# STP P80-2

> cancelled American research spacecraft

**Wikidata**: [Q112943486](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112943486)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/stp-p80-2

## Summary
STP P80-2 was a cancelled American research satellite developed by the United States Air Force. It was designed as part of the Space Test Program (STP) and was based on the Agena D spacecraft bus. The project was abandoned before launch, with key details including its mass of 2,430 kilograms and solar array power.

## Key Facts
- **Class**: Research satellite
- **Status**: Cancelled project
- **Mass**: 2,430 kilograms
- **Operator**: United States Air Force
- **Powered by**: Spacecraft solar array (4 arrays) and Bell Model 8096
- **Manufacturers**: Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space, Ball Aerospace & Technologies, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
- **Spacecraft bus**: Agena D
- **Country of origin**: United States
- **NSSDCA ID**: P80-2

## FAQs
### Q: What was STP P80-2?
A: STP P80-2 was a cancelled American research satellite developed by the U.S. Air Force. It was based on the Agena D spacecraft bus and intended for scientific research, but the project was abandoned before launch.

### Q: Who operated STP P80-2?
A: The United States Air Force was the operator of STP P80-2. The satellite was part of their Space Test Program (STP).

### Q: What was the mass of STP P80-2?
A: STP P80-2 had a mass of 2,430 kilograms. The satellite was powered by a spacecraft solar array and the Bell Model 8096.

### Q: Who manufactured STP P80-2?
A: STP P80-2 was manufactured by Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space, Ball Aerospace & Technologies, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

### Q: What spacecraft bus was STP P80-2 based on?
A: STP P80-2 was based on the Agena D spacecraft bus, a common design for research satellites of the era.

## Why It Matters
STP P80-2 was part of the U.S. Air Force's Space Test Program, which aimed to advance satellite technology and scientific research. The project was notable for its collaboration between multiple aerospace firms, including Lockheed Martin, Ball Aerospace, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Despite being cancelled, it reflects the broader efforts of the 1960s and 1970s to expand space-based research capabilities. The satellite's design, based on the Agena D bus, was a common architecture for research satellites at the time, demonstrating the Air Force's commitment to developing reusable and adaptable spacecraft.

## Notable For
- **Cancelled Project**: STP P80-2 was abandoned before launch, highlighting the challenges of space research in the mid-20th century.
- **Multi-Contractor Collaboration**: The satellite's development involved Lockheed Martin, Ball Aerospace, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, showcasing the coordinated efforts of major aerospace firms.
- **Agena D Bus**: The use of the Agena D spacecraft bus was a strategic choice, leveraging an existing design for research purposes.
- **Solar Array Power**: The satellite was equipped with a spacecraft solar array, a common power source for research satellites of the era.
- **U.S. Air Force Initiative**: STP P80-2 was part of the Air Force's broader Space Test Program, reflecting its role in advancing space technology.

## Body
### Overview
STP P80-2 was a research satellite developed by the United States Air Force as part of the Space Test Program (STP). The project was based on the Agena D spacecraft bus and was intended for scientific research. However, the satellite was cancelled before launch.

### Specifications
- **Mass**: 2,430 kilograms
- **Power Source**: Spacecraft solar array (4 arrays) and Bell Model 8096
- **Spacecraft Bus**: Agena D
- **Manufacturers**: Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space, Ball Aerospace & Technologies, Jet Propulsion Laboratory

### Operator and Origin
- **Operator**: United States Air Force
- **Country of Origin**: United States

### Classification and Status
- **Class**: Research satellite
- **Status**: Cancelled project

### Identification
- **NSSDCA ID**: P80-2

The project's cancellation highlights the complexities and uncertainties involved in space research during the mid-20th century. Despite its abandonment, STP P80-2 remains a notable example of the Air Force's efforts to advance satellite technology and scientific exploration.

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/p80-2.htm)