For some technologies and techniques and some new applications, it is deemed necessary to complete the development cycle going up to in-orbit demonstration (TRL 9). Also new practices, techniques and tools for design, development, verification and mission operations need to be exercised in small, yet representative, missions.
To reach this goal, since 2000 ESA has begun small sat missions (IOD missions) and since 2013 CubeSat missions. They are funded under the In-Orbit Demonstration part (Fly Element) of the General Support Technology Programme (GSTP).
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