Nanoracks LLC is America’s first commercial space station company. Founded in 2009, the team set out to make space more accessible through clever hardware and services.
Voyager Space owns Nanoracks now, and the company works closely with NASA and other international space agencies.
Jeffrey Manber and Charles Miller kicked things off in 2009 with a pretty bold goal. They wanted to offer commercial hardware and services for research on the International Space Station.
Nanoracks signed its first NASA contract in September 2009. Just a few months later, by April 2010, their first lab was running on the Space Station.
The headquarters sits in Houston, Texas, but they’ve got people in Washington D.C., Abu Dhabi, and Turin, Italy too. This global footprint helps support more than 100 employees working both on Earth and in orbit.
Ownership Evolution:
Nanoracks has racked up several industry firsts. In 2013, they became the first company to deploy small satellites from the ISS. By 2015, they had already deployed 64 satellites into low Earth orbit.
In 2022, Nanoracks did something wild—they became the first to cut metal in space.
Nanoracks wants to make space available to commercial, government, and research customers everywhere. Since they started, they’ve launched over 1,300 payloads to the International Space Station.
Their main services include satellite deployment, research payload management, and building out space infrastructure. Nanoracks manages the Bishop Airlock, which is actually the first permanent commercial addition to the ISS.
They build tools and hardware so organizations can do research in space. Their facilities support experiments in microgravity, materials testing, and satellite deployments.
Primary Service Areas:
Nanoracks really believes commercial use of space sparks innovation in areas like pharmaceuticals, fiber optics, and environmental monitoring. Their vision is all about making space a useful platform for science and business.
NASA plays a central role as Nanoracks’ main institutional partner, thanks to Space Act Agreements. Nanoracks leases lab space on the ISS from NASA, which gives them access to the U.S. National Laboratory.
Voyager Space, as the parent company, guides strategic direction and provides funding. This relationship puts Nanoracks inside a bigger space tech ecosystem focused on commercial development.
International Partnerships:
Nanoracks teams up with Thales Alenia Space and Boeing to create new hardware. These collaborations led to the Bishop Airlock module, which launched to the ISS in December 2020 on SpaceX CRS-21.
They also work with launch providers like SpaceX and Orbital ATK. These partnerships open up a range of deployment options for customer payloads and satellites.
Nanoracks leads the way as the main commercial service provider on the International Space Station. Since 2009, they’ve managed more than 1,300 research experiments and deployed over 300 small satellites.
The company works directly with NASA through Space Act Agreements. They also partner with international space agencies to open up low-Earth orbit for more commercial use.
Nanoracks turned the ISS into a commercial laboratory by building out a robust hardware and services infrastructure. They run several facilities aboard the station, like the Plate Reader-2 spectrophotometer and multiple NanoLab units.
These NanoLabs have supported experiments from more than 30 countries. That’s pretty impressive reach.
The Bishop Airlock, which launched in December 2020, is probably their biggest contribution to the ISS so far. This privately-funded module lets them deploy CubeSats, small satellites, and external payloads right from the station.
Thales Alenia Space and Boeing helped build the airlock, which really expanded what the ISS can do for commercial customers.
Nanoracks leases lab space from NASA to provide research opportunities. Their External Platform (NREP) lets payloads experience the raw space environment, with the option to return experiments to Earth.
The platform follows CubeSat form factors, enabling materials tests, sensor validation, and Earth observation missions.
NASA and Nanoracks joined forces in 2009, when the agency awarded them their first contract in September. By April 2010, Nanoracks had become the first commercial lab operator in low-Earth orbit.
This collaboration centers around the U.S. National Laboratory designation of the ISS. Nanoracks supports experiments for NASA, CASIS, and commercial clients using standardized hardware.
Their CubeSat deployment services use the Japanese Kibō module’s airlock system. Back in 2013, Nanoracks became the first to coordinate small satellite deployments from the ISS.
NASA’s NextSTEP-2 program includes Nanoracks studies for future commercial space station modules. NASA also checks out Nanoracks’ ideas for standalone commercial platforms that could follow the ISS, like the Starlab station they’re working on now.
Nanoracks works with international partners using the ISS’s multinational setup. They especially lean on European Space Agency (ESA) connections to reach customers worldwide.
