International Space University

What International Space University does

International Space University (ISU) is a private non-profit institution founded in 1987, headquartered in Illkirch-Graffenstaden (Strasbourg), France, and recognized by the French Ministry of Education as an institute of higher education (decree MENS0400386A of 27 February 2004). It is the only university globally dedicated entirely to space education, delivering interdisciplinary programs spanning engineering, science, policy, economics, law, entrepreneurship, and human factors. Core offerings include the Master of Space Studies (MSS), the Space Studies Program (SSP), the Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program (SHSSP), Executive Space Courses (ESC) delivered worldwide, and — launched in February 2026 — a fully online Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Space Research positioned as the world's first online interdisciplinary master's degree devoted exclusively to space research. Specialized infrastructure comprises a radio telescope, optical telescopes, a satellite ground station, a concurrent engineering facility, an Excalibur Almaz reusable orbital science spacecraft, a Self-deployable Habitat for Extreme Environments (SHEE), and space payloads and life sciences labs, with some equipment donated by ESA. ISU is governed by a Board of Trustees that includes institutional members (ASI, CASC, CNES, ESA, Israel Space Agency, JAXA, NASA, UK Space Agency) and corporate members (Airbus Defence and Space, Boeing, Canadensys Aerospace, Manx Precision Optics, SES, The Aerospace Corporation).

Name

International Space University

Legal name

International Space University

Website

https://isunet.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Closed

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

ISU is a private non-profit institution founded in 1987 and the only university globally devoted entirely to interdisciplinary space education, serving aspiring professionals, executives, and space agencies through on-campus, partner-hosted, and online programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education - Space Studies

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International Science, Technology & Space Cooperation Organizations (BPADAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Online International & Cross-Border Universities (Global/Transnational Providers) (EDAHALAL), Field Schools & Experiential Academic Programs (Archaeology, Ecology, etc.) (EDAIAIAG), Research & Lab-Based Short-Term Programs (Undergraduate/Graduate) (EDAIAIAF)

Keywords

• Space education
• Graduate programs
• Professional training
• Space research
• Executive education

Headquarters

HQ city

Illkirch-graffenstaden

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Program Fees: Revenue from graduate programs including Master of Space Studies, Space Studies Program, Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program, Executive Space Courses, and the new online MPhil program. Fee structures vary by program with specific pricing for transcripts and services.
2. Professional Services and Short Courses: Revenue from Executive Space Courses delivered worldwide in partnership with local institutions, and specialized training programs for professionals.
3. Sponsorship and Institutional Funding: Support from space agencies (CNES, ESA, NASA, JAXA, ISRO, etc.), government organizations, private sector companies, and non-profit organizations. ISU is recognized as a private non-profit institution.
4. Transcripts and Administrative Services: Fee-based transcript services (15€ or US$21 for up to 3 copies), merchandise, and other administrative services through the ISU Hub store.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

International Space University delivers interdisciplinary graduate-level education and professional training programs dedicated exclusively to space. Offerings include the Master of Space Studies (MSS), a fully online Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Space Research, the Space Studies Program (SSP), Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program (SHSSP), and Executive Space Courses (ESC) delivered worldwide. Programs integrate engineering, science, policy, economics, law, and human factors, supported by a global alumni network of 6,000+ across 110+ countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Space Research A fully online asynchronous Master of Philosophy in Space Research offering rigorous research training through a mentorship model with former astronauts and academic supervisors, for engineers, researchers, and policy professionals seeking an interdisciplinary research degree without campus presence.
• Master of Space Studies (MSS) On-campus Master of Space Studies at the Central Campus in Strasbourg, providing an interdisciplinary graduate degree for space professionals and aspiring leaders in the space sector.
• Space Studies Program (SSP) Intensive summer interdisciplinary space education program held worldwide each year, providing comprehensive space sector exposure for participants from diverse backgrounds.
• Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program (SHSSP) Four-week immersive summer experience held annually in partnership with Adelaide University, South Australia, providing interdisciplinary space industry exposure covering engineering, science, law, policy, entrepreneurship, and more.
• Executive Space Courses (ESC) Compact, high-impact training programs delivered worldwide in partnership with local institutions, providing professionals with a comprehensive and interdisciplinary introduction to the global space sector.
• ISU Incubator Startup incubator for space-related ventures, providing multidisciplinary expertise, international networks, and incubation support for space entrepreneurs and startups, operating as part of the ESA BIC Nord France network.
• Transcript and Administrative Services Fee-based transcript services (15 EUR or US$21 for up to 3 copies) and other administrative services through the ISU Hub store, with additional courier fees for international delivery.

Quantifiable outcome

• 6,000+ alumni network across 110+ countries
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and supporting.

