History of GSTP

In 1993, the GSTP was created with the aim of maturing space technologies that come from basic feasibility demonstrations and has grown into a programme relied upon by all 22 of ESA’s Member States, as well as Canada and Slovenia.

Timeline

• 1993: The GSTP was initiated on the 13^th of May 1993 
  • Following the Resolution ESA/C-M/XCVII/Res. 1 (Final) accepting the Agency's long-term space plan (ESA/C(91)38) as a strategic frame work for the period 1992-2005.
  • Budget represented 0.4% of the budget of the Agency.
  • Original Objective: “Ensure the continuation of developments which have achieved feasibility demonstration in the Basic TDE or national or European R&D programmes, prior to the adoption by the user programme”
• 2000: the TDP (Technology Demonstration Programme) became part of the GSTP -  PROBA-1 – Demonstration of in-orbit autonomy was the first in orbit demonstration project in GSTP. This scheme became Element 3 Fly
• 2001: GSTP supports FLPP with the creation of the Interim Period in GSTP supporting activities for future launcher and re-entry technology.
• 2003: GSTP introduces the scheme of Announcement of Opportunities supporting commercial industrial ideas. This scheme was converted in CM12 Element 2 Make and more than 200 activities implemented
• 2012: Cross cutting initiatives are introduced, ranging from Advanced Manufacturing to Artificial Intelligence and continues to this day to adapt and add new schemes e.g. Element 1 frameworks 
• 2018: Introduces frameworks such as the de-risk and building blocks
• 2018: Celebrates 25^th anniversary