The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation

What The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation does

The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT) is a private, 501(c)-style nonprofit educational organization incorporated in the District of Columbia in 1969, continuing work begun by Project OSCAR in 1961. It designs, builds, launches and operates amateur radio satellites — including the current Fox/FoxPlus CubeSat series, the next-generation GOLF (Greater Orbit, Larger Footprint) program and its GOLF-TEE 3U technology demonstrator targeting completion by end of 2026 — and administers the global OSCAR (Orbiting Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio) satellite-designation system in coordination with the IARU. Its technical stack spans radiation-tolerant avionics, software-defined radio (SDR) transponders, linear transponder modules, and modern GP/OMM orbital data formats, alongside an ecosystem of free, open-source ground tools (FoxTelem telemetry decoder, OscarWatch Tracker, CardSat on M5Stack Cardputer, OrbitDeck in Python, PaperSat on M5Paper e-ink, HamSat on iOS) and educational products such as the CubeSat Simulator.

AMSAT is governed as a membership corporation elected by amateur radio operators worldwide and run largely by volunteer engineers; the organization reports only 1-10 employees on staff and explicitly characterizes itself as accomplishing significant space science with donated resources. Revenue is generated through annual and lifetime memberships (free for students up to age 25), the President's Club sustaining-donor tier starting at $120/year, tax-deductible donations and grants earmarked for the General Fund, GOLF, or ARISS, online merchandise sales (including M2 LEO-Pack antennas and the 'Getting Started with Amateur Satellites' book), and in-kind satellite partnership contributions from universities (Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech, Institute of Science Tokyo) and launch providers (NASA via CSLI/ELaNa, SpaceX, Rocket Lab). Distribution is dominated by the AMSAT online membership portal (launch.amsat.org), the AMSAT online store, the Zazzle storefront, third-party retailers (DX Engineering, Ham Radio Outlet), and an Ambassador Program that drives in-person acquisition at Dayton Hamvention, the annual AMSAT Space Symposium, regional hamfests and ARISS ISS school contacts.

The customer base spans licensed amateur radio operators globally (estimated at 750,000+ in the US and present in ~160 countries), educational institutions and university CubeSat teams, youth reached through the BuzzSat initiative, and international affiliate organizations (AMSAT-DL, AMSAT-UK, AMSAT-EA, JAMSAT). The organization is endorsed externally by NASA (Certificate of Recognition for AMSAT-DL's Artemis II Orion tracking contribution) and was most recently led through a leadership transition in 2026 with the election of Clayton Coleman (W5PFG) as President via special board meeting.

Name

The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation

Legal name

The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation

Website

https://amsat.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

AMSAT (The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation) is a 501(c)-style nonprofit founded in 1969 that designs, builds, launches and operates amateur radio satellites for licensed amateur operators, university partners, and educational outreach worldwide, funded primarily by membership dues, donations and merchandise.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Amateur Radio Satellite Services

NAICS

Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611), Satellite Telecommunications (5174), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)

akta.pro primary industry

Satellite Radio Broadcasting (MPAIAEAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Satellite Network Operations & Capacity Services (NOC, Capacity Leasing, Managed Payload Services) (HDAIAJAI), Satellite Broadband Terminals & Gateways (VSAT/LEO CPE) (HDAFAIAM), International Radio Broadcasters (Shortwave/Satellite/Digital) (MPABAEAI)

Keywords

• Amateur radio satellites
• CubeSat development
• Satellite tracking software
• Amateur satellite operations
• STEM space education

Headquarters

HQ city

Kensington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: AMSAT generates revenue through annual and lifetime memberships. Regular membership fees provide access to The AMSAT Journal, membership portal, and other member services. Students are eligible for free membership up to age 25.
2. President's Club Sustaining Donations: Sustaining donor program with annual memberships starting at $120. Members receive additional benefits and contribute to project funds like GOLF and FoxPlus satellite development.
3. Merchandise Sales: AMSAT operates an online store selling merchandise including shirts, caps, car flags, Remove Before Flight key tags ($20 donation), frequency charts, antennas (M2 LEO-Packs), and the book 'Getting Started with Amateur Satellites' ($29.95-$30 from retailers, free with membership promotion). Also available via Zazzle storefront (amsat_gear) with 25% of purchase price going to AMSAT.
4. The AMSAT Journal: Bi-monthly digital magazine published for members. Members receive immediate access to the latest issue and archived editions. Available through the membership portal at launch.amsat.org.
5. Donations and Grants: AMSAT accepts tax-deductible donations to the AMSAT General Fund, GOLF Program, or ARISS. The organization maintains a sustainable funding model combining membership support, targeted donations, and grants.
6. Satellite Mission Partnerships: AMSAT partners with government (NASA CSLI/ELaNa), educational institutions, and other AMSAT organizations worldwide to develop and launch satellites. Universities provide payloads and funding in exchange for future amateur radio access.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

