What Space for Humanity does

Space for Humanity is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2016 and headquartered in Boulder/Denver, Colorado, with a mission to democratize access to space. Its core offering is the Citizen Astronaut Program (CAP), which sponsors purpose-driven leaders from diverse backgrounds to experience suborbital spaceflight and develop the cognitive and leadership transformation known as the "Overview Effect." Selected participants receive full sponsorship covering training, spaceflight tickets, travel, and accommodations, with structured pre-flight preparation, post-flight integration, and a year-long impact project delivered through the Leadership, Impact, and Development Initiative (LCDI). The organization partners with spaceflight providers Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic, offers a complementary Zero-G training program via Zero-G Corporation, and uses Paragon Strategic Advisory for conscious-leadership training designed for the Overview Effect experience.

The organization has no traditional revenue-generating product; all programs are provided at no cost to participants and funded through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, philanthropic grants, the Vision Circle major-donor program, and cryptocurrency gifts. Space for Humanity is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by founder Dylan Taylor (also Chairman and CEO of Voyager Space), with day-to-day operations led by Executive Director Antonio Peronace. Go-to-market relies on earned media coverage in 25+ major outlets, high-profile events (Smithsonian, SXSW, Awesome Con, Library of Congress, Celestial Soiree), content marketing through its newsletter "The Overview" and the "Humans of Our Planet" video series, and partnerships with major media brands including Amazon MGM Studios and William Shatner's "You Can Call Me Bill."

Notable program milestones include sponsoring Katya Echazarreta (first Mexican-born woman in space, 2022), Sara Sabry (first Egyptian and African woman in space, 2022), Keisha Schahaff (Virgin Galactic Galactic 02), Amanda Nguyen, Emily Calandrelli (100th woman in space), and supporting Ed Dwight's flight at age 90. The organization supported formation of the bipartisan Advancing Humanity in Space Congressional Caucus (AHSCC) and partners with the Smithsonian, the UN Office of Outer Space Affairs, and Luna Replicas. A significant strategic risk is Blue Origin's announced minimum two-year pause of its New Shepard program, which has historically been S4H's primary spaceflight partner and is now prompting diversification across Virgin Galactic and Zero-G.

Name

Space for Humanity

Legal name

Space for Humanity

Website

https://spaceforhumanity.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Space for Humanity is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that sponsors purpose-driven leaders from diverse backgrounds to experience suborbital spaceflight through its Citizen Astronaut Program. Founded in 2016, the organization funds full training, spaceflight, and post-flight leadership development to amplify the Overview Effect.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit space advocacy and sponsored astronaut leadership programs

NAICS

Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation (481219)

SIC

Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522)

akta.pro primary industry

International Science, Technology & Space Cooperation Organizations (BPADAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Experiential & Cultural Programming (Tours, Activities, CSR/Voluntourism) (THAHADAF)

Keywords

• Citizen astronaut program
• Space advocacy nonprofit
• Overview effect training
• Zero gravity program
• Leadership spaceflight sponsorship

Headquarters

HQ city

Denver

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a US-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Space for Humanity is funded primarily through donations from individuals, corporations, and philanthropic foundations. The organization accepts donations via its website, offers a Vision Circle giving program for major donors, and accepts cryptocurrency contributions. There is no revenue-generating product or service; all programs are offered free to selected Citizen Astronauts who receive full sponsorship covering training, spaceflight tickets, travel, and accommodations.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Space for Humanity is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that sponsors purpose-driven leaders from diverse backgrounds to experience suborbital spaceflight through its Citizen Astronaut Program (CAP), enabling participants to undergo the cognitive shift known as the Overview Effect and return to drive positive impact on Earth. The organization fully covers training, spaceflight ticket, travel, and accommodations at no cost to selected participants, and supplements the flight with Paragon-designed leadership training, post-flight integration support, and a year-long Leadership, Impact, and Development Initiative (LCDI). It is funded by individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and philanthropic grants, and operates vehicle-agnostically across Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic.

