Name

Space Foundation

Legal name

Space Foundation

Website

https://spacefoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Space Industry Advocacy & Education

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Professional Organizations (81392), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

akta.pro primary industry

Space & Astronomy Programs (EDAMABAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

International Science, Technology & Space Cooperation Organizations (BPADAAAK)

Keywords

• Space industry events
• Space education programs
• Space workforce development
• Aerospace certification
• Space policy advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Colorado Springs

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Corporate Memberships: Space Foundation generates revenue through corporate membership programs that provide recognition, marketing, business development, networking opportunities, and access to Space Symposium events.
2. Event Fees: Revenue generated from Space Symposium, Innovate Space Finance Forum, Faga Forum, and other events including registration fees ranging from $149 to $399 per attendee.
3. Individual and Corporate Donations: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, revenues are provided by individual, foundation and corporate donations, and corporate memberships.
4. Product Sales and Space Certification: Revenue from Certified Space Technology licensing fees, product sales, and Space Foundation merchandise.
5. Fees for Service: Revenue from Washington Operations consulting, Congressional Space Series programs, and internship coordination.
6. Grants: Space Foundation receives grant funding to support education and workforce development programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Space Foundation is a nonprofit space advocacy and education organization that operates three divisions: Space Education, Symposium 365, and Washington Operations. It sells the annual Space Symposium conference, corporate and individual memberships, the Certified Space Technology program, Discovery Center programs, and the Space Commerce Institute. It also publishes The Space Report and convenes forums such as the Faga Forum, Innovate Space, Global Space Economic Summit, and Congressional Space Series.

Product overview

Space Foundation is a nonprofit organization operating as a multi-divisional platform offering education, collaboration, and information services to advance the global space ecosystem. The organization operates through three primary divisions: Space Education (a lifelong learning platform delivering workforce development for students, teachers, entrepreneurs, and professionals), Symposium 365 (the premier source for media and events including the world-renowned Space Symposium and The Space Report), and Washington Operations (government affairs and international affairs programs). Key products and programs include the Discovery Center (world-class education center), Certified Space Technology Program (marketing seal for space-linked products), Space Technology Hall of Fame (technology recognition), Space Commerce Institute (entrepreneur training), New Generation Space Leaders (young professional programs), Corporate Membership Program, and various publications including The Space Report, Space Briefing Book, and Moon Briefing Book. The organization also administers multiple prestigious awards including the General James E. Hill Lifetime Space Achievement Award, Jack Swigert Award for Space Exploration, Douglas S. Morrow Public Outreach Award, Space Achievement Award, Athena Education Award, and Alan Shepard Technology in Education Award.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Space Symposium The Space Symposium is the premier annual gathering of the global space community, bringing together civil, commercial, and national security space leaders. It offers registration tiers for the General public, Government employees, Active Duty Military, Contractors, Space Foundation Members, Students, and Teachers.
• Symposium 365 Symposium 365 is a Space Foundation division that delivers digital programming, content, and engagement throughout the year, complementing the in-person Space Symposium.
• Corporate Membership Program The Corporate Membership Program is a tiered membership offering for organizations to support Space Foundation and access benefits including Space Symposium registration, networking, sponsorship, and year-round engagement.
• Individual Membership Program The Individual Membership Program enables individuals to support Space Foundation's mission, gain access to programs, and participate in the space community.
• Certified Space Technology Program The Certified Space Technology Program certifies products and technologies that incorporate space-derived technology, recognizing commercial spinoffs from space research and development. Applications are accepted for a US $450 fee.
• Space Technology Hall of Fame The Space Technology Hall of Fame honors technologies originally developed for space that have been adapted for terrestrial use, inducting and recognizing these technologies and the teams behind them.
• Space Foundation Discovery Center The Space Foundation Discovery Center is an interactive STEAM education facility located in Colorado Springs, offering educational experiences for students, families, and visitors to engage with space science.
• Space Commerce Institute The Space Commerce Institute helps small space businesses acquire the business and technical skills needed to succeed in the commercial space industry.
• The Space Report The Space Report is Space Foundation's annual publication analyzing the global space industry and its economic impact, available to members and the public.
• Washington Operations Washington Operations is the Space Foundation division based in the Washington, D.C. area, focused on government affairs, advocacy, and convening with U.S. federal policymakers on space-related issues.
• International Affairs International Affairs is a Space Foundation program that engages international space stakeholders and supports global cooperation and diplomacy across the space sector.
• Congressional Space Series The Congressional Space Series convenes U.S. congressional staff and space stakeholders to discuss space policy and the issues facing the space community.
• Faga Forum on Space Intelligence The Faga Forum on Space Intelligence brings together U.S. national security space leaders, space industry experts, and policy makers to discuss national security space issues.
• Innovate Space: Finance Forum Innovate Space: Finance Forum convenes finance and policy executives to discuss the financial side of space, including investment in and capitalization of the commercial space sector.
• Global Space Economic Summit The Global Space Economic Summit convenes global space sector leaders to discuss the evolving economic landscape of space and to explore emerging markets and opportunities.
• Space Workforce for Tomorrow (SWFT) Space Workforce for Tomorrow (SWFT) is Space Foundation's workforce development program that supports building the next generation of space industry talent.
• New Generation Space Leaders New Generation Space Leaders is a Space Foundation program supporting the next generation of space industry professionals through networking, mentoring, and engagement.
• Junior Space Entrepreneur Program The Junior Space Entrepreneur Program teaches K-12 students about space entrepreneurship and how to think about launching and running space-related ventures.
• Space in the Community Space in the Community is a Space Foundation program that brings space-themed STEM/STEAM education and activities to schools and local communities.
• Mission Civility Mission Civility is a Space Foundation curriculum used in schools to promote character development, kindness, and civility.
• Space4U Podcasts Space4U Podcasts is a Space Foundation podcast series featuring interviews with space industry professionals and topics of interest to the space community.
• Space Briefing Book The Space Briefing Book is a Space Foundation reference publication covering key topics in space for use by policymakers, educators, and the space community.
• Moon Briefing Book The Moon Briefing Book is a Space Foundation reference publication focused on lunar science, exploration, and commercial activities.
• Space Commerce Webinar Series The Space Commerce Webinar Series is a webinar series covering commercial space topics, providing educational content to the space business community.
• Space Foundation Internship Program The Space Foundation Internship Program places interns across the organization's divisions and projects, providing professional experience in space industry advocacy, education, and events.

