Aegis Aerospace
Aegis Aerospace is a woman-owned commercial space and defense company offering space testing and engineering services to NASA, the DoD, and U.S. Space Force. Its STaaS platform centers on the MISSE facility aboard the ISS, with lunar (RAC, SSTEF) and in-space semiconductor manufacturing (AMMP) extensions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersHouston, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Aegis Aerospace does
Aegis Aerospace is a privately held, woman-owned commercial space and defense technology company headquartered in Webster, Texas, approximately two miles from NASA's Johnson Space Center. The company was formally established in 2021 through the merger of Alpha Space and MEI Technologies and traces its operational heritage to predecessor companies dating back to 1992. It serves U.S. government defense and space agencies — primarily NASA, the Department of Defense, U.S. Space Force, and U.S. Air Force — alongside aerospace prime contractors (Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman), commercial space customers, and academic institutions including Texas A&M, Rice, Georgia Tech, MIT, and Purdue. The company was ranked #55 on the Houston Chronicle's Top Private Companies list and has been recognized with the 2024 RNASA Stellar Award, the 2023 Houston Chronicle Top Workplaces, and 2025 Inc. Female Founders 500 and Houston SBA Woman Business Owner of the Year awards.
The company's core product is Space Testing as a Service (STaaS), a platform-plus-services architecture anchored by the MISSE (Materials International Space Station Experiment) flight facility permanently affixed to the exterior of the ISS — described in source materials as the primary commercial space testing platform, with over 2,000 experiments hosted since 2018. Aegis has extended this franchise to the lunar surface through two proprietary facilities: the Regolith Adherence Characterization (RAC) platform, delivered to the Moon in January 2025 aboard Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lander under NASA's CLPS initiative, and the Space Science Test and Evaluation Facility (SSTEF), manifested on Intuitive Machines' IM-3 Nova-C lander. The product portfolio further includes the TAMU-SPIRIT university research platform on the ISS, the AMMP in-space semiconductor manufacturing facility developed with United Semiconductors, the STPSat-7 free-flying satellite carrying five DoD SERB experiments, the EPIIC universal payload interface, and a pipeline of 100kg-class small satellite, modeling/simulation, and cyber/IT services.
Revenue is generated primarily through multi-year government contracts and task orders obtained via competitive bidding and direct program-office relationships, accessed through five contract vehicles (OASIS, ASTRO, D3I-D2, REMIS, MISSE IDIQ). A secondary STaaS commercial channel provides quote-based, project-specific pricing to commercial and academic customers. Distribution is direct — through government program offices for the defense business and through the STaaS service channel for commercial space — and pricing is not publicly disclosed. The company employs between 251 and 500 people and is led by Founder, CEO and Executive Chairman Stephanie Murphy, with a planned presidential transition to Matt Ondler effective January 1, 2026.
Aegis Aerospace firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Aegis Aerospace
- Legal name
- Aegis Aerospace Inc.
- Website
- https://aegisaero.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Aegis Aerospace is a woman-owned commercial space and defense company offering space testing and engineering services to NASA, the DoD, and U.S. Space Force. Its STaaS platform centers on the MISSE facility aboard the ISS, with lunar (RAC, SSTEF) and in-space semiconductor manufacturing (AMMP) extensions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Aegis Aerospace industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Aerospace Engineering and Space Testing Services
- NAICS
- Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641)
- SIC
- Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Spacecraft Integration, Assembly & Test (IAT) (IMABACAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD), Military Aerospace Ground Support Equipment (GSE) & Test Systems (IMABAMAL), Military Space Systems (Defense Spacecraft) (IMABACAC)
Keywords
Where Aegis Aerospace is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Houston
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Aegis Aerospace business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Government Contracts: Long-term contracts with government agencies including Department of Defense (DoD), NASA, and U.S. Space Force for space testing, R&D services, and payload development. These represent the primary revenue stream and involve multi-year engagements.
- Commercial Space Services: Space Testing as a Service (STaaS) providing commercial customers access to space-based testing facilities including MISSE, RAC, and SSTEF platforms.
- Product Development: Development and delivery of custom payloads, experiments, and small satellites for government and commercial customers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom project-based pricing for government and commercial customers |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
Aegis Aerospace product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Aegis Aerospace provides turn-key Space Testing as a Service (STaaS) by operating proprietary testing platforms — the MISSE Flight Facility on the ISS and the RAC and SSTEF platforms on the lunar surface — that expose customer experiments, materials, coatings, electronics, and biological samples to authentic space and lunar environments. The company also develops custom spaceflight products including payloads, experiments, 100kg-class small satellites (e.g., STPSat-7), and attached ISS payloads, and delivers systems engineering, flight/ground system development, modeling/simulation, cyber/IT, and acquisition strategy services to NASA, DoD, U.S. Space Force, U.S. Air Force, defense prime contractors, and academic researchers.
