The Aerospace Corporation

What The Aerospace Corporation does

The Aerospace Corporation is a private, nonprofit Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) founded in 1960 and headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia, with major campuses in El Segundo, California and Colorado Springs, Colorado. It is the only FFRDC dedicated exclusively to the U.S. space enterprise, providing independent, objective technical analysis that government contractors and product vendors cannot provide to themselves. With approximately 4,800 employees, including 3,600+ technical experts (788 with Ph.D.s and average tenure of 26 years), Aerospace operates across 20+ locations in 11 states plus a wholly owned UK subsidiary that opened in 2021.

The organization's charter prevents it from manufacturing products or competing with industry; its revenue is generated under cost-reimbursable and fixed-price federal contracts with NASA, the U.S. Space Force, the Department of Defense, the intelligence community, and NOAA. Core offerings span systems engineering, mission assurance, independent verification and validation, launch certification, space cybersecurity, space domain awareness, debris analysis, and policy support for flagship programs including GPS, SBIRS, AEHF, WGS, SLS/Orion, Artemis, James Webb Space Telescope, Europa Clipper, the EELV/NSSL launch enterprise, and the Space Safari tactically responsive space missions (Victus Nox, Haze, Surgo, Salo).

Aerospace maintains a portfolio of licensable technologies developed in-house: DiskSat (a flat, meter-diameter small-satellite bus), Handle/Handle 2.0 (a standardized modular satellite bus-to-payload interface), SPARTA (a space-cybersecurity framework adopted by DHS S&T), NPPD (Nanosecond Pulsed Plasma Discharge propulsion for restartable solid rocket motors, in collaboration with USC and the Naval Postgraduate School), CORDS (orbital and reentry debris studies with a reentry database dating to 2000), and Slingshot 1 (a modular technology prototyping platform). The corporation also operates more than 80–150 specialized laboratories, runs the TRL Bootcamp with SpaceWERX to vet commercial space startups for government adoption, leads the COSMIC in-space servicing consortium, and is co-developing agentic AI tools with Google Public Sector for satellite anomaly resolution built on its multi-decade testing corpus.

Name

The Aerospace Corporation

Legal name

The Aerospace Corporation

Website

https://aerospace.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

The Aerospace Corporation is the only U.S. FFRDC focused exclusively on space, providing independent systems engineering, mission assurance, and technical analysis to NASA, the U.S. Space Force, the DoD, and the intelligence community through a 4,800-person technical workforce across 20+ U.S. locations and a UK subsidiary.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Space Systems Engineering Services

NAICS

Space Research and Technology (927110), Space Research and Technology (9271), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial) (IMABACAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Military Space Systems (Defense Spacecraft) (IMABACAC), Ground Segment Systems (Ground Stations, TT&C, Mission Ops) (IMABACAJ), Spacecraft Propulsion (In-Space) & Thrusters (IMABACAE)

Keywords

• Space systems engineering
• Mission assurance services
• Space technology consulting
• Satellite systems engineering
• National security space

Headquarters

HQ city

El Segundo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices21 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Federal Government Contracts: As a nonprofit FFRDC, Aerospace generates revenue through cost-reimbursable and fixed-price contracts with U.S. federal government agencies including NASA, U.S. Space Force, Department of Defense, intelligence community, and civil space agencies. Revenue is derived from providing technical expertise, systems engineering, mission assurance, and independent analysis rather than product sales.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Aerospace Corporation operates as the nation's only Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) exclusively committed to the space enterprise. It provides independent technical analysis, systems engineering, mission assurance, launch support, and integration services to U.S. government customers including the U.S. Space Force, NASA, Department of Defense, and intelligence community. The organization maintains over 80 specialized laboratories and approximately 3,600 technical experts, and also develops and licenses proprietary technologies such as DiskSat, Handle interface, SPARTA cybersecurity framework, and NPPD propulsion technology.

Product overview

The Aerospace Corporation operates as the nation's only space-focused Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC), providing technical consulting, mission assurance, systems engineering, and research services rather than commercial software products. Its technology portfolio includes DiskSat (a disc-shaped small satellite platform), Handle (modular interface technology), SPARTA (cybersecurity framework), Slingshot 1 (modular satellite technology), and NPPD (restartable propulsion technology). These offerings are complemented by specialized laboratory facilities, the TRL Bootcamp technology acceleration program, and expertise in space debris studies through CORDS.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DiskSat: A flat, disc-shaped small satellite bus offering more power, surface area, and payload volume than traditional CubeSats while maintaining a standardized launch interface. Developed by Aerospace and funded by NASA's Small Spacecraft and Distributed Systems program.
• SPARTA
• Handle
• Slingshot

Products and services

• SPARTA (Space Cybersecurity Framework) A comprehensive cybersecurity framework for the space industry providing threat knowledge, behavioral indicators, and countermeasure prioritization methodology to defend space systems against cyberattacks. Targeted at spacecraft developers and government/defense space operators.
• DiskSat

