The Technology and Mission Development Program focuses on improving the capabilities of the Lab and ensuring new opportunities for its students. As the name implies, this program focuses on developing technology and planning future missions.

The technology development side of the program allows for the development of technology outside of a specific flight project. This typically occurs for one of two reasons: a technology addresses a specific student interest that may benefit future SSPL efforts, or the technology is identified as mission-enabling or mission-enhancing for future efforts.

The mission development side of the program focuses on identifying and pursuing new projects and funding through proposals or other similar means. Also viewed as critical to the students’ training, SSPL ensures that students are involved in the proposal process.

Infrastructure Development Program

In addition to component-level research and development, the Lab oversees the development of new facilities to enhance the development, testing, and integration of SSPL projects. One of the program’s key objectives is to create a vertically integrated laboratory where the dependence on outside facilities or services is minimized.