ISS National Lab launches accelerator program for space startups

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. - The International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory has launched the Orbital Edge Accelerator program, an initiative to support early-stage space startups with funding, mentorship, and research opportunities in low Earth orbit.

The program will select six startups to receive up to $500,000 each from investment partners Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI), E2MC, and Stellar Ventures. The chosen companies will also be able to conduct ISS National Lab-sponsored research in space.

“Engaging startups is a key priority for us,” the ISS National Lab said in a statement. “Access to space allows entrepreneurs to push the boundaries of science and technology in ways not possible on Earth.”

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Over the years, startups supported by the ISS National Lab have collectively raised nearly $2.4 billion in postflight funding, underscoring the commercial potential of space-based research. The accelerator aims to build on this success, fostering innovations in fields such as remote sensing, biotechnology, and advanced materials.

Dates of interest

TechConnect, a commercialization-focused organization, will help run the program, with Amazon Web Services (AWS) serving as a corporate partner. Applications are due by May 19, 2025, with selected finalists presenting their pitches virtually.

The six chosen startups will participate in the ISS Research and Development Conference in Seattle from July 28-31. A webinar providing details on the program will be held on 22 April. More information is available on the Orbital Edge Accelerator webpage: https://orbitaledge.techconnect.org/.