Student Explorer Demonstration
Initiative (STEDI)
Overview
The Student Explorer Demonstration Initiative (STEDI) is a pilot program designed to
assess the efficacy of smaller, low-cost space-flight missions and to test the proposition
STEDI is funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and
managed by the Universities Space Research Association (USRA).
The STEDI program consists of three phases: Phase I, mission definition; Phase II, mission implementation; and Phase III, mission operations and data analysis.
Background
On 12 May 1994, USRA issued the STEDI Announcement of Opportunity inviting
proposals for the missions in the pilot program. The opportunity was restricted to
missions in (a) space science; e.g., astrophysics, earth sciences, life and biomedical
sciences and applications, microgravity sciences and applications, solar system
exploration, space physics, etc., and (b) space technology development. This opportunity
was open to investigators at U.S. organizations in all categories (i.e., educational,
industrial, nonprofit and governmental institutions, including NASA organizations).
Teaming among organizations was encouraged. Ninety-eight teams
responded to the STEDI solicitation with notices of intent, and sixty-six submitted
proposals for consideration by 1 August 1994.
Six missions were selected for Phase I , The four-month Phase I mission definition period concluded in February, 1995 with each of the candidate mission
teams presenting a detailed design for the mission, spacecraft, and payload, as well as a
detailed development plan. Following the down-select review, two teams were selected as prime and one as alternate up for Phase II . STEDI launches are planned for March and April,
1997.