Small Spacecraft Technology Program Smallsat Technology Partnerships Appendix | Apply Online

Opportunity Summary:

NASA Headquarters, through the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD), announced a planned solicitation called the Small Spacecraft Technology Program Smallsat Technology Partnerships Appendix. It was issued as an appendix under the broader NASA Research Announcement (NRA) Space Technology Research, Development, Demonstration, and Infusion - 2016 (SpaceTech-REDDI-2016), with the program element identified as NNH16ZOA001N-16STPE1. The opportunity was posted in early April 2016, with the appendix anticipated for release around April 8, 2016, and a proposal deadline listed as May 25, 2016. Full solicitation materials and any updates were to be accessed through NASA’s NSPIRES system by navigating to the SpaceTech-REDDI-2016 NRA and then selecting the specific open program element for this appendix.

The core purpose of the opportunity is to fund U.S. colleges and universities working in collaboration with NASA to develop and/or demonstrate new technologies and capabilities specifically aimed at small spacecraft (commonly referred to as smallsats). NASA made clear that proposed efforts could range from ground-based technology development all the way to building spacecraft or payload hardware intended for technology demonstrations in relevant environments, including suborbital flights, balloon missions, or orbital flight demonstrations. Regardless of where the work takes place, the proposed technology or capability must directly support NASA mission needs in one or more of these areas: science, exploration, space operations, or aeronautics. In other words, the work is not just academic research for its own sake; it is intended to mature practical smallsat technologies that NASA can use, adapt, or infuse into future missions.

Proposals were required to fit within one of four defined technical topic areas. Topic 1 focuses on enhanced power generation and storage, which generally covers improvements that help small spacecraft produce, manage, and store electrical energy more effectively within tight mass and volume constraints. Topic 2 targets cross-linking communications systems, meaning technologies that enable spacecraft-to-spacecraft communications (rather than only spacecraft-to-ground), which is especially important for constellations or distributed missions. Topic 3 addresses relative navigation for multiple small spacecraft, covering the sensors, algorithms, and system approaches that let several spacecraft determine their positions relative to one another and operate in coordinated ways (for example, formation flying or proximity operations). Topic 4 focuses on instruments and sensors for small spacecraft science missions, aimed at miniaturized or otherwise smallsat-compatible payloads that can enable meaningful scientific measurements within the limitations of small platforms.

NASA planned to make awards using cooperative agreements, with the agreement issued to the proposing college or university partner as the primary recipient. A cooperative agreement structure typically signals substantial involvement by the government partner compared with a standard grant, aligning with the stated intent that universities collaborate with NASA. Cost sharing was explicitly not required, which lowers the barrier for university teams that may not have matching funds available. The maximum performance period was two years, structured with an initial first year and a second year that would only continue if sufficient progress was demonstrated during Year 1 and if NASA funds remained available. This makes Year 1 performance and milestone achievement especially important because continuation is not automatic.

Eligibility and participation rules were centered on U.S. higher education teams and student involvement. Participation was limited to U.S. college and university teams, and projects had to include undergraduate and/or graduate students in a meaningful way. The Principal Investigator submitting the proposal needed to be affiliated with a U.S. college or university, reinforcing that this is an academic-led partnership opportunity rather than an industry-led solicitation. Submissions were required to be electronic through NSPIRES, and the proposal had to be submitted by an Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR), meaning the institution’s official signatory rather than an individual researcher acting alone. NASA pointed applicants to both the SpaceTech-REDDI-2016 NRA instructions and the January 2015 Guidebook for Proposers as the governing references for formatting, required elements, and submission procedures, and it encouraged organizations to ensure they were registered in NSPIRES well before the deadline to avoid last-minute administrative issues.

For communications and updates, NASA advised interested teams to monitor NSPIRES or subscribe to its electronic notifications for the release of appendices and related information. Questions related to technical, programmatic, or procurement matters were directed to the NASA Contracting Officer, Rachel Khattab, via email, with the note that responses might also be posted in an FAQ associated with the appendix page in NSPIRES and that the anonymity of questioners would be preserved. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a targeted university-and-student-centered smallsat technology maturation program, tied to four specific capability areas and designed to move beyond concepts into demonstrable hardware, software, or integrated system advances that align with NASA mission priorities.

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