Collaborations:<br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/stmd\/small-spacecraft-technology-program\/nasa-reaches-out-to-universities-for-small-satellite-technology-collaborations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/stmd\/small-spacecraft-technology-program\/nasa-reaches-out-to-universities-for-small-satellite-technology-collaborations\/<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>NASA SmallSat Technology Partnerships Projects Selected in 2016: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/spacetech\/small_spacecraft\/NASA_Smallsat_Technology_Partnerships_Projects_Selected_2016\/\">https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/spacetech\/small_spacecraft\/NASA_Smallsat_Technology_Partnerships_Projects_Selected_2016\/<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><br><strong>2015<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The eight USTP projects selected in the program\u2019s second year included university projects to develop innovations in systems or techniques to improve the quantity and quality of data transmittal from small spacecraft, including CubeSats. Awarded projects also helped reduce the cost and complexity of ground operations to support small spacecraft demonstrations through new technology or better coordination of assets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The 2015 cohort addressed four technology areas: precise attitude control and pointing instruments or antennas that can hold precise attitudes; power generation, energy storage, and thermal management systems for small spacecraft; low-cost deorbit systems; and communications and tracking systems and networks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Learn more:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>SmallSat Technology Partnership Selections NASA-University Collaborations<br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/stmd\/small-spacecraft-technology-program\/smallsat-technology-partnership-selections-nasa-university-collaborations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/stmd\/small-spacecraft-technology-program\/smallsat-technology-partnership-selections-nasa-university-collaborations\/<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><br><strong>2013<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In its first year, the USTP initiative included 13 partnership teams from 17 universities and 7 NASA field centers. The projects focused on miniature radio and navigation devices, low-power laser communications, and radiation-tolerant computers. Additional emerging concepts eligible for funding included energy storage devices and electric propulsion for deep space missions. Two of these 13 partnerships were selected for launch opportunities through the CubeSat Launch Initiative.<br><strong>Learn more:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>SmallSat Technology Partnerships 2013 Fact Sheet: <a href=\"https:\/\/www3.nasa.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/files\/SSTP_Partnerships_Program_Fact_Sheet.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www3.nasa.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/files\/SSTP_Partnerships_Program_Fact_Sheet.pdf<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>NASA Selects University Teams for New SmallSat Collaborative Projects: <br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/press\/2013\/august\/nasa-selects-university-teams-for-new-smallsat-collaborative-projects\/#.YdDHF33ML54\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/press\/2013\/august\/nasa-selects-university-teams-for-new-smallsat-collaborative-projects\/#.YdDHF33ML54<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-topic-cards nasa-gb-align-full maxw-full width-full padding-y-6 padding-x-3 color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-topic-cards\">\t\t<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block-lg padding-x-0\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-center margin-bottom-3\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"desktop:grid-col-8 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-2\">Keep Exploring<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-36 line-height-sm\">Discover More Topics From NASA<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-gap-2 hds-topic-cards-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/space-technology-mission-directorate\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Space Technology Mission Directorate<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"525\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/stmd.jpg?w=525\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/stmd.jpg 525w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/stmd.jpg?resize=197,300 197w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/stmd.jpg?resize=263,400 263w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/stmd.jpg?resize=394,600 394w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/stmd-flight-opportunities\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>STMD Flight Opportunities<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/spaceworks_balloon_launch-1.jpeg?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/spaceworks_balloon_launch-1.jpeg 2400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/spaceworks_balloon_launch-1.jpeg?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/spaceworks_balloon_launch-1.jpeg?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/spaceworks_balloon_launch-1.jpeg?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/spaceworks_balloon_launch-1.jpeg?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/spaceworks_balloon_launch-1.jpeg?resize=2048,1152 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/spaceworks_balloon_launch-1.jpeg?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/spaceworks_balloon_launch-1.jpeg?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/spaceworks_balloon_launch-1.jpeg?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/spaceworks_balloon_launch-1.jpeg?resize=1200,675 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/spaceworks_balloon_launch-1.jpeg?resize=2000,1125 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/smallsat-institute\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Small Spacecraft Systems Virtual Institute (S3VI)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1152\" height=\"1536\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/soa-2023-cover.png?w=1152\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/soa-2023-cover.png 1275w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/soa-2023-cover.png?resize=225,300 225w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/soa-2023-cover.png?resize=768,1024 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/soa-2023-cover.png?resize=1152,1536 1152w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/soa-2023-cover.png?resize=300,400 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/soa-2023-cover.png?resize=450,600 450w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/soa-2023-cover.png?resize=675,900 675w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/soa-2023-cover.png?resize=900,1200 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1152px) 100vw, 1152px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/sbir_sttr\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) \/ Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1536\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/sbir_sttr_program.jpg?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/sbir_sttr_program.jpg 2550w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/sbir_sttr_program.jpg?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/sbir_sttr_program.jpg?resize=300,300 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/sbir_sttr_program.jpg?resize=768,768 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/sbir_sttr_program.jpg?resize=1024,1024 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/sbir_sttr_program.jpg?resize=1536,1536 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/sbir_sttr_program.jpg?resize=2048,2048 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/sbir_sttr_program.jpg?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/sbir_sttr_program.jpg?resize=100,100 100w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/sbir_sttr_program.jpg?resize=200,200 200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/sbir_sttr_program.jpg?resize=400,400 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/sbir_sttr_program.jpg?resize=600,600 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/sbir_sttr_program.jpg?resize=900,900 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/sbir_sttr_program.jpg?resize=1200,1200 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/sbir_sttr_program.jpg?resize=2000,2000 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NASA\u2019s University SmallSat Technology Partnership (USTP) initiative supports the development of university-based technologies with the potential to advance the small spacecraft industry. The program aims to enhance the capabilities of SmallSats as a platform for innovative research and technology demonstrations, contributing to the nation\u2019s lunar and deep space exploration objectives and high-priority science. To accomplish [...]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":98,"featured_media":0,"parent":192469,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"nasa_hds_core_meta_l10n":"en-US","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_editor":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_contacts":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_topic":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_linked_locations":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_related_articles":[],"hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_id":"","hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_type":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_x":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_y":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_gallery_images":[]},"categories":[3342],"news-tags":[],"internal-terms":[],"coauthors":[9525],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"WebPage","headline":"What is the University SmallSat Technology Partnership Initiative?","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/smallspacecraft\/university-smallsat-technology-partnership-initiative\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/smallspacecraft\/university-smallsat-technology-partnership-initiative\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":""},"articleSection":"NASA Directorates","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Sonja Caldwell"}],"creator":["Sonja Caldwell"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NASA","logo":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo.svg"},"keywords":["NASA Directorates","Space Technology Mission Directorate","Small Spacecraft Technology Program"],"dateCreated":"2023-07-30T00:18:24Z","datePublished":"2023-07-30T00:18:24Z","dateModified":"2024-02-07T20:06:58Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"What is the University SmallSat Technology Partnership Initiative?\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/smallspacecraft\/university-smallsat-technology-partnership-initiative\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"index\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2023-07-30T00:18:24Z\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-section\" content=\"NASA Directorates\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-tags\" content=\"NASA Directorates,Space Technology Mission Directorate,Small Spacecraft Technology Program\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"Sonja Caldwell\" \/>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/nasa.gov\/p.js"},"read_time":8,"time_ago":"11 months","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic\/471411"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/topic"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/98"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic\/471411\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":610561,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic\/471411\/revisions\/610561"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic\/192469"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=471411"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=471411"},{"taxonomy":"news-tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-tags?post=471411"},{"taxonomy":"internal-terms","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-terms?post=471411"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=471411"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}