Product overview

Space for Humanity is a nonprofit organization operating as a single, unified social impact mission rather than a traditional product portfolio. The core offering is the Citizen Astronaut Program (CAP), a sponsored spaceflight experience that sends purpose-driven leaders to space to experience the Overview Effect and return as leaders committed to positive global change. This is supported by complementary programs including the Zero-G Training Program for microgravity experiences, the Leadership Impact and Development Initiative (LCDI) for post-flight impact projects, the Vision Circle donor program, the Inclusion Council for ensuring inclusive space access, and the Alliance Network of partners. The organization also offers the Citizen Astronaut Ambassador Program for independent space travelers and the Humans of Our Planet video series for outreach and education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Citizen Astronaut Program (CAP): A sponsored spaceflight program that sends purpose-driven leaders to space to experience the Overview Effect and create lasting positive impact on Earth.
• Zero-G Program
• Humans of Our Planet
• The Overview Effect

Products and services

• Citizen Astronaut Program (CAP)
• Zero-G Training Program
• Leadership, Impact, and Development Initiative (LCDI)
• Citizen Astronaut Ambassador Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 32 people went to space in first 8 months of 2022; S4H sponsored 2 of them (Katya Echazarreta and Sara Sabry) as first Mexican-born woman and first Egyptian/African woman in space
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Luna ReplicascoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 April 2026Luna Replicas invited Space for Humanity to San Diego for a rare behind-the-scenes look at 'Integrity,' the Orion capsule that carried the Artemis II crew on its historic 10-day journey around the Moon. Luna Replicas made the ball caps the astronauts donned after their return and facilitated S4H's unique access to the spacecraft and USS John P. Murtha.
• Amazon MGM StudioscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 March 2026Space for Humanity partnered with Amazon MGM Studios to host a special advance screening of the film 'Project Hail Mary' at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, celebrating exploration and humanity's potential. S4H collaborated on the event surrounding the film's release, with Citizen Astronaut Ambassador Amanda Nguyen conducting a pre-recorded Q&A with author Andy Weir. S4H team members and astronauts attended the film's U.S. premiere at Lincoln Center, were recognized by directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, and walked the red carpet alongside the film's stars.
• Interstellar LabminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 July 2024Interstellar Lab was a sponsor of the 'FORTITUDE: Forging The Trillion Dollar Space Economy' premiere event hosted by Space for Humanity at the Library of Congress. Barbara Belvisi of Interstellar Lab participated in the panel discussion alongside S4H founder Dylan Taylor.
• Firefly AerospaceminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 July 2024Firefly Aerospace was a sponsor of the 'FORTITUDE: Forging The Trillion Dollar Space Economy' premiere event hosted by Space for Humanity at the Library of Congress.
• Karman Line SpaceminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 July 2024Karman Line Space was a sponsor of the 'FORTITUDE: Forging The Trillion Dollar Space Economy' premiere event hosted by Space for Humanity at the Library of Congress.
• United States Space Force Historical SocietyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 July 2024The United States Space Force Historical Society was a sponsor of the 'FORTITUDE: Forging The Trillion Dollar Space Economy' premiere event hosted by Space for Humanity at the Library of Congress.
• William Shatner / CCG Guardian Entertainment / Legion MminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 March 2023Space for Humanity was selected as the beneficiary for William Shatner's documentary 'You Can Call Me Bill.' Executive producer CCG Guardian Entertainment agreed to donate 25% of their gross producer revenue from the documentary to S4H. The film explores Shatner's life including his trip to space aboard Blue Origin NS-18 and his Overview Effect experience. The documentary was financed by over 1,200 fan-investors through Legion M and premiered at SXSW 2023.
• Paragon Strategic AdvisorycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerS4H partnered with Paragon, a strategic advisory group focused on conscious leadership development programs, to design and implement the first-ever training program built specifically for the Overview Effect. Paragon designed training modules to optimize Citizen Astronauts' ability to navigate the Overview Effect experience, fully integrate it, and equip them to lead from an Overview Perspective.
• Blue OrigincoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpace for Humanity has utilized Blue Origin's New Shepard suborbital flights to send Citizen Astronauts to space. S4H expressed gratitude to Blue Origin following the company's announcement to pause its New Shepard program for a minimum of two years, noting that suborbital flights represent just one part of S4H's broader constellation of programs. S4H's Citizen Astronauts including Katya Echazarreta, Sara Sabry, and Amanda Nguyen have flown aboard New Shepard missions.
• Virgin GalacticcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpace for Humanity has partnered with Virgin Galactic to send Citizen Astronaut Program graduates to space aboard VSS Unity. Keisha Schahaff flew to space as a CAP graduate aboard Virgin Galactic's Galactic 02 mission after winning two tickets through a Space for Humanity fundraiser. S4H noted it will continue its mission regardless of the logo on the rocket.
• NASA / Advancing Humanity in Space Congressional Caucus (AHSCC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpace for Humanity partnered with lawmakers to support the formation of the bipartisan Advancing Humanity in Space Congressional Caucus (AHSCC), dedicated to strengthening American leadership in space. S4H Executive Director Antonio Peronace met with Rep. Mike Haridopolos (R-FL) and Rep. George Whitesides (D-CA) to discuss space's ability to bring people together across political divides.
• United Nations Office of Outer Space AffairsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpace for Humanity advanced space diplomacy by supporting initiatives connected to the United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs, helping to ensure that conversations about space include responsibility, cooperation, and shared future considerations on the global stage.
• Smithsonian National Air and Space MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpace for Humanity co-hosted the 'Project Hail Mary' advance screening with Amazon Public Policy at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. S4H was also immortalized at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum as part of the Futures in Space exhibit, permanently featuring S4H in the annals of space history.
• Zero-G CorporationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpace for Humanity expanded its Zero-G program in partnership with Zero-G Corporation, providing parabolic (weightlessness) flight experiences for participants who want to experience microgravity without reaching the Karman Line. The program creates new pathways for people to experience weightlessness and wonder, with participants from six nations in 2025.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Yuri's Night: Nonprofit that hosts the annual worldwide space celebration honoring Yuri Gagarin's flight. Operates in the same space-advocacy nonprofit category as S4H, with comparable event-driven community engagement (S4H's Celestial Soiree and Yuri's Night share audiences and partners).
• The Planetary Society: The world's largest nonprofit space advocacy organization, co-founded by Carl Sagan and currently led by Bill Nye. Directly comparable to Space for Humanity as a 501(c)(3) driving public engagement and education around space access, though focused on planetary science and exploration rather than citizen spaceflight sponsorship.
• Teachers in Space: Nonprofit that gives educators access to space and microgravity flight experiences to inspire STEM teaching. Shares S4H's paradigm of using sponsored flights to amplify downstream educational impact.
• Higher Orbits: Nonprofit that runs experiential space-focused leadership programs for high school students, including experiments flown to the ISS. Mirrors S4H's model of combining space experiences with leadership development, though targeting younger STEM participants.

