Opportunity Information: Apply for NNH17ZOA001N 17STP E1
NASA Headquarters, through its Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD), released the Smallsat Technology Partnerships (STP) solicitation as Appendix E1 under the broader SpaceTech-REDDI-2017 NASA Research Announcement. The opportunity is aimed at pushing forward small spacecraft (smallsat) capabilities by funding university-led work that develops space technologies described as unique, disruptive, or transformational. The central theme is to make future missions faster to develop, more capable in terms of what they can do, and more affordable than traditional approaches, with an emphasis on technologies that specifically benefit small spacecraft and the kinds of mission architectures where smallsats have clear advantages.
The program’s objectives focus on advancing development projects and demonstration efforts that expand what small spacecraft can realistically accomplish. This includes enabling entirely new mission architectures tailored to smallsats, increasing the ability of small spacecraft to operate at new destinations and in more challenging environments, and allowing small spacecraft to augment existing assets or planned missions by serving as supporting or complementary elements. In other words, NASA is looking for work that helps smallsats move beyond basic Earth-orbit demonstrations into roles that meaningfully change how missions are designed, deployed, and operated.
Proposals under this appendix must align with one of three specific technical topics. The first topic is Instrument Technologies for Small Spacecraft, which targets sensors and instrument systems designed to fit within the size, power, and cost constraints of small platforms without sacrificing performance. The second topic is Technologies That Enable Large Swarms of Small Spacecraft, reflecting interest in coordination, communication, autonomy, navigation, and systems engineering approaches that make it feasible to operate many spacecraft together as a swarm. The third topic is Technologies That Enable Deep Space Small Spacecraft Missions, which points to capabilities needed for smallsats to function beyond Earth orbit, such as deep-space communications approaches, propulsion or navigation improvements, autonomy, radiation-tolerant subsystems, or other enabling technologies that reduce reliance on large spacecraft infrastructure.
Eligibility is limited to accredited U.S. universities, including public/state-controlled and private institutions of higher education. A key requirement is teaming with a NASA Center, meaning the university proposal must be developed in partnership with NASA personnel and capabilities as laid out in the appendix’s teaming and eligibility rules. This structure signals that NASA expects close collaboration and a clear pathway for technology maturation and eventual infusion into NASA missions or mission concepts, rather than purely academic research with no near-term application.
Administratively, the funding instrument is a grant, categorized under science and technology research and development (CFDA 43.012). The opportunity listing indicates an award ceiling of $400,000 and an expectation of about five awards. The timeline required a mandatory Notice of Intent by August 21, 2017 (5:00 pm Eastern), with full proposals due by September 20, 2017 (5:00 pm Eastern), and a target selection announcement in November 2017. The solicitation and submission process runs through NASA’s NSPIRES system (nspires.nasaprs.com) under open solicitations, where applicants would locate Smallsat Technology Partnerships (STP) associated with the SpaceTech-REDDI-2017 NRA.
For questions, NASA directed technical, programmatic, and procurement inquiries to HQ-STMD-SST-Partnerships@nasaprs.com. Responses were to be provided by email and could also be folded into an FAQ posted with the appendix on NSPIRES, with NASA noting that the identities of individuals or institutions submitting questions would be kept anonymous.Apply for NNH17ZOA001N 17STP E1
- The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA Headquarters in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "SpaceTech-REDDI-2017 Appendix E1: Smallsat Technology Partnerships" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 43.012.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 17, 2017.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 21, 2017. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $400,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.
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Smallsat Technology Partnerships (STP) - Appendix E1 (SpaceTech-REDDI-2017) FAQs
What is the Smallsat Technology Partnerships (STP) opportunity?
Smallsat Technology Partnerships (STP) is a NASA Headquarters opportunity released through the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) as Appendix E1 under the broader SpaceTech-REDDI-2017 NASA Research Announcement. It is intended to advance small spacecraft (smallsat) capabilities by funding university-led technology development and demonstration work.
What is NASA trying to achieve with this solicitation?
