Higher Orbits

What Higher Orbits does

Higher Orbits is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2016 by Michelle Lucas, a former NASA International Space Station Flight Control Operations planner and Astronaut Instructor. The organization's mission is to promote STEM/STEAM education alongside leadership, teamwork, and communication skills for high school students by using spaceflight as the engagement platform. It is headquartered in the United States, operates with 1-10 employees, and is governed by an independent Board of Directors with no parent company or institutional investors.

The flagship product is Go For Launch!, a multi-day program (not overnight) where teams of students in grades 8-12 design scientific experiments under the mentorship of retired NASA astronauts and space industry professionals. Winning experiments are sent to the International Space Station through a logistics partnership with Space Tango and conducted in space by real astronauts; to date, 24 experiments have reached the ISS. Supporting programs include the EASE Space Coalition (broadening access for underrepresented students), Stars in Orbit (invitation-only extended mentorship), the International Science School in Sydney (5 U.S. students selected annually since 2019), conference participation at ASCEND/IAC/AIAA SciTech/Von Braun/ASGSR, Higher Orbits Talks video content, the annual Galactic Golf fundraiser, and the Space Song for STEM music initiative (Trip Harriss's rendition of Clair de Lune). The organization has run 100 events across 23 U.S. states with 3,000+ alumni.

The business model is a diversified nonprofit revenue stack: individual donations (PayPal, Venmo, securities, IRA Charitable Rollovers), corporate sponsorships at tiered levels (Apollo, Eagle Team, Columbia Team, Chip-In Supporters for fundraisers; Stellar Sojourner through Intergalactic Voyagers for events), event registration fees on a $25-$350 sliding scale with scholarships, music streaming royalties, and event-driven fundraising (Galactic Golf). Distribution is entirely direct and event-driven through partnerships with schools, universities, Challenger Learning Centers, and corporate campuses (Amazon HQ, NewSpace Nexus, Redstone FCU, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex), with no proprietary technology platform, no API, and no app — the underlying "technology" is the operational pipeline from classroom experiment to ISS execution via Space Tango.

Name

Higher Orbits

Legal name

Higher Orbits

Website

https://higherorbits.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Higher Orbits is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs multi-day Go For Launch! events for U.S. high school students, enabling teams to design experiments launched to the International Space Station, supported by astronaut mentorship, corporate sponsorships, donations, and event registration fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

STEM Education

NAICS

Flight Training (611512)

akta.pro primary industry

Space & Astronomy Programs (EDAMABAE)

Keywords

• Stem education programs
• Space education
• Student enrichment programs
• Nonprofit education
• Science outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Aurora

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations: General donations from individuals allow Higher Orbits to grant scholarships to students for Space and STEM related programs. Donations are accepted via PayPal, Venmo, and stock/cash/securities transfers. The organization also accepts IRA Charitable Rollovers.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors enable Go For Launch! events to be hosted across the country, carving the way for student-led research. Sponsorships range from event-level to multi-year partnerships and are solicited at various tiers (e.g., Stellar Sojourner, Pluto Pioneers, Lunar Rovers, Earth Orbit Club, Intergalactic Voyagers for event sponsors; Apollo, Eagle Team, Columbia Team, Chip-In Supporters for the Galactic Golf outing).
3. Event Registration Fees: Registration fees for Go For Launch! events range from $25 to $75 per student at standard events, with some events offered on a 'pay what you can' sliding scale up to $350 (standard program cost), enabling broad access regardless of financial circumstance.
4. Music Sales and Streaming Royalties: Space Song for STEM: A Moonlight Melody — Trip Harriss records and releases a rendition of Debussy's Clair de Lune. All proceeds from streams on subscription services (Spotify, Apple Music, etc.) and digital purchases (iTunes, Pandora) benefit the Higher Orbits mission.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Higher Orbits is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that operates the Go For Launch! program, a multi-day STEM event for high school students where teams design science experiments, with the winning experiment launched to the International Space Station. The organization also runs complementary programs including the EASE Space Coalition, Stars in Orbit mentorship, International Science School, Conference Participation Program, Galactic Golf fundraising event, and the Space Song For STEM music initiative.

