# Prototype Integration, Test and On-Orbit Prototype Demonstration

**R-2A activity** of project 645601 — Space Defense Capabilities  
**Program element:** 1206427SF — Space Systems Prototype Transitions (SSPT)  
**Component:** U.S. Space Force · **Budget Activity:** 4  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/1206427SF/645601/a1  
**Parent:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/1206427SF/645601

## Summary

This activity requests $21.6M in FY2027, 25% of project 645601, down 23% on FY2026. The R-2A exhibit describes it across FY2026–FY2027, including what the FY2027 money is planned to buy.

## What the FY2027 request buys

**FY2027 planned work.** - ROOSTER: For ROOSTER-4, finish payload integration; support launch integration and launch, pending updated launch plans. Begin the execution of the 12-month on-orbit prototype testing and demonstration phase. Conduct on-orbit tests and demonstrations to enable technology maturation. For ROOSTER-5, continue integrating manifested payloads, begin launch integration campaign, continue ground system development and testing. Begin mission CONOP development. For ROOSTER-6, develop tunable payload dispensers with standardized interfaces to reduce payload integration costs and increase rideshare hosting opportunities for rapid needs. - Tetra: Finish integration, storage and operations to support future launch of Tetra 5 and 6 space vehicles, pending updated launch plans. - Quasi-Zenith Satellite System-Hosted Payload (QZSS-HP): Continue international cooperation with Japan via ongoing on-orbit testing and experimentation of HP-1 as well as final integration, launch, initial on-orbit testing, and experimentation of HP-2. Support sensor calibration, on-orbit experimentation, data validation/dissemination, and preparations for on-orbit operational leave-behind of both HPs.

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** FY 2027 decreased by $6.450 million due to completion of the integration activities of Rapid On-Orbit Space Technology Evaluation Ring (ROOSTER)-4, Tetra-5a, and QZSS-HP QZS 7-HP.

## Before the request year

**FY2026 plans — current year.** - ROOSTER: For ROOSTER-4, complete payload integration; support launch integration and launch; and begin the execution of the 12-month on-orbit prototype testing and demonstration phase. Conduct on-orbit tests and demonstrations to enable technology maturation. For ROOSTER-5, continue payload integration for manifested payloads; begin ground system development, integration, and testing. - Tetra: Continue integration, storage and operations to support future launch of Tetra 3, 4 & 5 space vehicles in FY 2026, pending updated launch plans. - QZSS-HP: Continue international cooperation with Japan via on-orbit testing and experimentation of HP-1 as well as final integration, launch and initial testing of HP-2. Support sensor calibration, on-orbit experimentation, and data validation/dissemination.

## Funding

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 22.6 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 28.0 |
| FY2027 | Request | 21.6 |

> Prior, current and budget year only — an R-2A activity carries no five-year plan. It sums exactly into its project in the request year and not necessarily in any other.

## Other activities in project 645601

- [Technology Maturation and Prototype Development](https://hitchintel.com/programs/1206427SF/645601/a0) — FY2027 46.1
- [Space-To-Space Communications](https://hitchintel.com/programs/1206427SF/645601/a2) — FY2027 20.1

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Air Force RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibit R-2A, PE 1206427SF project 645601 (PB PB2027). Narrative is the government's own text.
- **No marks, no contractors at this grain** — congressional marks land on the program element and R-3 performers on the project.
- **MCP:** `mcp.hitchintel.com` — `budget_get_activity`.

*HitchAI is an independent intelligence service, not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense. Budget figures are requests/estimates, not obligations.*