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Texas Space CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTexas Space Commission supports the Innovate Space: Finance Forum event and is driving Texas's space ecosystem through a forward-looking economic strategy anchored by $300 million in grant funding to support infrastructure and innovation. Texas plays a commanding role in the global space ecosystem as home to NASA's Johnson Space Center and critical aerospace manufacturers.
• EuroconsultminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal partner engaging and promoting global cooperation among space-faring nations through participation in international space forums.
• German Aerospace Center (DLR)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal partner engaging and promoting global cooperation among space-faring nations through participation in international space forums.
• International Astronautical Federation (IAF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal partner engaging and promoting global cooperation among space-faring nations through participation in international space forums and ensuring global presence at Space Symposium.
• Space Generation Advisory CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal partner engaging young space professionals and promoting global cooperation among space-faring nations through international space forums.
• NASAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpace Foundation created the Certified Space Technology Program in cooperation with NASA to help improve public awareness of the practical benefits enjoyed thanks to space technology. Also collaborates on Space Technology Hall of Fame.
• The Aerospace CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Aerospace Corporation hosts the Faga Forum on Space Intelligence at its Chantilly, Virginia location. The forum is the premier space intelligence event designed for the Intelligence Community at TS/SCI level.
• Petit Family FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpace Foundation partners with Petit Family Foundation for Girls STEM Programs that encourage young girls in STEM fields. Petit Family Foundation was honored with the 2026 Athena Education Award.
• United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpace Foundation executes global engagement through participation in UN COPUOS, presenting at international conferences, and hosting delegations.
• Various Space Agencies and EmbassiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpace Foundation engages with embassies, dignitaries, consulates, government space agencies, and commercial enterprises worldwide through international affairs programs.
• Space Foundation Discovery CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpace Foundation operates Discovery Center as a world-class education center and tourist destination in Colorado Springs, offering programs for students, teachers, and families.
• Tempur-Pedic (Tempur Sealy)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTempur-Pedic was inducted into Space Technology Hall of Fame in 1998 for adapting TEMPUR Material from NASA technology. They have a long-standing relationship with Space Foundation.
• Space Industry Companies (Corporate Members)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCorporate members receive recognition, marketing, business development and networking opportunities, reports on important space issues, and opportunities for involvement in Space Symposium. Space Foundation receives support from a wide range of Corporate Members.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA): AIAA is the largest professional society for aerospace engineering, hosting conferences, publishing journals, and running STEM education programs—directly comparable to Space Foundation's Symposium 365 and Space Education divisions. Both serve as the primary professional convening bodies for the global aerospace community.
• The Planetary Society: The Planetary Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on space exploration advocacy, public engagement, and education—overlapping with Space Foundation's Space Education and Washington Operations missions. Both rely on member/donor support to fund programs that advance public interest in space.
• Commercial Spaceflight Federation: CSF is the industry association representing commercial space transportation companies, providing advocacy and policy engagement in Washington—directly overlapping with Space Foundation's Washington Operations and corporate membership programming for the commercial space sector.
• Secure World Foundation: Secure World Foundation focuses on space sustainability, policy, and international cooperation—closely paralleling Space Foundation's Washington Operations and International Affairs work. Both operate as nonprofit policy/advocacy organizations serving the global space governance community.
• Universities Space Research Association (USRA): USRA operates as a nonprofit consortium advancing space science research and education across universities—directly comparable to Space Foundation's education and workforce development mission. Both bridge academic, government, and industry space communities.
• Challenger Center for Space Science Education: Challenger Center operates student-focused STEM education centers across the U.S.—directly comparable to Space Foundation's Discovery Center and PreK-20 education programs. Both serve as nonprofit space-themed STEM education destinations.
• National Space Club: National Space Club is a nonprofit forum for professionals across the space industry, hosting events and awards (including the Goddard Memorial Dinner)—directly comparable to Space Foundation's Symposium 365, networking events, and industry awards programming.
• Space Center Houston: Space Center Houston is the official visitor center of NASA Johnson Space Center, offering STEM education, exhibits, and field trip programs—directly comparable to Space Foundation's Discovery Center model. Both monetize physical space-education destinations with corporate sponsorship support.
• Satellite Industry Association: SIA is the trade association representing U.S. satellite operators, providing advocacy and policy engagement in Washington—directly comparable to Space Foundation's Washington Operations work on commercial space policy and corporate membership programming for the satellite sector.

Broad incumbents

• International Astronautical Federation (IAF): IAF is the world's leading space advocacy body, hosting the annual International Astronautical Congress and connecting space agencies globally—comparable to Space Foundation's international programming and Symposium model. Already a strategic partner, IAF represents a broader global incumbent role.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/spacefoundation
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SpaceFoundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/Space-Foundation-101353061895
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/65755
• Instagraminstagram.com/spacefoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles27 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Space Foundation