Product overview
Aegis Aerospace is a woman-owned commercial space and defense technology company offering a platform-plus-services architecture. The core STaaS (Space Testing as a Service) platform is anchored by the MISSE Flight Facility on the ISS, complemented by two lunar surface testing platforms (RAC and SSTEF). The portfolio includes the TAMU-SPIRIT university research platform and the AMMP in-space semiconductor manufacturing platform. Services span systems engineering & integration, flight/ground system development and operations, lunar systems, modeling/simulation, and cyber/IT solutions. The company develops payloads, experiments, small satellites (100kg-class), and attached ISS payloads, supported by contract vehicles including OASIS, ASTRO, D3I-D2, REMIS, and MISSE IDIQ.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- MISSE (Materials International Space Station Experiment): Aegis Aerospace's commercial flight facility permanently affixed to the outside of the International Space Station, providing Space Testing as a Service (STaaS) for customer experiments.
- STaaS (Space Testing as a Service)
- RAC (Regolith Adherence Characterization)
- SSTEF (Space Science Test and Evaluation Facility)
- TAMU-SPIRIT
Products and services
- MISSE (Materials International Space Station Experiment) Flight Facility Commercial flight facility permanently affixed to the outside of the International Space Station that exposes customer experiments, materials, coatings, electronics, and biological samples to the space environment for approximately six months before returning to Earth. Used by NASA, DoD, defense primes, and commercial customers for TRL advancement.
- Space Testing as a Service (STaaS) End-to-end R&D testing service in space enabling customers to increase Technology Readiness Levels, demonstrate, evaluate, and flight-qualify new products and technologies, and conduct R&D experiments in the external space environment through the MISSE, RAC, and SSTEF platforms.
- RAC (Regolith Adherence Characterization) Lunar surface testing platform that determines how lunar regolith adheres to materials exposed to the lunar environment, enabling industry to test, improve, and protect spacecraft, spacesuits, and habitats.
- SSTEF (Space Science Test and Evaluation Facility) Multi-purpose lunar test facility with power, command, and data connections to host passive materials and active lunar experiments at the Moon's south pole.
- TAMU-SPIRIT (Texas A&M/Aegis Aerospace Multi-Use Space Platform Integrating Research & Innovative Technology) University-dedicated external research platform on the ISS providing experiment space for Texas A&M System researchers across multiple research disciplines.
- AMMP (Advanced Materials Manufacturing Platform) First dedicated commercial facility for in-space semiconductor materials production in low Earth orbit, leveraging microgravity to produce purer semiconductor wafers with fewer defects. Developed with United Semiconductors LLC.
- STPSat-7 Free-flying satellite comprised of 5 DoD Space Experiment Review Board (SERB) experiments including NanoUHFComms, LARADO, GARI-1C, GOSAS, and SFPE.
- Systems Engineering & Integration (SE&I) Technical expertise and discipline delivered as a standalone service or integral element of projects to solve complex space and defense systems problems for government and commercial customers.
- Flight and Ground System Development and Operations Design, build, and operation of satellites, payloads, ground stations, and other spaceflight and ground equipment for a wide range of government and commercial customers and applications.
- Lunar Systems Engineering Services Engineering and operations services around the RAC and SSTEF lunar surface testing platforms enabling customers to test technologies on the Moon or conduct lunar science.
- Modeling, Simulation, and Analysis Customer support service using accurate, low-cost system models, simulations, and analyses to reduce risk and inform decision-making for space and defense programs.
- Information Warfare Solutions – Cyber/IT Cutting-edge, secure cyber and IT solutions designed to outpace adversaries, delivered to defense and intelligence customers.
- Acquisition Strategy & Management Advisory and management services connecting warfighters with affordable, survivable, war-winning defense acquisition programs.
- Government Contract Vehicles (OASIS, ASTRO, D3I-D2, REMIS, MISSE IDIQ) Pre-established multi-award contract vehicles that enable government customers to access Aegis Aerospace services and capabilities through approved acquisition pathways, including OASIS, ASTRO, D3I-D2, REMIS, and MISSE IDIQ.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 2,000 space experiments conducted on MISSE since 2018
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Aegis Aerospace
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Aegis Aerospace technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Aegis Aerospace partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- United Semiconductors LLCcorePartnership for AMMP (Advanced Materials Manufacturing Platform) to develop advanced materials manufacturing capabilities using microgravity environment in space. Joint development of materials processing technologies.
- Texas A&M UniversitycoreTAMU-SPIRIT partnership for collaborative research and development in space technologies. Academic collaboration supporting research programs and workforce development.
- Firefly AerospacecoreDelivery partner for RAC (Regolith Activation Cycler) lunar test facility. Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lander delivered the facility to the Moon in January 2025.