Product overview

Higher Orbits is a 501(c)(3) non-profit STEM education organization with a mission to inspire and engage high-school students through spaceflight and hands-on, project-based learning experiences. The organization operates primarily through its flagship Go For Launch! program, a multiday event series where students design experiments that are launched to the International Space Station. Supporting programs include the EASE Space Coalition for broadening access, Stars in Orbit mentorship program for continued engagement, the International Science School in Sydney for international STEM experiences, Conference Participation for professional development, Higher Orbits Talks video content, Galactic Golf fundraising events, and the Space Song For STEM music initiative. The organization has sent 24 experiments to space and reached over 2,500 students across 23 states.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Go For Launch!: A multi-day program (not overnight) that uses Space Exploration as a platform to launch student involvement in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), STEAM (Art), teamwork, communication and leadership for high school-aged students.
• EASE Space Coalition
• Stars in Orbit

Products and services

• Go For Launch! Multi-day STEM program for high school students where teams design science experiments, with the winning experiment launched to the International Space Station through partner Space Tango. Events are priced on a sliding scale ($25-$350) to maximize accessibility.

Quantifiable outcome

• 24 experiments have been launched to and conducted aboard the International Space Station
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Space TangocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Space Tango is a key operational partner responsible for sending student experiments to the International Space Station. Through the Go For Launch! program, winning experiments are built and sent to the ISS via Space Tango's facilities and logistics, making this partnership central to the program's unique value proposition of enabling students to conduct real science in space.
• SamsoniteminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Samsonite generously donated luggage to each of the five 2025 U.S. students representing the USA at the International Science School in Sydney, Australia, ensuring students had quality luggage for their 7,500-mile journey.
• Club for Future (CFTF)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured sponsor of Higher Orbits with a logo displayed on the Sponsors & Partners page, indicating a marketing partnership to support the organization's mission.
• Tech-MaxminorGTM or Marketing PartnerApollo-level sponsor of the 2026 Galactic Golf Outing, providing Go for Lunch! & Beverages and serving as a Food & Beverage Cart Sponsor.
• Scot ForgeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the 2026 Galactic Golf Outing, hosting the Donut Station. Scot Forge has also partnered with Higher Orbits at Space Symposium 2026.
• VeilantminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the 2026 Galactic Golf Outing.
• SMR Strategic InvestmentsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEagle Team Sponsor of the 2026 Galactic Golf Outing.
• Vzable EducationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEagle Team Sponsor of the 2026 Galactic Golf Outing.
• RBCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerColumbia Team Sponsor of the 2026 Galactic Golf Outing.
• WintrustminorGTM or Marketing PartnerColumbia Team Sponsor of the 2026 Galactic Golf Outing.
• GPM (GPM Manufacturing)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerColumbia Team Sponsor of the 2026 Galactic Golf Outing.
• FlowserveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerColumbia Team Sponsor of the 2026 Galactic Golf Outing.
• NewSpace Nexus LaunchpadcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNewSpace Nexus Launchpad in Albuquerque, NM serves as the venue and host for Go For Launch! Albuquerque 2026, providing facilities and local support for the two-day STEM event targeting students in grades 8-12.
• Redstone Federal Credit UnioncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHost venue for Go For Launch! Huntsville events, including the 2026 event. Located at 220 Wynn Dr. NW, Huntsville, AL 35893, Redstone Federal Credit Union provides the facilities for the multi-day program.
• AmazoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmazon serves as the host venue for Go For Launch! Arlington, VA 2026 at Amazon Headquarters 2 (525 14th St. S, Arlington, VA 22202), providing facilities for the two-day student STEM event.
• Lake Superior State University (LSSU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLSSU in Sault Ste. Marie, MI hosts Go For Launch! events at its campus (650 W Easterday Ave, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783), including the 2026 event. The university provides facilities and academic credibility for the STEM program.
