The United States Space Force (USSF) has selected Texas A&M University (TAMU) to lead the Space Strategic Technology Institute for In-Space Operations (SSTI-ISO), a groundbreaking initiative to advance technologies for in-space operations, and Aegis Aerospace Inc. announced that it is an industry partner of the new institute.
According to TAMU and the USSF, the SSTI-ISO will develop new in-space operations, infuse new technologies into industrial efforts and government laboratories as well as provide access to workforce, talent, and subject matter experts for defense space missions. The intent is for the research to lead to testbeds, high fidelity modeling and simulations, demonstrations, and prototypes.
Aegis Aerospace anticipates supporting the Institute and the University in a variety of ways, including hosting students/student internships, technology development projects, and in-space technology testing using its Space Testing as a Service (STaaSTM) platforms on the International Space Station (ISS) and the lunar surface.
“Aegis Aerospace has long and close ties with both Texas A&M University and the U.S. Space Force,” said Aegis Aerospace Founder and CEO, Stephanie Muñiz Murphy. “Space technology developed for the Space Force through this world-leading institute can also have civil applications with NASA and private applications within the commercial space industry, where we are a national leader. We look forward to working with the outstanding team the university has assembled to help ensure that the U.S. remains the world leader in space technology and the commercial space economy.”
The United States Space Force is establishing Space Strategic Technology Institutes to address space Science and Technology challenges through a network of partnered universities. Space Force envisions the institutes will facilitate and focus joint applied research on transformational space domain technology breakthroughs and developments that lead to the advancement of capabilities that can be transitioned and integrated into current and future USSF and U.S. government space capabilities. It is highly desired for the research to lead to testbeds, high fidelity modeling and simulations, demonstrations, and prototypes. The research is expected to transition technology to higher technology readiness levels throughout the period of performance, and out years will be awarded based on an evaluation of this ability. A link to the RFI solicitation is available here.
