SpaceTech-REDDI-2023 Appendix S1: University Smallsat Technology 

Partnerships Now Open

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Headquarters has released

a solicitation, entitled “University Smallsat Technology Partnerships (USTP),” as an 

appendix to the Space Technology Mission Directorate umbrella NASA Research 

Announcement (NRA) titled "Space Technology Research, Development, 

Demonstration, and Infusion 2023 (SpaceTech-REDDI-2023).” The solicitation is 

available by opening the NSPIRES homepage at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ by 

selecting "Solicitations," then selecting "Open Solicitations," and, finally, selecting 

"University Smallsat Technology Partnerships." To go directly to the solicitation page, 

visit https://tinyurl.com/NASA-23USTP.

The Small Spacecraft Technology (SST) program within the NASA Space Technology 

Mission Directorate (STMD) is chartered to expand the ability to execute unique 

missions through rapid development and demonstration of capabilities for small 

spacecraft applicable to exploration, science, and the commercial space sector. To that 

end, the SST program seeks to:

• Enable the execution of missions at much lower cost than previously possible.

• Substantially reduce the time required for development of spacecraft, from 

authority to proceed until initial launch capability.

• Enable and demonstrate new mission architectures that small spacecraft are 

uniquely suited for.

• Expand the capability of small spacecraft to execute missions at new 

destinations and in challenging new environments.

• Enable the augmentation of existing assets and future missions with supporting 

small spacecraft.

The goals of this appendix include collaboration with university teams that have 

experience in small spacecraft development and the extension of support to colleges 

and universities that have little or no previous involvement in this field. Colleges and 

universities with experience in small spacecraft development are encouraged to team 

with other college and universities to address these dual goals. 

Only accredited U.S. universities with a campus located in the U.S. are eligible to 

submit proposals. Partnering with a NASA Center is required (see solicitation for 

complete eligibility and teaming requirements). 

An individual may be the Principal Investigator on only one proposal in response to this 

solicitation but may participate as a Co-Investigator or other role on multiple proposals 

(see solicitation for restrictions).

The solicitation exclusively seeks proposals that are responsive to one of three topics: 

• Earth- and Global Navigation Satellite System-Independent Position Navigation 

and Timing for Small Spacecraft
• Edge Computing and Machine-Learning Architectures, Software, Platforms, and 

Devices for Small Spacecraft

• High Specific Power Systems and Thermal Control for Small Spacecraft

NASA anticipates addressing other topics in future solicitation releases.

The financial and programmatic support for University Smallsat Technology 

Partnerships comes from the Small Spacecraft Technology (SST) program, in 

cooperation with the Flight Opportunities (FO) program, both within STMD. Awards are 

planned to start in September 2023. NASA plans to make approximately 8 awards as a 

result of this solicitation, subject to the receipt of meritorious proposals. The actual 

number of awards will depend on the quality of the proposals received; NASA reserves 

the right to make no awards under this solicitation.

This solicitation uses a two-step selection process. Mandatory Preliminary Proposals 

(MPP) are due by Tuesday, May 16 2023 and must be submitted electronically via 

NSPIRES. Following a review process of the MPP, selected proposers will receive an 

invitation to submit a Full Proposal. Full Proposals must be submitted electronically 

through NSPIRES by an authorized organizational representative and are due on or 

before Tuesday, July 18 2023. Detailed submission instructions and due dates are 

provided in the solicitation. Potential proposers and their proposing organizations are 

urged to familiarize themselves with the submission system(s), ensure they are 

registered in NSPIRES, and submit the required proposal materials well in advance of 

the deadline. 

Comments and questions may be addressed by e-mail to the Small Spacecraft 

Technology Program Executive, Christopher Baker, at HQ-STMD-SSTPartnerships@nasaprs.com. Responses to inquiries may be included in the Frequently 

Asked Questions (FAQ) documents located on the NSPIRES page associated with the 

solicitation; anonymity of persons/institutions who submit questions will be preserved.