Printed from https://fiscalreceipts.com/program/1206427SF/ — built September 26, 2026. Every figure is citation-backed; see the page online for per-number provenance.
Space Systems Prototype Transitions (SSPT)
Watch this program
Budget figures
FY2026 award data is a partial year — USAspending reports awards on a rolling basis, and this corpus runs through 2026-09-04. why partial FY2026 data? →
Budget trajectory
| Fiscal year | Amount |
|---|---|
| FY24 | $78.3M |
| FY25 | $115.7M |
| FY26 | $67.2M |
All series figures: R-1 TOA · PB2026
Decade view
P-1/R-1 workbook TOA basis, shown compact in $B/$M (the workbook records USD thousands); each figure cites its own President's Budget edition
The vertical scale does not start at zero: the baseline sits just below this program’s smallest year, so a low point on this line is not a small amount. Read the shape for direction and the grid below for the figures.
● actuals (line) · ○ enacted · ◇ request — gaps are editions the program is absent from, never interpolated.
| Series | FY19 | FY20 | FY21 | FY22 | FY23 | FY24 | FY25 | FY26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Actuals | $0 | $0 | $163.8M | $101.5M | $203.7M | $78.3M | ||
| Enacted | – | $0 | $151.6M | $91.9M | $166.4M | $145.9M | $115.7M | |
| Request | – | – | $142.8M | $101.9M | $106.3M | $145.9M | $133.7M | $67.2M |
blank = series not published for this year; – = absent from that edition.
Asked vs spent: the PB2023 book requested $106.3M for FY2023; the PB2025 book reported $203.7M as actual total obligation authority — $97.4M above the request. 203.7 − 106.3 = 97.4 USD millions — the compact figures above are rounded for reading.
Program lineage
No predecessor/successor lineage was recorded for this program element — no FY-to-FY transfer into or out of this line was stated in the ingested J-books, and none was inferred from the program structure.
Description
Mission — Space Systems Prototype Transitions (SSPT)
The Space Systems Prototype Transitions (SSPT) Program addresses space technology and capability gaps to facilitate technology transition of military space prototypes into programs of record. SSPT conducts an array of activities to model, integrate, test, provide launch integration for, and support on-orbit testing of prototype technologies. The supported activities include systems engineering, technology planning, development, demonstration and testing, as well as modeling, simulation, and exercises to support the development and maturation of tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs). This includes developing and prototyping critical technology within the DoD, other government agencies, academia, and industry partners, along with the necessary systems engineering for effective deployment. Project 645601, Space Defense Capabilities, prototypes technologies and facilitates informed insertion to programs of record and provides platforms to operate prototypes in space. Project 645611, Assault Breaker II (ABII), is an all-Service, classified, multi-year effort, led by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) to analyze, research, and recommend material and non-material solutions to the Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC). The SSPT Program establishes a cost-effective framework to identify, mature and transition demonstrations and prototypes to: -Rapidly address identified technology or capability gaps -Accelerate the maturation of systems intended for demonstrations/prototypes that enhance/compliment/replace existing capabilities -Support a more reliable, available, maintainable, and survivable military space enterprise -Energize the space industrial base supporting U.S. national security -Focus Science and Technology (S&T) Innovation and facilitate its transition to military space programs of record This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver Space Systems Prototype Transitions (SSPT) capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 1206392SF and 1206398SF. This effort is in Budget Activity 4, Advanced Component Development and Prototypes (ACD&P), because efforts are necessary to evaluate integrated technologies, representative modes or prototype systems in a high fidelity and realistic operating environment.
