stex

STEX will test lightweight, high performance spacecraft technologies that have been proven in the laboratory aboard an experimental satellite. The experiment helps the NRO decide if the technology under testing is right, if it can be effectively incorporated into an operational spaceflight system, and if it can be operated in space. Its experiments could provide potential improvements in spacecraft technology for both military and civil satellites.

The Space Technology Experiment (STEX) is a National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) program undertaken to meet a national
need to improve the performance of overhead intelligence collection systems while reducing costs.