Technological Support (GSTP)

GSTP (General Support Technology Programme) is an ESA programme in which Belgium participates It covers the development of space technologies for all domains except for telecommunications (which are addressed in the ARTES Programme), every member state can determine its own priorities and support accordingly.
In the framework of the GSTP, technology developments are supported for the following objectives:

• To mature technologies and demonstrate their functioning, and therefore to make the use of these technologies possible for spaceflight in other ESA programmes or commercial ventures.
• To create, strengthen and extend the industrial expertise, with the goal of increasing the competitive position of the industry and to diminish the European dependency regarding critical components.

The GSTP programme consists of several Elements:

GSTP Develop: technologies and applications for the future
GSTP Make: Commercial developments
GSTP Fly: in-orbit demonstrations
GSTP PFFD: element dedicated to the PROBA-3 mission

The specific objectives for the different elements are as follows:

Element 1 "Develop": Technology developments for future mission, terrestrial applications and tools.
The activities performed under Element 1 aim to develop technologies, building blocks, components or test benches of a low TRL (Technology Readiness Level) up until the level of qualification. These activities can be performed by all economic actors, such as SMEs, large enterprises, satellite operators and builders, but also by universities and research organisations.
The activities cover the following space domains:

• earth observation;
• space sciences;
• robotic exploration;
• human spaceflight and exploration
• Space transportation and re-entry technologies;
• navigation;
• Space safety;
• generic technologies and transversal technologies, such as clean space, advanced manufacturing and space technologies, ... ;
• technology transfer.

Element 2 "Make": Development of technologies and products for the commercial market. The activities performed under Element 2 are co-financed by industry and aim at:

• Strengthening the competitiveness at a global level of new and existing markets;
• The development of products as answer to gaps in the supply chain, for instance because of new environmental regulations, the development of breakthrough technologies or other causes. 

Element 3 "Fly": In-orbit demonstration of new technologies, preparation of future missions and small missions. Activities performed under element 3 aim at:

• Implementing in-orbit demonstrations of technologies for products with a need of flight heritage, for hosted payloads or for complete missions (small spacecraft, cubesats, etc.);
• perfoming research and studies in preparation of future mission, especially for breakthrough and new generation missions;
• the execution of ad hoc small missions.

Flights under this element of the GSTP are operated under the status of national missions or activities and are subject to the legal framework of the responsible Member State.

Precise Formation Flying Demonstration component
This component has the aim of implementing phases C, D and E of the Proba-3 mission (2 satellites) that has as a goal to demonstrate technologies related to very precise formation flying of satellites. The Proba 3 mission is being developed by a consortium supported by 15 Member states.