P3 PRELUDE

What Your Donation Supports

Donations support the San Diego Space Institute (501(c)(3) public charity) and the P3 PRELUDE program. P3 PRELUDE is taking a radiation-sensor payload from a design on paper to a flight-ready system delivered to Symphony. Funding is released stage by stage as each milestone is proven — so your gift goes exactly where it is needed and nothing moves forward until the evidence is there.

General Donation

Support SDSI's applied research programs broadly. Contributions are directed at the institute's discretion toward the areas of greatest need across all programs.

SDSI is a 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 39-2191995). All donations are tax-deductible.

Donate Now
Stage 1: Build and Prove the Sensor Active Now
$40,000

We are raising $40,000 to take the radiation sensor from a design on paper to a working prototype with real test data. Every contribution brings us closer to that goal. When Stage 1 is complete, we will have a sensor that demonstrably works, a written record of design decisions, and a complete review package that outside reviewers can evaluate.

Engineering team and specialists Detector prototype parts Circuit boards Lab equipment and test supplies Design review preparation SDSU student support Program reserve
Raised $0
Goal $40,000
Donate to Stage 1
Stage 2: Lock the Final Design Opens After Stage 1
$44,000

Takes the proven sensor prototype through detailed engineering work to produce a final, flight-ready design. Stage 2 ends with a locked design package that can move directly into hardware build.

Detailed engineering and analysis Final design documentation Component qualification testing Interface verification
Stage 3: Build for Space Opens After Stage 2
$133,000

Builds the actual flight hardware from the locked design and puts it through the environmental testing needed to prove it can survive launch and operate in space.

Flight hardware build Vibration and shock testing Thermal vacuum testing Space qualification
Stage 4: Launch Ready Opens After Stage 3
$68,000

Completes final payload testing and delivers the flight-ready sensor to Symphony for integration and launch. This is the last step before the mission reaches orbit.

Final acceptance testing Launch preparation Delivery to Symphony Mission handoff