Their operations connect with the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) through the Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (J-SSOD) for CubeSat launches.
They’ve flown experiments for groups like the Beijing Institute of Technology. This shows Nanoracks can serve international customers and still meet ISS requirements.
Their External Cygnus Deployer service lets them launch satellites at higher altitudes than the ISS itself. This gives international customers a shot at orbits that the ISS can’t reach, extending satellite lifespans by about two years.
Nanoracks delivers a full suite of commercial space services using proven hardware aboard the ISS and dedicated deployment systems. They handle payload integration and offer several ways to get research into space for government, commercial, and educational clients.
Nanoracks leads the commercial space services field, with over a decade of experience serving customers around the globe. They’ve launched more than 1,300 research experiments and deployed over 300 small satellites using their platforms.
Core service offerings include:
They serve clients in 30 countries, offering solutions for both newcomers to space and established aerospace organizations. Nanoracks maintains private hardware on the ISS, giving customers direct access to the microgravity environment.
Their services touch a lot of fields—pharmaceuticals, fiber optics, environmental monitoring, you name it. The Bishop Airlock, which Nanoracks operates, is the first commercial airlock system on the ISS.
Nanoracks gives customers multiple ways to access research and deployment opportunities in space. The ISS is their main platform, offering continuous crew presence and operational support for payloads.
They run dedicated hardware systems that fit neatly into ISS operations. These platforms handle everything from small CubeSats to more complex research experiments that need longer stays.
Available platforms include:
Customers use standardized interfaces, which keeps mission complexity and costs down. The platforms support both automated and crew-assisted operations, depending on what the mission calls for.
Nanoracks handles complete payload integration, taking care of every step from the initial idea to on-orbit operations and data return.
Their integration service covers mechanical design, safety reviews, launch coordination, and operational support. Customers don’t need deep aerospace expertise or huge infrastructure—they can just focus on their experiments.
Nanoracks takes care of payload testing, documentation, and regulatory compliance. They coordinate with NASA and international partners to keep missions on track.
Their Customer Operations Center monitors missions in real time and provides support during operations. Customers can interact directly with their experiments and satellites while they’re in space.
NanoRacks runs specialized lab modules called NanoLabs, which make plug-and-play research on the ISS possible. These standardized platforms follow CubeSat specs and let scientists run microgravity experiments without a lot of hassle.
NanoLab modules act as flexible research containers for experiments inside the ISS. Each one works as a self-contained lab unit, built for the space environment.
They plug right into NanoRacks’ internal platforms, like the Mark 1A and Mark 2A systems. These provide power, data, and structural support for the modules.
Key NanoLab Features:
The ArduLab Education NanoLab is one special variant, with a microcontroller board. It’s aimed at schools and universities looking for hands-on space research.
NanoLab modules stick to CubeSat size standards, so integration is predictable and smooth. The standard NanoLab is 1.5U, or 10cm x 10cm x 15cm.
Bigger experiments can use up to 4x2U configurations. This flexibility lets researchers tackle a range of projects while keeping the interface simple.
The CubeSat form factor really helps researchers. They get to focus on their experiments instead of inventing new hardware every time.
Standardization Benefits:
Research organizations use NanoLabs in a wide range of scientific fields, taking advantage of microgravity. The platform supports experiments in materials science, biology, tech demonstrations, and Earth observation.
Scientists run repeatable microgravity experiments with the standard NanoLab setup. These modules let researchers test sensors, materials, and electronics in space.
Schools and universities get a big boost from NanoLab accessibility. Students actually take part in real space research projects.
The plug-and-play design knocks down technical barriers that used to keep smaller groups out of space research.
Research Applications:
NanoLab has supported over 1,300 payloads on the International Space Station. That’s a huge track record for commercial and educational research.
NanoRacks has really changed space education with its MixStix platform, making hands-on microgravity research available to students in the U.S. and Canada. The company teams up with groups like DreamUp to bring affordable space experiences to tens of thousands of students, letting them do real research on the International Space Station.
MixStix is NanoRacks’ signature educational platform. These special tubes let students run real experiments in space with fluids, materials, chemicals, and biological samples.
The tubes use removable clamps to make two or three compartments. Astronauts mix the materials in space, only when the experiment is ready.
Students get to study things in space you just can’t do on Earth. They often look at crystal growth, chemical reactions, or biology in zero gravity.
Each mission usually carries dozens of MixStix tubes to the ISS. On recent SpaceX flights, up to 40 tubes filled with student experiments have gone up, making space research a real possibility for young scientists.
The Student Spaceflight Experiment Program (SSEP) drives many MixStix missions. It connects with the National Center for Earth and Space Science Education to organize student research.
NanoRacks has worked with over 65,000 students in the U.S. and Canada through these partnerships. Kids from elementary to high school get to design and carry out real space experiments.
Students do more than just watch. They follow real scientific steps, from forming a hypothesis to analyzing results from space.
Schools compete for flight spots, and peer review picks the winning experiments. It’s a process that really feels like professional science.
DreamUp works with NanoRacks to open up space research for more schools. They focus on making space science possible for schools that might not have the budget.
The partnership helps schools every step of the way. Teachers get detailed guides for MixStix, and students dive into true space research.
DreamUp handles logistics with NanoRacks and NASA, thanks to Space Act Agreements. This way, teachers can focus on science instead of paperwork.
The collaboration has led to lots of successful missions. Astronauts like Anne McClain have run student experiments on the ISS, building real connections between students and space.
Nanoracks runs deployment systems for small satellites and research payloads from the International Space Station. They take care of everything—from CubeSat launches to tricky microgravity experiments for schools and commercial clients worldwide.
Nanoracks kicked off commercial CubeSat deployment from the ISS back in October 2012. They were the first to launch small satellites through the Japanese Kibo module airlock.
The Nanoracks CubeSat Deployer (NRCSD) gives customers a reliable way to get satellites into space. The platform offers flexible payload options and handles all the NASA coordination.
They’ve deployed over 300 small satellites so far. The ISS setup has helped the CubeSat industry grow by making launches more regular.
Deployment costs stay competitive with traditional launches. The system works with different CubeSat sizes and still meets tough ISS safety rules.
Nanoracks runs the first commercial space lab on the ISS. Their research facilities use standard hardware for all sorts of experiments.
NanoLab units hold 16 experiments per tray. They support both powered and non-powered experiments in many research fields.
Experiments usually stay in space for 30 days. Pricing starts at $30,000 for schools and $60,000 for commercial groups, with full support.
Research covers biology, materials science, and tech demos. The George Washington Carver Science Park name shows their dedication to moving space research forward.
Schools get help with all the paperwork. Nanoracks manages the huge NASA documentation—sometimes over 1,000 pages.
Commercial clients include big space agencies and private companies. Their customer list stretches from Vietnam to the UK, Romania, and Israel.
Nanoracks handles everything: transportation, installation, and government relations. Their technical team makes sure each mission goes smoothly.
They partner with companies like Spaceflight Inc. to expand launch options. These partnerships mean more routine launches and better access to space research.
The Nanoracks External Platform (NREP) gives customers the first commercial gateway to the harsh environment outside the ISS. This facility lets payloads get exposed to microgravity, radiation, and atomic oxygen, all while staying powered and connected.
The NREP, mounted on the Japanese External Facility (JEM-EF) since August 2016, offers full payload hosting services. It gives customer payloads both power and data while exposing them to low Earth orbit conditions.
The system uses CubeSat form factors, so it fits a variety of payload sizes. Customers test sensors, materials, and electronics in real space. The platform supports Earth observation missions and direct exposure experiments you just can’t do in a lab.
Key technical capabilities include:
Nanoracks takes care of all integration, safety paperwork, and NASA coordination. They handle deployments using the Japanese robotic arm and airlock.
The NREP hosts experiments from schools, companies, and governments. Payloads face real space conditions—vacuum, radiation, and big temperature swings as the station orbits Earth.
Materials testing is a big use for the platform. Companies check how new composites, coatings, or electronics hold up in space. This data is key for future spacecraft and equipment.
Earth observation missions use the platform’s outside spot to test sensor technologies. Cameras and spectrometers gather data in real conditions, proving equipment works before it flies on satellites.
Universities send up educational payloads to research protein crystals, plant growth, or physics. The plug-and-play design makes it easier for schools to get into space. Student experiments can run for months before coming back to Earth for study.