Others

• Zero-G Corporation: Parabolic flight provider that operates weightlessness experiences in partnership with S4H's Zero-G program. Functions as an enabling infrastructure provider rather than a competitor, supplying the core experience for S4H's expanded program line.

Broad incumbents

• Virgin Galactic: Publicly traded suborbital spaceflight company that is one of S4H's two core launch partners (Galactic 02). While S4H purchases seat allocations from Virgin Galactic, Virgin Galactic serves as the broader incumbent in the suborbital tourism category S4H depends on.
• Blue Origin: Jeff Bezos-founded commercial spaceflight company whose New Shepard vehicle has flown all of S4H's named Citizen Astronauts. Functions as both a partner and the dominant incumbent whose program cadence dictates S4H's near-term flight pipeline.

Emerging players

• Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS): International student-run nonprofit advocating for space exploration and providing pathways for young leaders into the space sector. Adjacent to S4H's mission of cultivating purpose-driven space leaders, with a younger demographic focus.
• Interstellar Lab: Space-focused company building closed-loop habitats and sustainability research stations, co-sponsored S4H's FORTITUDE premiere at the Library of Congress. Operates in the same ecosystem of space cultural/advocacy organizations but with a hardware-and-habitats angle rather than crewed flight sponsorship.
• Astronomers Without Borders: Nonprofit using astronomy and space as a unifying global experience, with programs for underserved communities. Comparable to S4H in leveraging space for global perspective-shifting, but focused on ground-based astronomy rather than flight.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SpaceHumanity
• Instagraminstagram.com/spacehumanity
• Xx.com/SpaceHumanity

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Space for Humanity