• Rakia MissioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 February 2026MoU signed for academic, research, and professional collaboration aimed at advancing space education, research, and professional training to strengthen Israel's integration into the global space ecosystem. Collaboration includes joint training programs, increased participation of Israelis in ISU flagship programs, and joint research initiatives in human spaceflight, space policy, education, and innovation.
• Prince Sultan University (PSU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 December 2025Collaboration to deliver Executive Space Course (ESC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. PSU is the first non-profit private university in the Kingdom, founded under guidance of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The partnership supports Saudi Arabia's growing role in the international space community.
• Space Academy (Saudi Space Agency)keyGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 December 2025Space Academy, affiliated with the Saudi Space Agency, joins as Knowledge Partner for ESC26 Saudi Arabia, contributing to development of space education and capacity building across the Kingdom through national space policy alignment.
• ESA BIC Nord FrancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2025Strategic partnership making ISU part of ESA's business incubation network dedicated to space startups and applications. Reinforces synergies between entrepreneurship, research, and education within European space sector.
• European Commission / EUSPAkeyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025ISU selected as local organizer for 9th CASSINI Hackathon - Space for Healthcare, a European Commission initiative implemented by EUSPA - EU Agency for the Space Programme. Hackathon tackled healthcare challenges using EU space technologies.
• BioValley FrancesupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025Co-organizer of Cassini Hackathon and partner in supporting space innovation ecosystem in Grand Est region. Contributes to Space & Health ecosystem development.
• Alsace DigitalesupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025Co-organizer of Cassini Hackathon, bringing digital innovation community together with space sector in Grand Est region.
• SEMIAsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025Partner in Cassini Hackathon and startup ecosystem support in Grand Est region.
• NATO Science for Peace and Security ProgrammekeyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 April 2025Supported Advanced Research Workshop on 'The Evolution of Space for Security and Prosperity' at ISU Central Campus, uniting space industry, academia, and NATO experts.
• Hokkaido UniversitykeyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2025Collaboration to deliver ESC25 Hokkaido in Japan. Hokkaido University (Hokudai) is a public research university founded in 1918, fifth-oldest government-authorised university in Japan, renowned for strong research tradition.
• UNISEC-GlobalsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2025Partner in ESC25 Hokkaido delivery. UNISEC-Global empowers individuals and institutions worldwide by making space science and technology accessible across all nations and sectors.
• Adelaide UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to deliver Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program (SHSSP), a four-week immersive experience held each year. Combines ISU's global, interdisciplinary approach with Adelaide's strong academic and research foundation.
• CNESkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench space agency providing institutional support, equipment donations (including ESA-donated tools), and partnership in events like Metal Additive Manufacturing Day.
• Eurométropole de StrasbourgkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional government body providing support for ISU Incubator and startups, contributing to Strasbourg's positioning as space innovation hub.
• SEMIAsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerStartup incubator network partner providing access to funding opportunities and regional innovation ecosystem support.
• French Tech EstsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench Tech community in East France connecting startups to national innovation network and resources.
• AériadessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAerospace competitiveness cluster in Grand Est region, supporting space innovation and industry development.
• ConectussupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology transfer organization connecting startups with research institutions and academic resources.
• Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publisherskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublisher partnership making New Space journal the official journal of ISU, amplifying distribution and impact of research conducted by ISU faculty and students.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: World's largest fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace, offering undergraduate and graduate space-related degrees. Most direct comparison to ISU as a specialized aerospace/space higher education institution serving a similar student persona.
• ISAE-SUPAERO: Leading French aerospace engineering Grande École based in Toulouse, offering MSc and specialized programs in space engineering and astronautics. Closest French peer to ISU in aerospace higher education with overlapping European space agency relationships.
• Cranfield University: UK postgraduate-only university with one of Europe's largest space engineering research groups, offering space-focused MSc and research degrees. Comparable postgraduate space education model with similar international student profile.
• Florida Institute of Technology: US private university with renowned aerospace engineering and space science programs, including astronautics specialization. Direct comparable as a private technical university with strong space-focused degree offerings.
• TU Delft Faculty of Aerospace Engineering: Top European aerospace engineering faculty offering BSc, MSc, and PhD programs with strong space systems engineering focus. Comparable European peer combining technical depth with international student body.
• Politecnico di Torino: Italian technical university with one of Europe's leading space engineering programs and active collaborations with ESA and Italian Space Agency. Comparable European technical university with space specialization.
• University of Surrey (Surrey Space Centre): UK university with internationally recognized space engineering research centre that has launched multiple small satellites and offers MSc in Space Engineering. Direct comparable in postgraduate space research and education.

Emerging players

• Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech): Private research university established with MIT collaboration offering space and engineering programs with strong industry ties. Emerging private space-research-focused university with comparable interdisciplinary structure.

Broad incumbents

• California Institute of Technology (Caltech): Top-tier research university with world-leading space science and aerospace engineering programs through JPL partnership. Established broader incumbent with significant space capabilities, though not space-exclusive.
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): Premier research university with multiple space-related departments including Aero/Astro, MIT Media Lab Space Exploration Initiative, and strong industry partnerships. Broad incumbent with significant space programs though not exclusively focused on space.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/isunet
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SpaceUniversity
• Facebookfacebook.com/364362536909391
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/21037
• Instagraminstagram.com/spaceuniversity

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 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 International Space University