- Intuitive MachinescoreDelivery partner for SSTEF (South Pole Sentinel Test Facility) lunar test facility. Lunar delivery enables testing capabilities at the Moon's south pole.
- ISS National LaboratorycoreOngoing research partnerships for conducting experiments on the International Space Station. ISS National Laboratory provides access to the orbital platform for various research initiatives.
- NASAflagshipCLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative partner for lunar surface activities. Long-standing relationship with NASA for space testing and technology demonstration programs.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Aegis Aerospace competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Voyager Space (formerly NanoRacks): Voyager Space operates commercial space services on the ISS and is building the Starlab commercial space station. It is comparable to Aegis because it provides ISS-based commercial services and research access to government, academic, and commercial customers using a similar platform-plus-services model.
- Space Tango: Space Tango provides turn-key microgravity research and manufacturing services on the ISS for commercial and academic customers. It is comparable to Aegis because both companies operate ISS-based research platforms and offer managed service models for space-based experimentation.
- Intuitive Machines: Intuitive Machines is a CLPS lunar lander provider and also delivers NASA and commercial payloads to the lunar surface. It is comparable to Aegis as both a delivery partner and as a fellow participant in the lunar CLPS commercial services ecosystem.
- Axiom Space: Axiom Space is building commercial space station modules and currently provides ISS-based services for commercial and government customers. It is comparable as a fellow commercial space services company operating in low Earth orbit and building the next generation of orbital infrastructure.
- Redwire Corporation: Redwire develops in-space manufacturing, space-based biotechnology, and deployable structures with commercial and government customers. It is comparable to Aegis because it operates space-based platforms for manufacturing and research and serves the same NASA/DoD customer base.
Broad incumbents
- Leidos Holdings: Leidos is a large defense and space technology contractor serving DoD, intelligence community, and NASA with engineering and integration services. It is comparable as a broader defense/aerospace incumbent competing for similar systems engineering and integration task orders.
- KBR Inc. KBR provides large-scale government and NASA engineering, science, and technical services including spaceflight support contracts. It is comparable as a broader incumbent serving the same NASA and DoD customer base with systems engineering and mission support services.
- Jacobs Solutions: Jacobs provides NASA engineering and technical services through major contracts including JETS II and COMET, and acquired assets of ProXopS are subcontracted to Jacobs. It is comparable as a NASA engineering services incumbent with overlapping customer relationships.
Emerging players
- Firefly Aerospace: Firefly Aerospace provides lunar lander services through its Blue Ghost vehicle and small launch capabilities. It is comparable as a CLPS delivery partner for Aegis and as a fellow lunar economy participant with overlapping NASA and DoD relationships.
- Astrobotic Technology: Astrobotic provides commercial lunar payload delivery services through its Griffin and Peregrine landers under NASA CLPS. It is comparable as a fellow lunar economy company operating in the same NASA CLPS ecosystem and competing for related lunar services opportunities.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Aegis Aerospace social profiles
Digital presenceAegis Aerospace financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Aegis Aerospace leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Aegis Aerospace funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Aegis Aerospace M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about Aegis Aerospace
What does Aegis Aerospace do?
Aegis Aerospace provides turn-key Space Testing as a Service (STaaS) by operating proprietary testing platforms — the MISSE Flight Facility on the ISS and the RAC and SSTEF platforms on the lunar surface — that expose customer experiments, materials, coatings, electronics, and biological samples to authentic space and lunar environments. The company also develops custom spaceflight products including payloads, experiments, 100kg-class small satellites (e.g., STPSat-7), and attached ISS payloads, and delivers systems engineering, flight/ground system development, modeling/simulation, cyber/IT, and acquisition strategy services to NASA, DoD, U.S. Space Force, U.S. Air Force, defense prime contractors, and academic researchers.
Is Aegis Aerospace a public or private company?
Aegis Aerospace is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Aegis Aerospace founded?
Aegis Aerospace was founded in 2021. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Aegis Aerospace based?
Aegis Aerospace is headquartered in Houston, United States, in the North America region.
How does Aegis Aerospace make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Government Contracts are the primary driver. The others are commercial Space Services and product Development.
Who are Aegis Aerospace's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Voyager Space (formerly NanoRacks), Space Tango, Intuitive Machines, Axiom Space and Redwire Corporation. Broad incumbents are Leidos Holdings, KBR Inc. and Jacobs Solutions. Emerging players are Firefly Aerospace and Astrobotic Technology.
Does Aegis Aerospace have an API?
No public API is recorded for Aegis Aerospace.
What industry is Aegis Aerospace in?
Aegis Aerospace's product category is Aerospace Engineering and Space Testing Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABACAK, Spacecraft Integration, Assembly & Test (IAT), with a secondary code of IMABACAD, Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR). Its NAICS code is 336414 and its SIC code is 3760.