Mission — Space-to-Space Communications
The Space Defense Capabilities project prototypes technologies for insertion into programs of record and provides platforms to operate prototypes in space. The Long Duration Propulsive Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle Secondary Payload Adapter (abbreviated LDPE) and Rapid On-Orbit Space Technology Evaluation Ring (ROOSTER) provide a low-cost, rapid, and flexible on-orbit capability to host and deploy numerous prototypes and payloads in order to mature critical technologies and enable investment or divestment decisions. Each LDPE/ROOSTER on-orbit platform is designed to fly multiple payloads per mission, thus fully utilizing launch potential and providing the only recurring rideshare option for prototypes, demonstrations, and experiments to geosynchronous orbit. LDPE, consisting of the LDPE-1, -2, and -3A missions, concluded in FY 2024. The objectives of the ROOSTER program are to enable rapid and cost-effective technology insertion into operational programs of record through the on-orbit checkout and testing of prototypes, demonstrations, and experimental payloads. Additionally, ROOSTER will work to mature operational concepts and TTPs, such as on-obit refueling, for use within the United States Space Force (USSF) space enterprise architecture. Tetra provides a pathfinder to define future system architectures and operational concepts for several Space Domain Awareness (SDA) and Space Control programs and other mission partners, as well as prove prototype and experiment technologies for Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and other DoD labs. It serves as an additional platform to host prototype and experiment payloads that need to operate in concert with LDPEs or ROOSTERS. As a secondary mission, it provides a training platform for operators to develop and demonstrate tactics, techniques, and procedures for the evolution of operations and training in alignment with objectives from organizations such as the National Space Test and Training Complex (NSTTC) and USSF Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM). Quasi-Zenith Satellite System-Hosted Payload (QZSS-HP) has dual goals of enhancing the US-Japan alliance and proving the feasibility and capability of a SDA sensor payload able to be proliferated and hosted on US and non-US satellites. In addition to prototyping such a capability, it will serve as a dedicated sensor in the Space Surveillance Network, enhancing SDA in Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) over the Eurasian theater. Space-to-Space (S2S) Comms (funding transferring to PE 1203609SF in FY 2026) includes development of communications technologies to synchronize space-to-space Command and Control (C2) and data transport needs across the space community and enable system-agnostic communication pathways via a mobile ad-hoc network. It enhances the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Space-Based Adaptive Communication Node (SpaceBACN) modem design to support long-range crosslinks and incorporate emerging optical waveform standards. In cooperation with AFRL, it develops networking systems to manage the space data network. It also develops and maintains a communications testbed to mature communication waveforms and validate hardware. In 2024, Congress added funding for GEO SmallSat communications technology. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver Space Systems Prototype Transitions (SSPT) capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 1206392SF and 1206398SF. The FY 2026 request was reduced by $0.647M for Advisory and Assistance Services to promote efficiencies and advance the policies of the Administration in alignment with Executive Order 14222,"Implementing the President's Department of Government Efficiency Cost Efficiency Initiative."
Mission — Assault Breaker II
ABII is an all-Service, classified, multi-year effort, led by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) to analyze, research, and recommend material and non-material solutions to the Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC).
Justification
Accomplishments & Planned Programs (4)
Technology Maturation and Prototype Development
Plan, develop, test and transition advanced technologies into space system prototypes and capabilities to meet known and emerging threats. Conduct architecture studies, modeling and simulation, technical development, integration and test activities in preparation for transition of critical technologies into prototypes or space programs of record. Develop advanced capabilities for rapid prototyping and integration into space system programs of record and, if requested, to warfighter Urgent Operational Needs (UONs) and Joint Urgent Operational Needs (JUONs). Develop, test and integrate on-orbit platforms for checkout and testing of prototypes and experimental payloads to mature operational concepts and tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) for future use in the USSF space enterprise architecture. Provide rideshare platform hosting opportunities to geosynchronous orbit. Rapidly respond to implement system resiliency and situational awareness necessary to operate in the contested space domain. Activities may include, but are not limited to program office support, studies, technical analysis, experimentation, risk reduction, prototyping, and activities that may leverage commercial, U.S. Government partnership, and international opportunities to respond to existing and emerging adversarial threats with speed and agility.
Prototype Integration, Test and On-Orbit Prototype Demonstration
Provide rideshare opportunities for prototypes and experiments, fund mission-unique payload integration into the rideshare or launch system, and conduct launch base integration, testing, and launch operations. Conduct prototype integration and testing into the designated Command and Control system and provide operational support to conduct prototype testing, demonstration, and operations.
Space-To-Space Communications
Continue Space-to-Space (S2S) Communications activity through development of communications technologies to synchronize space-to-space Command and Control (C2) and data transport needs across the space community and enable system agnostic communication pathways via a mobile ad-hoc network. Enhance the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Space-Based Adaptive Communication Node (Space BACN) modem design to support long-range crosslinks and incorporate emerging optical waveform standards. Perform environmental testing to characterize the impacts of operating in the space environment and to mitigate those impacts if design modifications are necessary. Develop networking standards and systems to manage the space data network. Develop and maintains a communications testbed to mature communication waveforms and validate hardware.
Assault Breaker II (ABII)
ABII is an all-Service, classified, multi-year effort, OUSD(R&E)-led effort, to analyze, research, and recommend material and non-material solutions to the JROC.
Budget line items(workbook-cited)
P-1/R-1 workbook Total Obligation Authority basis (USD thousands) · PB2026.
