U.S. Space Force Awards $44.8M for Space Power and Propulsion Research

Insider Brief

• The United States Space Force and the Air Force Research Laboratory have selected the Rochester Institute of Technology and the University of Michigan to lead the latest round of research on Advanced Space Power and Propulsion technologies.
• RIT received $9.9 million, while the University of Michigan was awarded $34.9 million. Both institutions will lead collaborative teams of academic and industry partners to explore advanced solar cell technology, thruster technology, and new approaches to space power.
• In FY24, the USSF provided $49.1 million under Institute 2 of the University Consortium/Space Strategic Technology Institute 3 program, focusing on space access, mobility, and logistics.

The United States Space Force (USSF) and the Air Force Research Laboratory announced they have selected the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and the University of Michigan to lead the latest round of research on Advanced Space Power and Propulsion (ASPP) technologies. The initiative is part of the USSF’s ongoing University Consortium/Space Strategic Technology Institute 3 program.

RIT received $9.9 million, while the University of Michigan was awarded $34.9 million. Both institutions will lead collaborative teams of academic and industry partners to explore advanced solar cell technology, thruster technology, and new approaches to space power. Their work aims to transition these technologies to the Department of Defense.

This announcement builds on previous funding efforts by the Space Force. In FY23, the USSF awarded $6.4 million under Space Strategic Technology Institute 1 for research in space domain awareness and challenges beyond geostationary orbit. In FY24, the USSF provided $49.1 million under Institute 2, focusing on space access, mobility, and logistics.

The Space Strategic Technology Institutes, established by the Space Force, aim to address critical challenges in space technology. They partner with universities to focus research on breakthroughs in the space domain. The goal is to develop testbeds, simulations, and prototypes that can be integrated into future U.S. government space architectures. Future funding will depend on the ability of these technologies to reach higher readiness levels.

Image credit: US Space Force