Blue Marble Space Institute of Science

What Blue Marble Space Institute of Science does

Blue Marble Space Institute of Science (BMSIS) is a Seattle-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit research institute founded in 2009, operating as the research arm of Blue Marble Space. The institute conducts interdisciplinary research in astrobiology, planetary habitability, Earth system science, and the long-term future of life, using climate and biosphere models including 3D climate simulations to estimate Earth's habitability timeline. Its research outputs include published work on plant survival under changing solar luminosity and the Project Janus futures studies program, which develops 10 scenarios of Earth and the solar system 1,000 years from now.

BMSIS delivers its work through a portfolio of interconnected programs rather than a single product. Core educational offerings include the Young Scientist Program (a free online three-month research internship for undergraduates and recent graduates with a $20 application fee and lottery alternative) and the Visiting Scholars Program (one-year volunteer positions for graduate-level researchers). Sub-brand projects span science communication (Sciworthy, Ask An Astrobiologist, Explainables, Ad Astra Academy, BMS Insider newsletter), a research database (SALAD for space agriculture literature), accessibility and outreach (BRAILLE, One Flag in Space), and convening activities such as IAUS 404: Advancing the Search for Technosignatures, co-organized with the International Astronomical Union in March 2026.

The institute's revenue model is diversified across donations (via Zeffy and the Supporters' Circle membership), US government research grants, small program application fees, and a merchandise storefront. Affiliate scientists and staff hold placements at NASA Ames, NASA Goddard, the University of Colorado Boulder, and other major research institutions, supporting a community-led go-to-market model in which programs are delivered entirely online to enable participation from most nations. Customer segments are largely non-commercial — research participants, students, and donors — and the organization is governed as a public charity with no venture or private equity ownership.

Name

Blue Marble Space Institute of Science

Legal name

Blue Marble Space Institute of Science

Website

https://bmsis.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Blue Marble Space Institute of Science is a Seattle-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit research institute that conducts astrobiology, planetary habitability, and Earth system science research while running online educational programs for students and graduate-level scholars worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Scientific Research Services

NAICS

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

International Science, Technology & Space Cooperation Organizations (BPADAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Space & Astronomy Programs (EDAMABAE), Research & Lab-Based Short-Term Programs (Undergraduate/Graduate) (EDAIAIAF)

Keywords

• Astrobiology research
• Space science education
• Planetary habitability
• Science communication
• Research mentorship

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: BMS operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity. Contributions are tax-deductible for US taxpayers. The organization accepts donations through Zeffy platform.
2. Government Research Grants: BMS receives US government funds for research activities. Note: due to funding restrictions, cannot extend eligibility to applicants from some nations.
3. Program Application Fees: Young Scientist Program charges a $20 USD application fee. Applicants who cannot afford this fee can submit through a lottery system.
4. Supporter's Circle Membership: Community of donors whose contributions help advance research and sustain programs. Supporters receive exclusive rewards and engagement opportunities with the BMSIS community.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

BMSIS delivers applied astrobiology, planetary science, and Earth system science research, combined with structured online education and mentorship programs. Its core offerings include the Young Scientist Program (a three-month online research internship for undergraduates), the Visiting Scholars Program (one-year volunteer research positions for graduate-level researchers), futures studies research through Project Janus, science communication platforms such as Sciworthy and Ask An Astrobiologist, and hosted scientific symposia like IAUS 404 on technosignatures.

Product overview

Blue Marble Space Institute of Science (BMSIS) is a nonprofit research institute structured as a platform of interconnected programs rather than a unified software product. The portfolio consists of educational programs (Young Scientist Program for undergraduates, Visiting Scholars Program for graduate-level researchers), science communication platforms (Sciworthy, Ask An Astrobiologist, Explainables, Ad Astra Academy, BMS Insider Newsletter), research databases (SALAD for space agriculture literature), and futures studies initiatives (Project Janus exploring 10 scenarios of Earth's future). BMSIS also organizes scientific symposia including IAUS 404 on technosignature detection and hosts projects like One Flag in Space and the NASA BRAILLE accessibility initiative. The organization enables scientists and educators to conduct astrobiology and planetary science research while mentoring the next generation of space science professionals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Young Scientist Program (YSP): Program for college students and recent graduates to participate in research as Research Associates
• Visiting Scholars Program (VSP)
• Project Janus
• BMS Insider
• Supporters Circle

Products and services

• Young Scientist Program (YSP) A three-month online research internship program for undergraduate students and recent graduates, providing opportunities to participate in basic research under BMS scientist supervision, with required modules in science communication and ethics.
• Visiting Scholars Program (VSP) One-year volunteer positions for individuals with graduate degrees or currently enrolled in graduate programs, supervised by a BMS Research Scientist, focusing on research collaboration and professional development.
• Project Janus A futures studies project developing 10 unique scenarios of Earth and the solar system 1000 years from now, designed to explore the range of possibilities for humanity's long-term future and serve as analogues for extraterrestrial technosignatures.
• Sciworthy A science communication platform that publishes accessible science news and articles for general audiences.
• SALAD (Space Agriculture Laboratory Analysis Database) A free searchable database of published and unpublished scientific literature related to plant research for space applications, designed for researchers and space entrepreneurs.
• Ask An Astrobiologist A public question-and-answer platform connecting audiences with astrobiology experts.
• IAUS 404: Advancing the Search for Technosignatures An online symposium (March 2-6, 2026) bringing together researchers to discuss theoretical, instrumental, observational, and data analysis approaches for detecting technosignatures from exoplanets and solar system exploration.
• BMS Insider Newsletter A newsletter providing updates on BMS research, opportunities in Earth science and space exploration, and news on Earth and space science.