AMSAT designs, builds, launches, and operates amateur radio satellites, providing licensed amateur radio operators worldwide with access to satellite communication, satellite tracking tools, and educational programs. It offers paid memberships (regular, lifetime, student, and organization), sustains projects through donations and its President's Club donor program ($120+/year), and distributes merchandise, publications, telemetry/tracking software (FoxTelem, OscarWatch Tracker, CardSat, OrbitDeck, PaperSat), TLE/Keplerian elements data, the CubeSat Simulator for STEM education, and ARISS school-contact support.

Product overview

AMSAT (The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation) is a volunteer-driven educational organization that designs, builds, launches, and operates amateur radio satellites. The organization offers a portfolio of products and services including satellite programs (GOLF with GOLF-TEE, FoxPlus series), educational tools (CubeSat Simulator, BuzzSat youth initiative), satellite tracking software (FoxTelem, OscarWatch Tracker, CardSat, OrbitDeck, PaperSat), publications (The AMSAT Journal, Getting Started with Amateur Satellites guide), and data services (TLE/Keplerian Elements distribution, AMSAT News Service). AMSAT supports ARISS school contacts and offers membership programs including the President's Club sustainer tier. The organization's work is largely powered by volunteer effort and donated resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• GOLF / GOLF-TEE Program AMSAT's next-generation amateur radio satellite program designed for progressively higher orbits from LEO through MEO to HEO, featuring radiation-tolerant electronics, advanced Software-Defined Radio (SDR) transponders, three-axis attitude determination and control, and deployable/steerable solar arrays. GOLF-TEE is a 3U CubeSat technology demonstrator currently under construction with completion targeted by end of 2026.
• Fox / FoxPlus Satellite Series AMSAT's CubeSat satellite series (Fox-1A, Fox-1D, Fox-1Cliff, Fox-1E, FoxPlus) built via NASA CSLI/ELaNa program, featuring crossband repeaters, linear transponders, and scientific payloads from university collaborations (e.g., Vanderbilt University radiation experiments and Virginia Tech imaging payloads).
• CubeSat Simulator (CubeSatSim) A low-cost educational satellite emulator designed for STEM instruction and amateur radio training; transmits actual telemetry and emulates several on-orbit satellites without requiring Doppler shift or satellite tracking. Available as complete systems, classroom loaner kits, and a simplified CubeSatSim Lite version.
• The AMSAT Journal Bi-monthly digital magazine for amateur radio in space enthusiasts, published by AMSAT. Each issue covers hardware and software projects, technical tips, STEM initiatives, operational activities, and news from around the world. Available to members via the membership portal with archived editions from 2014 onwards.
• Getting Started with Amateur Satellites (Book) AMSAT's introductory guide for amateur satellite operations, including how to work the FM and linear satellites, station setup, tracking, and operating tips. Available as a free digital copy with new/renewing membership or for purchase ($29.95-$30) from DX Engineering and Ham Radio Outlet.
• FoxTelem Telemetry Software AMSAT's open-source telemetry-decoding software for Windows, Mac, and Linux, used to decode telemetry from Fox series satellites and other amateur satellites.
• OscarWatch Tracker Multi-platform desktop satellite tracking application for amateur radio operators featuring visual tracking on world map, pass predictions with TCA, built-in transponder database with Doppler-corrected frequencies, hardware integration for Icom/Yaesu/Kenwood radios and rotators, and optional Cloudlog integration.
• CardSat Ground Station Controller Free, open-source amateur satellite ground station controller running on M5Stack Cardputer ADV. Downloads GP orbital and transponder data over WiFi, predicts passes locally with SGP4, drives radios over CAT with real-time Doppler correction, with optional rotator control and QSO logging.
• OrbitDeck OSCARLOCATOR Application Open-source desktop application (Python, MIT-licensed) for Windows, macOS, and Linux that recreates the classic OSCARLOCATOR paper tracking aid with an interactive on-screen polar map and built-in orbital-mechanics lessons. Reads modern GP/OMM data and ships its own SGP4 propagator.
• PaperSat / PaperSatColor Tracking Apps Satellite tracking software for the M5Stack M5Paper S3 (ESP32-based e-ink device); downloads and caches the AMSAT nasabare.txt TLE collection, parses it locally, and provides offline pass predictions and Az/El polar plots. PaperSatColor extends this to an eight-satellite next-pass dashboard on M5Paper Color.
• TLE / Keplerian Elements Distribution Service AMSAT-distributed Two Line Elements (TLE) and Keplerian elements for amateur satellites, updated daily via weekly bulletin files. Also publishing modern General Perturbations data formats (JSON, XML, KVN) for satellites launched after July 2026 that require longer object numbers.
• Linear Transponder Module (LTM) AMSAT's communications hardware module developed in partnership with universities, providing amateur radio access after mission completion as part of the cooperative CubeSat science-payload program.
• SDR Gen 2 Transponder Project AMSAT's next-generation Software-Defined Radio transponder development project; expands microwave capabilities and supports multiple modes while preparing operators for future high-bandwidth satellite communications.
• AMSAT News Service (ANS) Free, weekly news and information service publishing news related to Amateur Radio in Space, including reports on satellite activities, upcoming events, and organizational updates. Available via email subscription through mailman.amsat.org.
• BuzzSat Youth Initiative AMSAT's community-based youth initiative introducing younger audiences to satellites and space technology through accessible educational materials, including a downloadable coloring book and interactive online courses that engage students with weather satellites, agriculture, climate monitoring, and space exploration before introducing amateur radio concepts.
• Online Pass Predictions Tool AMSAT's web-based satellite pass prediction tool available at https://www.amsat.org/track/index.php for amateur radio operators to plan satellite contacts.
