Introduction
Welcome to the Testbeds and Proving Grounds for Space (TB&PGS) catalog. This platform serves as a unified access point for locating and securing space test services, addressing a core challenge within the space enterprise community: the “flight-proven” paradox.
Products and services must be demonstrated in operational environments (i.e., flight-proven) before they can be deployed in actual missions. However, achieving flight-proven status is often hindered by siloed test facilities and disparate access protocols. The TB&PGS catalog bridges this gap by providing centralized visibility into available testing resources.
Purpose
The TB&PGS platform serves to:
- Centralize Information: Provide a single source of truth for all space testbed and proving ground facilities
- Enable Discovery: Help researchers and organizations find the right facilities for their needs
- Facilitate Collaboration: Connect facility operators with potential users
- Track Capabilities: Maintain up-to-date information about facility specifications and capabilities
Using the Platform
Explorer
The Explorer page displays the complete catalog of available test services. Each entry provides detailed information including parent organization, capability categories, contact details, and facility specifications. Use the filtering options and search functionality to quickly locate facilities that match your testing requirements.
Metrics
The Metrics page is currently under development. Once completed, it will display capabilities currently being tested at catalog facilities, their development phases, and visual analytics to provide quick insights into active testing activities across the ecosystem.
Definitions
General Terms
Testbed: A controlled environment—typically ground-based or digital—used for early-stage experimentation, research and development, and validation of scientific theories or new technologies. Testbeds focus on maturing specific components or algorithms (such as robotic docking procedures) before they are ready for complex mission integration.
Proving Ground: A realistic, high-fidelity environment—typically in deep space such as cislunar orbit—where integrated systems undergo final operational readiness and suitability evaluations. Proving grounds demonstrate that complex systems of systems can function independently of continuous Earth-based support under actual mission conditions.
Other: Facilities that do not align with the primary testbed or proving ground classifications. While testbeds and proving grounds in this catalog are specifically designed to qualify space hardware at the component, subsystem, or system level beyond initial technology development phases, certain facilities may serve alternative or complementary roles within the space testing ecosystem. Such entries are designated as “Other” to maintain catalog comprehensiveness while preserving classification integrity.
Data Fields
Required Fields
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Official name of the facility |
| Tagline | Brief description of the testbed or proving ground |
| Type | Classification: “Testbed/Proving Ground” or “Other” |
| Organization | Parent organization operating the facility |
| Primary Contact | Main point of contact including name, email, and phone |
Optional Fields
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Description | Detailed description of the facility and its capabilities |
| Secondary Contact | Additional point of contact |
| Address | Physical location of the facility |
| Categories | List of capability categories |
| Membership | Space ISAC membership status |
Detail Fields (Optional)
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Access | Availability and scheduling process for facility use, including demand management procedures |
| IP Handling | Intellectual property protection policies and procedures |
| Process | Testing workflow including test plan development, execution, customer collaboration, and validation of results against operational requirements (e.g., correlation with on-orbit data) |
| Results | Deliverables and distribution methods for test results, including output formats, delivery mechanisms, certifications, and documentation |
| Prioritization | Scheduling methodology for determining testing order and queue management |
| Credentials | Relevant standards and certifications (e.g., IEEE, ISO) that establish trust and confidence in test results |
| Price | Fee structure (e.g., $/hour, $/test) or pricing model description |
| Security | Security measures for personnel, test infrastructure, and tested capabilities |
| Supply Chain | Supply chain assessment capabilities, including visibility into capability owner financial health and supply chain dependencies |
How to Contribute
The TB&PGS catalog thrives as a collaborative effort between testbed and proving ground providers, capability developers, and the broader space enterprise community. We welcome contributions to keep the database comprehensive and current.
Data Quality Guidelines
When contributing facility information, please ensure:
- All required fields are completed accurately
- Contact information is current and verified
- Categories precisely reflect facility capabilities
- Descriptions are clear, concise, and professional
Internal Users
If you are accessing this platform internally from The Aerospace Corporation, you have permissions to add and edit database entries directly. Please exercise care to maintain data quality and accuracy.
Adding a New Entry
- Navigate to the Explorer page
- Click the “Add Entry” button
- Complete all required fields and relevant optional fields
- Submit as a draft for Aerospace Corporation team review before publishing
Editing an Existing Entry
- Navigate to the Explorer page
- Click the edit icon on the facility card you wish to modify
- Update the necessary fields with accurate information
- Submit your changes
External Users
External users can request new entries or modifications to existing entries by contacting us at ASC-100@aero.org. To expedite the process, please reference the data fields listed above and provide complete information about your facility.
Technical Details
Technology Stack
- Frontend: SvelteKit 2 with Svelte 5
- Styling: Tailwind CSS 4
- Forms: Sveltekit-superforms with Zod validation
- API: RESTful backend with authentication
Browser Support
The platform supports all modern browsers:
- Chrome/Edge (last 2 versions)
- Firefox (last 2 versions)
- Safari (last 2 versions)
Accessibility
The TB&PGS platform is designed with accessibility as a core priority:
- WCAG 2.1 AA compliant
- Full keyboard navigation support
- Screen reader compatible
- High contrast mode support
Getting Help
For assistance, please review this documentation thoroughly first. If you have additional questions or need to report a bug, contact the website owners at ASC-100@aero.org.
Last updated: March 2026