Quantifiable outcome

• 487+ students trained through Young Scientist Program from 40+ nations
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• International Astronomical Union (IAU)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 March 2026BMSIS co-organized IAUS 404: Advancing the Search for Technosignatures, an online symposium held March 2-6, 2026. The event featured contributions on theoretical, instrumental, observational, or data analysis ideas for characterizing and detecting technosignatures. Jacob Haqq-Misra served on the Scientific Organizing Committee and Graham Lau on the Online Organizing Committee.
• University of Colorado BouldercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEric Wolf, affiliated with Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics at University of Colorado Boulder, collaborated with BMSIS researcher Jacob Haqq-Misra on planetary habitability research using 3D climate models to study when Earth will become uninhabitable.
• NASA Ames Research CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMany BMSIS scientists and staff have research affiliations with NASA Ames Research Center, including Sanjoy Som (Exobiology research scientist), Jennifer Blank (Division of Space Sciences & Astrobiology), and numerous staff scientists working at the center.
• NASA Goddard Space Flight CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRavi Kopparapu from NASA Goddard Space Flight Center serves on the Scientific Organizing Committee for IAUS 404 symposium, indicating ongoing collaboration with BMSIS on astrobiology research.
• Nordic Institute of Theoretical PhysicsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeatriz Villarroel from Nordic Institute of Theoretical Physics serves on the Scientific Organizing Committee for IAUS 404, contributing to BMSIS-led technosignatures research initiatives.
• University of St AndrewsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMartin Dominik from University of St Andrews (UK) serves on the Scientific Organizing Committee for IAUS 404 symposium on technosignatures research.
• SciworthyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBMSIS project providing science communication content through Sciworthy.com, offering free science news and articles to general audiences.
• One Flag in SpaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBMSIS project enabling people to send messages and photos to space, fostering global connection and awareness of Earth as a shared home.
• Ask An AstrobiologistminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBMSIS project at askastrobio.org providing public access to astrobiology expertise and answers to questions about space and life.
• Ad Astra AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBMSIS-supported educational initiative promoting space science education through programs at adastra.world.
• Greenflash Conservation / Sea of Cortez ExpeditionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBMSIS project retracing Steinbeck's Sea of Cortez expedition, combining marine science with science communication and outreach.
• NASA Braille ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBMSIS-supported initiative making space science accessible through Braille materials at nasa-braille.org.
• ExplainablesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBMSIS project at explainables.org focused on making complex scientific concepts accessible to general audiences.
• Young Scientist Program Alumni NetworkcoreOthers487+ alumni from over 40 nations who have completed the YSP program and represent a growing global network of BMSIS-affiliated early-career scientists and professionals.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SETI Institute: Nonprofit research organization focused on astrobiology, technosignature searches, and space science education. Highly comparable to BMSIS in mission, affiliation model with NASA researchers, and public engagement programming.
• The Planetary Society: Nonprofit space advocacy and education organization that funds research and engages global audiences on planetary science. Comparable in nonprofit model, donor-funded revenue mix, and outreach-through-research mission.
• Space Science Institute: Nonprofit research and education institute conducting space and earth science research with affiliated scientists and education programs. Directly comparable as a multi-program space/earth science nonprofit.

Broad incumbents

• Universities Space Research Association: Nonprofit consortium of universities that operates research facilities and conducts space and earth science. Comparable as a larger nonprofit research entity enabling distributed scientific collaboration.
• NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI successor programs): NASA-coordinated network of astrobiology research teams across universities and institutions. Comparable in research scope on habitability and astrobiology, though governmental rather than independent nonprofit.
• National Space Society: Nonprofit space advocacy organization promoting space exploration and education. Comparable in donor-funded nonprofit model and educational outreach mission, though heavier on policy advocacy.

Regional players

• Astrobiology Society of Britain: UK-based membership society promoting astrobiology research and education. Comparable as an astrobiology-focused community organization, though geographically focused on Britain.

Others

• International Astronomical Union: International organization coordinating astronomy research and symposia. Comparable as a convener of the global astronomy community and partner in IAUS 404 symposium.
• SciStarter: Online platform connecting public audiences to citizen science and research participation. Comparable to BMSIS programs like Sciworthy and Ask An Astrobiologist in enabling public engagement with science.

Emerging players

• Carl Sagan Institute: Research center at Cornell focused on astrobiology, exoplanets, and the search for life. Comparable as an academic astrobiology research hub with overlapping scientific scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BlueMarbleSpace
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@BlueMarbleSpace
• Facebookfacebook.com/BMSInstituteofScience
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bmsis
• Instagraminstagram.com/bluemarblespace

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Blue Marble Space Institute of Science