Exhibit R-1
| Account | Org | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Space Force | F | FY24 Actuals | $78.3M |
| Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Space Force | F | FY25 Enacted | $115.7M |
| Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Space Force | F | FY25 Total | $115.7M |
| Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Space Force | F | FY26 Disc. Request | $67.2M |
| Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Space Force | F | FY26 Total | $67.2M |
Budget Details(R-2/P-40 facts)
J-book detail basis (R-2/P-40, USD millions) · PB2026 — a different accounting basis from the P-1/R-1 workbook TOA above; where the two disagree, the reconciliation strip under Budget figures shows both.
Wider than this screen — swipe the table sideways for the remaining fiscal-year columns.
| Project | All Prior Years | FY24 Actuals | FY25 Total | FY26 Base | FY26 Request |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Element | $0 | $78.3M | $115.7M | $67.2M | $67.2M |
| 645601: Space-to-Space Communications | $0 | $73.3M | $115.7M | $65.2M | $65.2M |
| 645611: Assault Breaker II | $0 | $5.00M | $0 | $2.00M | $2.00M |
Follow the dollar
Appropriation → program element → top high-confidence awards → recipient families → congressional districts.
Follow-the-dollar covers 312 of 1,938 programs — only high-confidence budget→award links are shown. why coverage is partial? →
The diagram illustrates the cited table below — amounts shown in the diagram are transaction sums per award (no citation chips); the per-district obligations in the table cite USAspending queries.
| District | Program obligations |
|---|---|
| VA-10 | $78.8M |
Related awards
Award linkage is shown for 32 of 200 profiled companies — high- and medium-confidence USAspending matches, each row labeled; medium is the weaker evidence. why partial award coverage? →
| Recipient | PIID | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION | FA881422C0004 | high |
Contractor concentration
No concentration index is published for this line. This line's high-confidence links do not clear the floor for a published concentration index — at least 3 awards across 2 contractor families holding positive obligations, with positive net linked dollars. An index below that floor is a fact about the sample, not about the market. Whatever further links this line carries are medium-confidence, and what each medium evidence path does and does not establish is set out in the methodology. Both bases are in the downloadable warehouse.
Lobbying mentions
No Senate LDA lobbying filing in the tracked data mentions this program element by code or alias.
Oversight
Department-level designation (not specific to this program)
GAO lists 5 high-risk areas for DOD as a whole. That designation covers the department, not Space Systems Prototype Transitions (SSPT). No program-specific GAO finding for this line is in the ingested data. See the DOD oversight record.
Program dossier
No research dossier for this program — dossiers cover 50 of 1,938 programs, the largest fully J-book-detailed lines by FY2026 requested dollars. why no dossier here? →
Primary sources
Open any budget figure for its exact receipt. Verified line items lead with the highlighted government PDF; original spreadsheets download with their budget edition and exhibit in the filename.
Budget totals · TOA sources
FY2026 Department of Defense Budget: RDT&E Programs (R-1) · comptroller.war.gov
Exhibit R-1 · J792
Complete workbook · unchanged saved copy. Saves as PB2026_DoD_R-1_Research-Development-Test-Evaluation.xlsx.
FY2021 Department of Defense Budget: RDT&E Programs (R-1) · comptroller.war.gov
Exhibit R-1 · J834
Complete workbook · unchanged saved copy. Saves as PB2021_DoD_R-1_Research-Development-Test-Evaluation.xlsx.
FY2022 Department of Defense Budget: RDT&E Programs (R-1) · comptroller.war.gov
Exhibit R-1 · J800
Complete workbook · unchanged saved copy. Saves as PB2022_DoD_R-1_Research-Development-Test-Evaluation.xlsx.
FY2023 Department of Defense Budget: RDT&E Programs (R-1) · comptroller.war.gov
Exhibit R-1 · J763
Complete workbook · unchanged saved copy. Saves as PB2023_DoD_R-1_Research-Development-Test-Evaluation.xlsx.
FY2024 Department of Defense Budget: RDT&E Programs (R-1) · comptroller.war.gov
Exhibit R-1 · J753
Complete workbook · unchanged saved copy. Saves as PB2024_DoD_R-1_Research-Development-Test-Evaluation.xlsx.
FY2025 Department of Defense Budget: RDT&E Programs (R-1) · comptroller.war.gov
Exhibit R-1 · J773
Complete workbook · unchanged saved copy. Saves as PB2025_DoD_R-1_Research-Development-Test-Evaluation.xlsx.
Detailed budget justification
The related TOA spreadsheets above use a different accounting basis from R-2/P-40 detail. Their amounts are not assumed to match these detailed sources.
FY2026 Space Force Research and Development Test and Evaluation · www.saffm.hq.af.mil
PDF page 223