• ARISS Support Service AMSAT supports the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program, facilitating contacts between schools and astronauts aboard the ISS on 145.800 MHz downlink and providing space-education opportunities for students worldwide.
• AMSAT Standard Annual Membership Annual AMSAT membership providing access to The AMSAT Journal, the membership portal, and other member services; the core subscription product of the organization.
• President's Club Sustaining Donor Program Sustaining donor program with annual memberships starting at $120 that supports GOLF and FoxPlus satellite projects; members receive the annual President's Club coin and additional benefits.
• Student Membership Free annual membership for students enrolled at least half-time, up to age 25. Post-secondary students eligible for student rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years.
• Lifetime Membership Lifetime AMSAT membership terms available (multi-year/perpetual), contact AMSAT office for details.
• Society/Organization Membership Annual membership tier available for recognized groups, clubs, or organizations.
• AMSAT Online Store (Merchandise) E-commerce store at amsat.org/shop selling AMSAT merchandise including shirts, caps, car flags, Remove Before Flight key tags ($20 donation), frequency charts, M2 LEO-Pack antennas, CubeSatSim units, and 'Getting Started with Amateur Satellites' books.
• Zazzle Storefront (amsat_gear) Zazzle storefront at zazzle.com/store/amsat_gear selling AMSAT-branded merchandise (apparel, accessories) with 25% of each purchase price donated to AMSAT's "Keeping Amateur Radio in Space" initiative.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 50 years of continuous operation advancing amateur radio in space
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration12 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NASAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAMSAT partners with NASA through the CubeSat Launch Initiative (CSLI) and Educational Launch of Nanosatellites (ELaNa) program to launch CubeSats as secondary payloads. AMSAT also submitted Letter of Intent for NASA SLS CubeSat opportunities on Artemis III, IV, and V missions. NASA provides launch opportunities in exchange for amateur radio access to developed satellites.
• JARL (Japan Amateur Radio League)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJARL controls Fuji-OSCAR 29 (FO-29/JAS-2), the long-lived Japanese amateur radio satellite launched in 1996. JARL's control team manages scheduled transponder activations and coordinates with AMSAT for satellite status information.
• AMSAT-DL (Germany)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman AMSAT organization that tracked the Orion spacecraft during Artemis II, receiving NASA recognition. Active in QO-100 geostationary satellite operations, FutureGEO planning, and the RADIANT DTN project. Partners with Goonhilly Earth Station on advanced networking experiments.
• AMSAT-EA (Spain)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpanish AMSAT organization that developed HADES-SA/SpinnyOne satellite, designated Spain-OSCAR 127 (SO-127). Launched March 30, 2026 on Falcon 9 from Vandenberg. Satellite carries SSDV and CODEC2 payload for reception by amateur radio enthusiasts worldwide.
• AMSAT-UKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK AMSAT organization supporting the RADIANT (Radio Amateur Delay-tolerant Interplanetary Networking Testbed) project along with AMSAT-DL and Goonhilly Earth Station. Project brings NASA-inspired Delay-Tolerant Networking concepts to amateur radio.
• JAMSAT (Japan)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJapanese AMSAT organization that coordinated OrigamiSat-2 (Fuji-OSCAR 126) designation request through the Japan Amateur Satellite Association. Partner in international amateur satellite community.
• Goonhilly Earth StationcoreTechnology or IntegrationUK-based Earth station partnering with AMSAT-UK and AMSAT-DL on the RADIANT DTN project. Contributes to testing Delay-Tolerant Networking concepts for amateur radio, including demonstrations through the QO-100 geostationary satellite.
• Institute of Science TokyocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloped OrigamiSat-2, a 3U CubeSat demonstrating lightweight deployable membrane antenna technology and 5.8 GHz downlink transmitter. Satellite received Fuji-OSCAR 126 designation from AMSAT and expands amateur radio experimentation beyond traditional VHF/UHF operations.
• ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide amateur radio communication capabilities aboard the ISS. Enables students worldwide to speak with astronauts through scheduled school contacts. AMSAT supports ARISS operations and equipment aboard the station.
• Vanderbilt UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided radiation experiment payload on AMSAT Fox satellites as part of university partnership programs. Students gain hands-on experience while contributing to satellite missions.
• Virginia TechminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided imaging payloads on Fox satellites as part of AMSAT's educational and university partnership programs. University teams work with AMSAT engineers on satellite development.
• IARU (International Amateur Radio Union)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAMSAT works with IARU for international frequency coordination for amateur satellites. IARU coordinates amateur frequency allocations globally and works with national administrations on satellite frequency matters.
• Rocket LabminorOthersLaunch provider for multiple amateur satellites including OrigamiSat-2 and ARICA-2 launched April 23, 2026 on Electron vehicle from New Zealand. AMSAT satellites are delivered as secondary payloads.
• SpaceXminorOthersLaunch provider for multiple amateur satellites including HADES-SA/SpinnyOne (SO-127) launched March 30, 2026 on Falcon 9 from Vandenberg. AMSAT satellites are delivered as secondary payloads.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• IARU (International Amateur Radio Union): Global federation of national amateur radio societies that coordinates frequency allocations and spectrum defense for amateur satellite operators. AMSAT partners with IARU for amateur satellite coordination; IARU's regulatory work directly underpins AMSAT's spectrum access.
• NASA CubeSat Launch Initiative (CSLI): NASA program providing launch opportunities for educational CubeSat missions. AMSAT has launched the Fox series via CSLI/ELaNa and submitted Letters of Intent for SLS Artemis missions. The program is a key enabling channel rather than a competitor.