Bishop changed the ISS’s payload deployment game with a commercial airlock that’s five times bigger than government systems. As the first permanent commercial addition, it set new standards for satellite launches and research.
The Bishop airlock brings major upgrades to the ISS with a much bigger operational envelope. It fits payloads up to 112 x 112 x 127 cm and up to 322 kg in mass.
Power and Data Systems:
The airlock has six payload sites, with both pressurized and unpressurized options. Oceaneering GOLD 2 connectors handle electrical and mechanical links. Payloads can work in anything from full pressure down to vacuum.
Bishop’s design allows unlimited pointing options when attached to the station’s robotic arm. That means Ram, Wake, Zenith, and Nadir orientations for whatever the mission needs.
Ground teams at NanoRacks coordinate Bishop operations with NASA and station crew. Astronauts prep and install payloads, while ground operators manage depressurization and deployments.
The system can run several missions at once. One sortie might launch different satellite sizes, CubeSat deployers, and MicroSats together.
Operational Capabilities:
Deployments happen during daylight orbits for better visuals and imaging. The robotic arm lines Bishop up for each mission.
Bishop lays the groundwork for the NanoRacks Space Outpost Program. It shows off tech needed for future commercial space infrastructure.
Recent missions highlight new capabilities. GITAI’s robots showed off In-space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing through Bishop’s external sites, proving commercial robotics in space.
The airlock’s modular design keeps it flexible for changing mission needs. They’ll keep adapting it as they learn from each new operation.
Commercial customers can test in space without building whole satellites. This hosted payload model cuts costs and complexity but keeps options open.
Nanoracks runs advanced manufacturing and research platforms that are changing how companies experiment and make things in space. Their hardware lets you do everything from cutting metal in orbit to cooking food in zero gravity—opening up all sorts of new opportunities for commercial space.
Nanoracks made headlines in 2022 by cutting metal in orbit for the first time. Their Outpost Mars Demo-1 mission pulled this off using friction milling technology, slicing through corrosion-resistant steel and somehow avoiding any debris.
Friction milling spins at crazy high speeds and melts the metal exactly where you want to cut. Maxar Technologies built the robotic arm for this, packing it with thermal sensors and cameras to keep an eye on everything. The team managed to cut three metal pieces in just an hour.
Key Manufacturing Capabilities:
This kind of tech could totally change how we build big structures or lunar habitats in space. Now, companies can tweak existing spacecraft or just build new ones right in orbit.
The Plate Reader-2 system gives the International Space Station some serious lab analysis power. Basically, it’s a tweaked Molecular Devices SpectraMax M5e that handles several detection modes for life science research.
Detection Capabilities:
Researchers use this gear to see how microgravity messes with biology. The system handles microplates loaded with samples for drug research, protein studies, and cellular analysis.
This platform backs chemistry and life science work that needs super-precise measurements. Companies working on new drugs or materials can grab data you just can’t get back on Earth.
The Zero G Kitchen Oven became the first cooking device to actually work in space. It’s basically a cylindrical insulated box that safely bakes sealed food samples up on the ISS.
Food sits in a tray that stays put while heat circulates around it. There’s a cooling rack and some clever venting to keep things safe for the crew.
Additional Research Platforms:
These setups help with plant growth studies, DNA research, radiation tests, and materials science. By standardizing the design, customers save money and time on development.
Companies use these platforms to test things that just can’t be tested on Earth. Microgravity unlocks weird new properties in materials and biology.
Nanoracks is leading the charge on Starlab, a commercial space station that’s aiming for launch in 2028. They landed $160 million from NASA’s Commercial LEO Destinations program and teamed up with some heavy hitters in aerospace to build America’s next orbital lab.
Starlab is a pretty big leap in commercial space infrastructure. The station uses a two-module design with an 8-meter diameter—way bigger than ISS modules, honestly.
Key specifications:
They plan to support over 400 experiments a year and match the ISS’s payload capacity. Starlab Space LLC, a Voyager Space and Airbus partnership, runs the show for construction and operations.
The team originally wanted an inflatable module, but switched to a rigid metallic structure for more safety. That change comes from lessons learned with previous habitats and new crew safety rules for longer missions.
