# University Consortium for Space Research

**R-2A activity** of project 625018 — Spacecraft Protection Technology  
**Program element:** 1206601SF — Space Technology  
**Component:** U.S. Space Force · **Budget Activity:** 2  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/1206601SF/625018/a1  
**Parent:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/1206601SF/625018

## Summary

This activity requests $24.0M in FY2027, 49% of project 625018, up 9.1% 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.** Continue: -University led technical efforts under SSTI 2 for In-Space Operations to include inspection technology, multi-arm manipulator, deployable mesh, developing prototype of highly adaptive robotic grasping technologies as well as CubeSat-based flight, berthing, recharging, and refueling technologies. -University led technical efforts under SSTI 3 for Advanced Space Power and Propulsion. -University led technical efforts under SSTI 4 for Advanced Remote Sensing. -University led technical efforts under SSTI 5 for Cyber Mission Assurance and Data Trust. -Recompete University led technical efforts under SSTI 1 for xGEO and Space Domain Awareness. Commence: -International collaboration designed to bolster domestic SSTI capability delivery through shared resources and expertise.

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** FY 2027 increased compared to FY 2026 by $2.006 million due to an increase in international collaboration in support of domestic SSTI capability.

## Before the request year

**FY2026 plans — current year.** Continue: - University led technical efforts under SSTI 2 for In-Space Operations to include inspection technology, multi-arm manipulator, deployable mesh, developing prototype of highly adaptive robotic grasping technologies as well as CubeSat-based flight, berthing, recharging and refueling technologies. - University led technical efforts under SSTI 3 for Advanced Space Power and Propulsion. - University led technical efforts under SSTI 4 for Advanced Remote Sensing. Complete: - SSTI 1 for Beyond Geostationary Earth Orbit (xGEO) operations and Space Domain awareness, transitioning technologies Commence: - SSTI 5 Cyber Mission Assurance and Data Trust and recompete for the second iteration award of SSTI 1 Beyond Geostationary Earth Orbit (xGEO) Operations and Space Domain Awareness.

## Funding

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 16.4 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 22.0 |
| FY2027 | Request | 24.0 |

> 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 625018

- [Space Control](https://hitchintel.com/programs/1206601SF/625018/a0) — FY2027 25.1

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Air Force RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibit R-2A, PE 1206601SF project 625018 (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.*