Quantifiable outcome

• VICTUS NOX mission demonstrated 60-hour activation, sub-24-hour launch, and 48-hour on-orbit commissioning capabilities
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability9 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of Southern California (USC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 May 2026Collaboration with USC Viterbi School of Engineering on Nanosecond Pulsed Plasma Discharge (NPPD) technology research for restartable solid rocket motors. USC contributes academic expertise in plasma physics and engineering.
• Naval Postgraduate School (NPS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 May 2026Collaboration with NPS on NPPD technology research for restartable solid rocket motors, bringing additional academic research capabilities to the propulsion technology development.
• Google Public SectorcoreTechnology or Integration · 14 April 2026Collaboration to modernize satellite operations through agentic AI for anomaly resolution. Aerospace and Google Public Sector are developing proof-of-concept AI tools designed to assist in managing growing satellite constellations by leveraging 65-plus years of spacecraft and component testing data.
• Space FloridaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Aerospace provides technical assessments, infrastructure planning, and risk simulations for traditional and inland spaceports as part of Space Florida's leading aerospace ecosystem development, supporting spaceport modernization and expansion efforts.
• European Space Agency (ESA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 March 2026Aerospace published report highlighting major shift in Europe's space sector as EU increases funding and reorients programs toward military and security uses, potentially controlling over 50% of ESA budget.
• Orbotic Systems Inc.minorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 5 February 2026Commercial license agreement with Orbotic Systems to commercialize DiskSat technology for VLEO sensor pathfinder missions. OSI plans to use DiskSat as host spacecraft for WIND sensor to support future mission planning.
• RS&HminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 February 2026Aerospace is a subcontractor to RS&H leading a team conducting a spaceport feasibility study for the Concho Valley region of Texas, fully funded by Texas Space Commission grant. Provides technical expertise for assessing suitability for space-related testing, research, and launch activities.
• RAND CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Co-hosted first U.S. Space Rescue Workshop bringing government, industry, and private space organizations together to advance in-space rescue capabilities and protocols.
• SatlytminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 17 December 2025Space edge computing startup licensing DiskSat technology from Aerospace to enable autonomous space operations and data processing. First four DiskSats launched December 2025 demonstrating the platform.
• NASAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 November 2025Ongoing partnership for space exploration including Artemis program, Europa Clipper mission, NISAR Earth observation satellite, and DiskSat technology demonstration. Aerospace provides technical expertise and independent verification services for NASA missions.
• TechCrunchcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 10 November 2025Aerospace hosts the Space Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco, bringing together space industry leaders, investors, and startups for pitch competition and panel discussions on space economy. Five startups pitched innovations with Little Place Labs winning competition.
• AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 August 2025Partnership for ASCEND conference hosting national security space leaders, industry experts, and government officials. Aerospace hosts Space Transformation Track at ASCEND events.
• U.S. Space ForcecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Primary government customer for national security space programs. Aerospace supports Space Safari tactically responsive space missions including VICTUS NOX, VICTUS HAZE, VICTUS SURGO, and VICTUS SALO missions demonstrating rapid deployment capabilities.
• SpaceWERXcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 December 2024Joint TRL (Technology Readiness Level) Bootcamp program bridging commercial innovation and government space mission needs. First cohort of seven companies focused on in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing. NASA recently entered into Interagency Agreement with SpaceWERX to participate.
• Satellite Applications CatapultminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024Collaboration on in-orbit servicing and manufacturing testbeds and proving grounds. Both organizations contribute technical expertise to advance space servicing capabilities.
• COSMIC (Consortium for Space Mobility and ISAM Capabilities)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Aerospace leads the COSMIC consortium uniting various sectors to advance in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM) technologies, selected to head the consortium for whole-of-nation approach.
• UK Space AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2021Aerospace UK subsidiary awarded £3M two-year contract by UK Space Agency for independent technical advisory services across the UK space enterprise.
• UK Ministry of Defence Space DirectoratecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2021Aerospace UK subsidiary awarded £500K one-year contract to advise UK Ministry of Defence Space Directorate on technical matters.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• MITRE Corporation: Operates multiple FFRDCs (including for the Department of Defense and FAA), providing independent, objective technical analysis to U.S. government. Closest analog as a mission-driven, nonprofit FFRDC serving national security with no commercial conflicts — same operating model, different mission domain.
• Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL): A University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) and FFRDC that builds spacecraft, leads space missions, and provides independent technical expertise for national security and NASA — directly comparable to Aerospace's role in civil and defense space programs.
• Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA): FFRDC serving the Office of the Secretary of Defense and Joint Staff with rigorous, conflict-free technical analysis. Comparable to Aerospace's role as an independent, federally funded scientific advisor for defense decision-makers.
• RAND Corporation: Nonprofit FFRDC delivering independent research and analysis on national security, including space policy and strategy. Aerospace recently co-hosted the first U.S. Space Rescue Workshop with RAND, highlighting overlap in space-policy research.
• Sandia National Laboratories: Department of Energy national laboratory and FFRDC providing systems engineering and mission assurance for nuclear weapons and related national security work — comparable governance, mission-driven nonprofit structure, and deep technical depth as Aerospace.
• Los Alamos National Laboratory: Federally funded national laboratory with comparable nonprofit-style operations serving national security science missions. Relevant analog for government-funded R&D center economics and talent structure.

Broad incumbents

• Lockheed Martin Space: Defense prime contractor for national security space systems (GPS III, SBIRS, AEHF) — Aerospace is the FFRDC that performs independent technical oversight and mission assurance for many of these same programs. They sit on opposite sides of the buyer-supplier relationship but operate in the same program domain.
• Northrop Grumman Space Systems: Prime contractor for key national security space programs Aerospace supports (e.g., AEHF, SBIRS, NSSL). Overlap is on the buyer-supplier axis: Northrop builds systems while Aerospace provides independent technical evaluation.

Emerging players

• SpaceX: Commercial space company increasingly delivering integrated launch and constellation services that absorb launch-systems work Aerospace has historically supported. Represents the structural shift toward commercial primes that could narrow Aerospace's traditional scope.

Regional players

• DLR (German Aerospace Center): Germany's national research center for aeronautics, space, and energy — performs systems engineering, mission operations, and technology development comparable to Aerospace's mission, but serving European institutional customers rather than the U.S. government.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/aerospacecorp
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/AerospaceCorpVideos
• Facebookfacebook.com/aerospacecorp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-aerospace-corporation
• Instagraminstagram.com/theaerospacecorporation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Aerospace Corporation