Hilton Worldwide is actually designing the crew quarters—yes, the hotel folks—so they’re bringing a bit of hospitality to space. Northrop Grumman joined in late 2023, adding their autonomous docking systems and Cygnus resupply tech.
NASA wants to replace the ISS with commercial stations, not run them. In December 2021, they picked three companies to come up with competing concepts.
Starlab grabbed the biggest pot at $160 million. Blue Origin’s team got $130 million, and Northrop Grumman’s concept pulled $125.6 million. NASA’s clearly aiming to become a customer, not the landlord.
The program fits into NASA’s bigger push for lunar exploration with Artemis. By moving low Earth orbit ops to private companies, NASA frees up resources for deep space and Moon base work.
Space Act Agreements give companies initial money for design and development. They have to show they’re technically ready before they get more funding for building and launching.
Lockheed Martin started out as a partner with Nanoracks and Voyager Space when Starlab kicked off in October 2021. They brought big-time experience in space systems and habitat modules.
Originally, Lockheed Martin worked on an inflatable habitat module based on NASA’s Transhab tech. That would’ve given the crew more room to live and work.
But when Airbus joined in early 2023, Lockheed Martin’s role shrank. Airbus swapped in a rigid metallic design and brought new technical skills to the table.
With Airbus on board, Starlab opened up to European Space Agency members and international researchers. The project went from mostly American to a trans-Atlantic venture, broadening its appeal.
Nanoracks has carved out a spot as a top player in turning low-Earth orbit into a commercial marketplace. They support microgravity research and help push advanced science and tech development in space.
Nanoracks finished NASA’s Low Earth Orbit Commercialization Study (LEOCOM) to map out commercial space’s future. They drew on a decade of running commercial platforms aboard the ISS.
The study pinpointed what the market needs for sustainable operations in LEO. Nanoracks set out policy frameworks and contract models to help autonomous and crewed space platforms work smoothly.
Key focus areas:
Their Outpost Program is a big step toward independent commercial stations. The goal is to build cost-effective platforms that don’t rely only on government money.
Nanoracks joined forces with Voyager Space and scored a $160 million NASA contract for Starlab. This station is set to anchor NASA’s Commercial Low-Earth Orbit Destinations project.
Nanoracks acts as the main commercial research facilitator on the ISS. They give researchers access to microgravity using standard hardware and streamlined processes.
Scientists run experiments in protein crystal growth, materials science, and drug development. Microgravity lets them do research that’s just impossible back home.
Their CubeSat deployment services have launched hundreds of small satellites from the ISS. That opens up space research for commercial ventures and schools alike.
Research customers range from universities and biotech companies to government agencies. Nanoracks makes getting experiments to space easier with standard interfaces and solid procedures.
Nanoracks keeps building innovative tech to make space more user-friendly for commercial clients. Their hardware lets researchers focus on science, not spacecraft headaches.
Tech development areas:
Their Bishop Airlock is the biggest commercial research facility on the ISS. It allows larger, more complex experiments than ever before.
Looking ahead, Nanoracks targets autonomous space manufacturing and processing. These systems will let companies make products in microgravity that you just can’t make on Earth.
They’re still expanding their tech lineup to support the growing space economy. Their innovations are helping cut costs and open up space for more research and manufacturing.
Nanoracks is shaking up commercial space access with Starlab and strategic partnerships alongside Voyager Space and Lockheed Martin. By branching out from ISS-only work, they’re setting themselves up to lead the next era of space infrastructure.
Nanoracks has rolled out tech that’s honestly setting new standards for the industry. They run private hardware on the ISS, launching 1,300+ research experiments and deploying over 300 small satellites.
The Bishop Airlock stands out as a major leap forward. It lets crews deploy satellites and cargo straight from the ISS, more efficiently than before.
Their approach is about reusing what’s already up there. Nanoracks turns commercial launch vehicle upper stages into new platforms, cutting costs and squeezing more value out of each launch.
Their lab systems support a wide range of manufacturing and research in space. It’s a pretty comprehensive setup.
Starlab is Nanoracks’ boldest move for the post-ISS world. NASA gave them $160 million to design this commercial station under the Commercial Low-Earth Orbit Development program.
Starlab plans to feature:
They’ll house up to four astronauts full time. The goal is to start operations in 2027, keeping people in low-Earth orbit without skipping a beat.