• Mott Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMott Community College's Regional Technology Center at 1401 E. Court St., Flint MI 48503 hosts Go For Launch! Flint 2026, providing facilities for the two-day event targeting students in grades 8-12.
• Challenger Learning Center (Las Cruces)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Challenger Learning Center in Las Cruces, NM served as the venue for Higher Orbits' first Go For Launch! event in New Mexico in September 2025, bringing together students in grades 8-12 from across the Las Cruces Public Schools district.
• Midland Development CorporationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnered with Midland ISD and Chevron to bring the Go For Launch! program back to the Permian Basin for events in Midland, TX, providing funding and organizational support.
• Midland ISDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMidland Independent School District partnered with the Midland Development Corporation and Chevron to host Go For Launch! events at Abell Junior High School in Midland, TX.
• ChevroncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerChevron partnered with the Midland Development Corporation and Midland ISD to bring Go For Launch! back to the Permian Basin, providing corporate sponsorship and support for the multi-day STEM event.
• CIRIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIRI (Cook Inlet Region, Inc.) partnered with Higher Orbits to present a Go For Launch! event exclusively for CIRI Descendants and Stakeholders in Colorado Springs, CO in July 2026, demonstrating a targeted DEI partnership to broaden access to STEM education.
• Generation TrademinorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor that provided support for Nogales High School student Alexis Simon to attend the Higher Orbits Student Symposium: Alumni Reunion in Chicago.
• Dr. Jaw OrthodonticsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor that provided support for Nogales High School student Alexis Simon to attend the Higher Orbits Student Symposium: Alumni Reunion in Chicago.
• Calixtro DistributingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor that provided support for Nogales High School student Alexis Simon to attend the Higher Orbits Student Symposium: Alumni Reunion in Chicago.
• Stella Maris School (Mt. Pleasant, SC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStella Maris School at 1183 Russell Drive, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464 hosts Go For Launch! Charleston 2026, serving as the venue for the two-day event.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• U.S. Space & Rocket Center (Space Camp): Operates the iconic Space Camp programs that engage school-age students in immersive space-themed STEM experiences. Direct peer in mission and audience, with a longer operating history and broader residential program offering.
• Brooke Owens Fellowship: Aerospace internship and fellowship program that has hosted Higher Orbits alumni as Fellows. Operates in adjacent talent-pipeline space for the aerospace industry, serving similar student demographics.
• Cosmosphere: Space museum and education center in Hutchinson, KS offering immersive STEM camps and space-themed programs for school-age students. Comparable in mission and experiential STEM delivery.
• Space Center Houston: Official visitor center of NASA Johnson Space Center offering space-themed educational programs, summer camps, and STEM experiences for students. Direct peer with much larger infrastructure.
• Challenger Learning Centers: Network of science centers hosting space-themed simulated mission experiences for students, including the Las Cruces center that partners with Higher Orbits. Closely comparable in audience and space-themed STEM programming.
• Sally Ride Science: Space-focused STEM education organization founded in honor of astronaut Sally Ride, delivering programs and resources that inspire students — particularly girls — in STEM. Direct peer in mission and astronaut-anchored branding.

Broad incumbents

• Space Foundation: Large aerospace advocacy and education organization running space-inspired STEM programs, teacher training, and the Space Symposium — overlapping with Higher Orbits in mission and conference participation.
• AIAA STEM Programs: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics runs aerospace education and outreach programs serving the same student demographic and aerospace-career pipeline that Higher Orbits targets.
• Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum: National museum delivering space-themed educational programming and STEM outreach to school-age audiences. Functions as a broad incumbent in the same inspiration-to-career pipeline that Higher Orbits serves.
• FIRST Robotics: Global K-12 STEM engagement organization delivering project-based robotics competitions. Comparable in mission (inspiring students through hands-on STEM) and target demographic, but with far greater scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/higherorbits
• Facebookfacebook.com/higherorbits

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 Higher Orbits