STAR

Space Technologies and Aeronautical Research Administration

Emblem
Agency overview
Formed	March 18, 1955 (1955-03-18)
Preceding	RepAer (1908-1955)
Jurisdiction	Republican Government
Headquarters	Thessalona, Belfras
Motto	"Semper Sollicitus" (Latin: "Always Striving") (official)
Employees	19,103
Annual budget	B$22.7 billion (FY 2017)
Agency executives	Roberto Nespoli, administrator Samantha Albeno, deputy administrator
Website	www.STAR.bel

The Space Technologies and Aeronautical Research Administration (STARA or more commonly STAR) is the Belfrasian Government's civilian space program which also acts as the the government's chief aerospace and aeronautical research agency. The organisation, an independent executive agency, was founded on March 18, 1955 under President Enzo Venatori in the passing of the Space Technologies and Research act (STAR) which called for the scrapping of the defunct Republic Aeronautical Research and Advisory Committee (RepAer). The resulting agency styled itself on the act's name, matching the abbreviation and referring to itself by the abbreviation since. The mission of STAR from the outset has remained to modern times, calling on the agency to "Pioneer the future in space exploration, aeronautical research, and scientific discovery."

Since the foundation of STAR, almost all space exploration conducted by the Belfrasian government has been under it's jurisdiction. The agency has been responsible for concepting, planning, and executing numerous programs such as a series of moon landings, the space shuttle program, and since the shuttle's retirement the Vinci Launch System (VLS) was designed by STAR for continued orbital service, citing that a capsule system was simpler, cheaper, and much safer. STAR stated that the shuttle, when fully loaded, weighed almost 110,000 kg and delivered almost 27,000 kg into orbit, a feat easily accomplished by much simpler and cheaper methods. The shuttle was designed specifically to be able to return satellites to the space center for refurbishment and repairs, but for safety reasons this was never accomplished. STAR operates several launch, assembly, and research facilities throughout the Republic, with the most well known being Galileo Space Center in Agonon.

Spaceflight programs

Manned programs

Pioneer Base Program (2004-present)

Main article: Pioneer Program

Launch vehicle fleet

Taurus Launch System

A crewed Taurus-I launch vehicle standing by to launch at Galileo Space Center.