This lines up with the ISS’s retirement. Starlab aims to deliver commercial space services before the current station shuts down.
Nanoracks LLC has built some strong alliances. Voyager Space holds the majority stake, bringing investment savvy and operational know-how.
The partnership with Lockheed Martin adds deep spacecraft engineering experience. Lockheed Martin acts as the technical integrator for Starlab and helps shape the vision for complex systems.
Together, these partnerships create a well-rounded capability stack. Voyager Space leads strategy and investment, while Nanoracks handles the nuts and bolts of development.
They’re reaching out to global commercial clients across different industries. Nanoracks already works with customers in 30 countries, so they’re well positioned for international growth.
NASA is both a partner and a customer, which gives Nanoracks a steady revenue stream while helping NASA’s commercial space goals.
People have a lot of questions about what Nanoracks does, how to get involved, and where they fit in the commercial space world. The company offers clear ways to join space research, use deployment services, or even find a career in the booming commercial space sector.
Nanoracks hires for engineering, operations, business development, and mission management. They’re looking for folks with aerospace engineering backgrounds, project management chops, and experience in space systems integration.
Career paths include payload integration specialists who help customers get their experiments ready. Mission operations engineers run space station activities and work closely with NASA. Business development pros focus on building commercial partnerships with research groups and private companies.
They value people who know small satellite development and space station operations. Entry-level roles usually need an aerospace or mechanical engineering degree, while advanced jobs call for a few years in the space industry.
Nanoracks uses specialized CubeSat deployers to launch small satellites from the International Space Station. They run the deployment process through the Japanese Experiment Module airlock, using custom-built hardware.
CubeSats make the trip to the station tucked inside foam carriers, which keep them safe during the journey. When the satellites arrive, ISS crew members load them into the deployment mechanisms.
After that, the satellites launch into their own orbits around Earth. It’s a pretty clever system, honestly.
Nanoracks teams up with Spaceflight Inc. to offer regular commercial launch services from the ISS. This approach gives schools and commercial customers a more affordable way to reach low Earth orbit.
Nanoracks runs the first commercial laboratory facility on the International Space Station. Over the years, they’ve deployed more than 1,300 research experiments, covering everything from cancer research to plant growth.
Their latest project, the George Washington Carver Science Park, brings together companies and organizations for joint research. This science park in space focuses mostly on agriculture technology and biological research in microgravity.
Researchers use Nanoracks for pharmaceutical drug development, materials science, and Earth observation. The company collaborates with NASA, the European Space Agency, and the German Space Agency on a range of projects.
Schools and universities also rely on Nanoracks for student experiments and STEM programs. It’s become a go-to for educational access to space.
If you want to intern at Nanoracks, you usually need to be enrolled in aerospace, mechanical, or electrical engineering programs. The company posts available internships on their website and through university career centers.
They look for candidates with strong grades and a real interest in commercial space development. If you’ve worked with small satellites, space systems, or done research projects, it definitely helps. They really value hands-on technical skills and problem-solving.
Interns might work on payload integration, mission planning, or customer support. Students get direct experience with space station operations and commercial space services.
The program includes mentorship from experienced aerospace professionals. It’s a pretty solid way to get your foot in the door.
Nanoracks built the Bishop Airlock, which is the first commercial airlock module attached to the ISS. This new airlock lets them handle bigger payloads and deploy more frequently than before.
They introduced standardized commercial hardware for space research. Their modular system makes it cheaper and simpler for customers to run experiments in space.
By setting up Space Act Agreements with NASA, Nanoracks created a framework for commercial space services. They showed that private companies can operate research facilities on government space assets.
Now, their model shapes how commercial space station development moves forward. It’s hard not to notice the impact they’ve had.
Nanoracks is still a private company, so you won’t find any publicly traded stock options for it. Right now, if you want to invest, you’d have to go through private equity or venture capital, and that’s really only open to accredited investors.
Since 2009, various private investors have backed the company. For the public to get in, Nanoracks would need to go through an initial public offering, but so far, there’s no word on that happening.
If you’re interested in the space industry, you might want to check out publicly traded aerospace companies or space-focused ETFs. That way, you can still get a piece of the commercial space action—just not directly through Nanoracks.