The central theme is to enable future missions that are faster to develop, more capable, and more affordable than traditional approaches. The focus is on technologies that specifically benefit small spacecraft and mission architectures where smallsats offer clear advantages.
What kinds of projects is NASA looking for?
NASA is seeking technology development projects and demonstration efforts described as unique, disruptive, or transformational, with clear relevance to expanding what small spacecraft can realistically accomplish.
How is "smallsat" work expected to impact missions?
The solicitation emphasizes helping smallsats move beyond basic Earth-orbit demonstrations into roles that can change how missions are designed, deployed, and operated, including new architectures and more challenging destinations or environments.
What are the program objectives for STP?
Objectives include: (1) enabling entirely new mission architectures tailored to smallsats, (2) increasing smallsat capability to operate at new destinations and in more challenging environments, and (3) enabling smallsats to augment existing assets or planned missions as supporting or complementary elements.
What technical topics can proposals address?
Proposals must align with one of three topics: (1) Instrument Technologies for Small Spacecraft, (2) Technologies That Enable Large Swarms of Small Spacecraft, or (3) Technologies That Enable Deep Space Small Spacecraft Missions.
What does "Instrument Technologies for Small Spacecraft" mean in this appendix?
This topic targets sensors and instrument systems designed to fit within small platform constraints (size, power, and cost) while maintaining strong performance.
What does "Technologies That Enable Large Swarms of Small Spacecraft" focus on?
This topic reflects interest in capabilities that make it feasible to operate many spacecraft together as a swarm, including coordination, communication, autonomy, navigation, and systems engineering approaches.
What does "Technologies That Enable Deep Space Small Spacecraft Missions" include?
This topic points to capabilities needed for smallsats to function beyond Earth orbit, such as deep-space communications approaches, propulsion or navigation improvements, autonomy, radiation-tolerant subsystems, and other enabling technologies that reduce reliance on large spacecraft infrastructure.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to accredited U.S. universities, including public/state-controlled and private institutions of higher education.
Is a NASA Center partnership required?
Yes. A key requirement is teaming with a NASA Center. University proposals must be developed in partnership with NASA personnel and capabilities, consistent with the appendix's teaming and eligibility rules.
What does the NASA Center teaming requirement imply about the type of work NASA wants?
It signals NASA expects close collaboration and a clear pathway for technology maturation and eventual infusion into NASA missions or mission concepts, rather than purely academic research with no near-term application.
What funding instrument will NASA use for awards?
The funding instrument is a grant.
How is this opportunity categorized for federal assistance purposes?
It is categorized under science and technology research and development, CFDA 43.012.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling listed is $400,000.
How many awards does NASA expect to make?
The opportunity indicates an expectation of about five awards.
Was a Notice of Intent (NOI) required?
Yes. A Notice of Intent was mandatory.
What was the NOI deadline?
The mandatory NOI deadline was August 21, 2017 at 5:00 pm Eastern.
What was the full proposal deadline?
Full proposals were due September 20, 2017 at 5:00 pm Eastern.
When did NASA target a selection announcement?
The target selection announcement timing was November 2017.
Where do applicants find the solicitation and submit materials?
The solicitation and submission process runs through NASA's NSPIRES system at nspires.nasaprs.com, under open solicitations, where applicants would locate Smallsat Technology Partnerships (STP) associated with the SpaceTech-REDDI-2017 NRA.
How is this opportunity positioned within NASA's broader solicitation structure?
STP was released as Appendix E1 under the broader SpaceTech-REDDI-2017 NASA Research Announcement.
Who should applicants contact with technical, programmatic, or procurement questions?
NASA directed inquiries to HQ-STMD-SST-Partnerships@nasaprs.com.
How were answers to submitted questions handled?
Responses were provided by email and could also be incorporated into an FAQ posted with the appendix on NSPIRES.
Would NASA keep question submitters confidential?
Yes. NASA noted that the identities of individuals or institutions submitting questions would be kept anonymous.
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