Regional players

• AMSAT-UK: Independent UK counterpart to AMSAT focused on amateur satellite communications. Partners with AMSAT-DL and Goonhilly Earth Station on the RADIANT Delay-Tolerant Networking testbed, reflecting direct technical overlap in amateur satellite research and operations.
• JAMSAT (Japan): Japanese amateur satellite organization coordinating international OSCAR designations (e.g., OrigamiSat-2/Fuji-OSCAR 126) with AMSAT. Operates the same amateur satellite mission model, regionally focused with a similar volunteer + university partnership approach.
• AMSAT-EA (Spain): Spanish amateur satellite organization and AMSAT counterpart. Developed the HADES-SA/SpinnyOne satellite (designated Spain-OSCAR 127), launched March 30, 2026 on Falcon 9 — operating with the same design-build-launch-fly charter as AMSAT.
• AMSAT-DL (Germany): Independent German sister organization to AMSAT, pursuing the same amateur satellite mission. Recently received NASA recognition for tracking the Orion spacecraft during Artemis II and actively operates QO-100 geostationary satellite operations alongside AMSAT-style satellite projects.

Emerging players

• ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station): Partner organization that operates amateur radio on the ISS, with AMSAT as a key supporting partner. Shares the educational and amateur radio in space mission, focused on school contacts with astronauts, and provides a directly comparable K-12 STEM outreach model.
• Libre Space Foundation: Nonprofit supporting open-source space projects including SatNOGS (a global ground station network and dashboard integrated with AMSAT's telemetry feeds). Shares AMSAT's community/open-source ethos for satellite operations and citizen-science data access.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AMSAT
• Facebookfacebook.com/328833500472670

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation