AstroAccess
AstroAccess is a nonprofit initiative that flies disabled individuals on parabolic and suborbital research missions to test and demonstrate accessibility solutions for space exploration, generating empirical data to inform inclusive spacecraft design.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersSacramento, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What AstroAccess does
AstroAccess is a nonprofit initiative dedicated to advancing disability inclusion in space exploration, operating under the 501(c)(3) parent organization SciAccess Inc. Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Sacramento, California, the organization recruits disabled individuals worldwide to serve as research ambassadors on parabolic and suborbital flights, where they test and demonstrate accessibility solutions for space environments. The program has scaled from a single inaugural flight with 12 ambassadors in October 2021 (Long Beach, CA) to international missions with 14 disabled crew from 5 countries (AA2, December 2022, Houston), and a December 2025 Blue Origin New Shepard NS-37 mission in which ambassador Michaela "Michi" Benthaus became the first wheelchair user to cross the Kármán line into space.
AstroAccess's core technical capability lies in human-subjects research methodology for testing accessibility modifications in microgravity and suborbital environments, rather than in commercial hardware or software products. Documented innovations include tactile cabin wall graphics enabling blind crew to orient themselves and locate emergency gear in zero gravity, a color-changing LED signaling system for D/deaf and hard-of-hearing astronauts to perceive gravity-phase transitions, a modular lower-leg prosthetic designed for microgravity use (developed with the Alternative Limb Project), a SonicCloud plus Sony sound personalization system for hearing-impaired users in high-noise environments, ASL intelligibility analysis conducted with Gallaudet University, and demonstration of independent five-point seat harness ingress by disabled crew on suborbital flights. The organization does not license or sell these innovations; instead, it produces empirical demonstration data intended to inform spacecraft design decisions across the commercial space industry.
The organization is funded entirely by charitable donations processed through its parent 501(c)(3) SciAccess Inc., with no fees charged to ambassador participants. Revenue streams include individual donors, foundations (notably the Whitesides Foundation, which has provided ongoing support since inception), corporate sponsors (Sony, Aerospace Corporation, FTI Consulting, Relativity Space), and recognition-based grants such as the 2024 NASA Space Tech Catalyst Prize ($25,000). The go-to-market model is community-led and event-driven: a competitive international ambassador application process feeds into milestone-driven press events that generate earned media coverage (BBC, New York Times, Good Morning America, Scientific American) and downstream donor and partner interest. Mission delivery depends on partnerships with commercial spaceflight operators (Zero-G Corporation, Blue Origin) and university research programs (MIT Space Exploration Initiative, Aurelia Institute, Gallaudet), with operations run by a lean core team supplemented by approximately 100 organizing crew members, ambassadors, and volunteers.
AstroAccess firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AstroAccess
- Legal name
- Mission: AstroAccess
- Website
- https://astroaccess.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- AstroAccess is a nonprofit initiative that flies disabled individuals on parabolic and suborbital research missions to test and demonstrate accessibility solutions for space exploration, generating empirical data to inform inclusive spacecraft design.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AstroAccess industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Space Accessibility Research
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- International Science, Technology & Space Cooperation Organizations (BPADAAAK)
Keywords
Where AstroAccess is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sacramento
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
AstroAccess business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Charitable Donations: AstroAccess is funded entirely by charitable donations. All donations are processed through its 501(c)(3) nonprofit parent organization SciAccess Inc. and are tax-deductible in the United States. Donations cover parabolic flight costs from Zero-G, ambassador travel and lodging, demonstration equipment, and administrative/legal fees. No fee is charged to ambassadors for participation.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | General charitable donation |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
AstroAccess product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AstroAccess conducts zero-gravity parabolic and suborbital research flights with disabled ambassadors to test and demonstrate accessibility solutions for space exploration. The organization researches physical-environment modifications (tactile cabin graphics, LED gravity-phase signaling, sound personalization, microgravity prosthetics) and produces empirical data informing spacecraft design. Activities are funded entirely by charitable donations channeled through its 501(c)(3) parent SciAccess Inc.
Product overview
AstroAccess is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing disability inclusion in space exploration. The organization operates a core parabolic flight research program where disabled ambassadors participate in zero-gravity missions to test and develop accessibility solutions for future space travel. The program has conducted multiple research flights including Flight One (AA1) in October 2021 and Flight Two (AA2) in December 2022, and has expanded to include suborbital space missions through collaboration with Blue Origin. The Ambassador Program recruits disabled scientists, veterans, engineers, and artists to serve as research participants and advocates for inclusive space exploration.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- AstroAccess Parabolic Flight Research Program A nonprofit research program organizing zero-gravity parabolic and suborbital flights to test and demonstrate how space vehicles and environments can be made accessible for people with mobility, vision, hearing, and other disabilities. The program produces empirical data and proof-of-concept demonstrations used to inform spacecraft design and accessibility standards.
- AstroAccess Ambassador Program A recruitment and selection program that brings disabled individuals aboard research flights as ambassadors. Selected ambassadors participate in PR, media events, and social media promotion of the mission; all flight, travel, and lodging costs are covered by charitable donations, and no fee is charged to participants. Applications are open internationally.
Quantifiable outcome
- Michaela 'Michi' Benthaus became the first wheelchair user to travel to space (Blue Origin NS-37, December 20, 2025), crossing the internationally recognized Kármán line boundary of space.
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use AstroAccess
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
AstroAccess technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
AstroAccess partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
38 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- Blue OrigincoreBlue Origin collaborated with AstroAccess to advance accessibility on New Shepard suborbital flights. In July 2025, Blue Origin invited AstroAccess to a two-day workshop at Launch Site One focused on enhancing spaceflight accessibility for D/deaf and hard-of-hearing astronauts. Three DHH AstroAccess ambassadors successfully completed standard New Shepard astronaut training. This culminated in December 2025 when Michi Benthaus became the first wheelchair user to travel to space aboard the NS-37 mission.
- SciAccess, Inc.coreSciAccess, Inc. is AstroAccess's parent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 2018. It is an international nonprofit dedicated to advancing disability inclusion in STEM. SciAccess provides AstroAccess's legal nonprofit status, processes all donations, and oversees the broader portfolio of disability inclusion programs including the annual SciAccess Conference. All AstroAccess activities fall under the SciAccess umbrella.
- Uplift AerospacesupportingUplift Aerospace, a company pioneering systems for a multiplanetary economy, partnered with AstroAccess and selected it as the official philanthropic beneficiary of the Space+5 commercial astronaut program. Uplift facilitated AstroAccess's Biosphere 2 scuba diving accessibility experiment at the University of Arizona.
- Houston Spaceport / Ellington AirportsupportingHouston Spaceport (owned and managed by the Houston Airport System) hosted AstroAccess's AA2 flight at Ellington Airport, adjacent to the NASA Johnson Space Center. Director Arturo Machuca voiced support for AstroAccess's accessibility mission as part of Houston's aerospace innovation cluster.
- SonicCloudsupportingSonicCloud, co-founded by AstroAccess ambassador Larry Guterman, provides innovative sound personalization software that allows users to tailor audio to their specific hearing ability. The technology was demonstrated on the AA2 flight to enable hard-of-hearing individuals to comprehend speech in high-noise zero-gravity environments.
- Spacekind FoundationcoreSpacekind Foundation became AstroAccess's fiscal sponsor following Yuri's Night, providing 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and administrative infrastructure for the organization as it scaled.
- Aurelia InstitutecoreAurelia Institute is a nonprofit space architecture R&D lab and outreach organization dedicated to preparing humanity to become a spacefaring species. AstroAccess partnered with Aurelia for the Horizon 2022 Zero Gravity flight and subsequent missions. The collaboration enables AstroAccess ambassadors to participate in additional parabolic flights beyond their own charter flights, expanding the research portfolio.
- MIT Space Exploration InitiativecoreMIT SEI is a team of 50+ students, staff, and faculty supporting 40+ research projects focused on democratizing access to life in space. AstroAccess has partnered with MIT SEI since its inaugural 2021 flight and continues to collaborate on research flights. MIT SEI facilitated AstroAccess ambassador Kyle Horn's flight as part of its own research program in May 2022 and May 2024.
- Yuri's NightcoreYuri's Night is a nonprofit space advocacy organization that served as AstroAccess's initial fiscal sponsor, providing 501(c)(3) status and administrative infrastructure for the project during its early phases. As a 501(c)(3) incorporated in California, Yuri's Night supports the mission of making space accessible.
- Gallaudet UniversitysupportingGallaudet University, the premier university for Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, collaborated with AstroAccess on ASL intelligibility research in microgravity. Faculty from Gallaudet's linguistics and sign language programs supported ambassador Apurva Varia's ASL comprehension experiments aboard AstroAccess flights.
- Disabled American Veterans (DAV)supportingDAV, a nonprofit organization serving disabled veterans, partnered with AstroAccess to support ambassador Centra 'Ce-Ce' Mazyck's participation. DAV's CEO Marc Burgess voiced support for the mission's goal of integrating disabled veterans into space research.
- Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually ImpairedsupportingThe Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired in San Francisco partnered with AstroAccess as a supporting organization, providing expertise and advocacy for blind and visually impaired participants in space research.
- Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (MABVI)supportingMABVI partnered with AstroAccess to support blind and visually impaired ambassadors' participation in parabolic flights and accessibility research.
- SonysupportingSony partnered with AstroAccess and SonicCloud to demonstrate an improved speech understanding system for hard-of-hearing individuals in zero-gravity environments, using Sony headphones combined with SonicCloud's sound personalization software. Sony's equipment was used in the AA2 flight experiment.
- Relativity SpacesupportingRelativity Space, an aerospace manufacturing company, is listed as a corporate supporter of the AstroAccess mission, contributing to the broad coalition of space industry partners backing the initiative.
- Space Frontier FoundationsupportingSpace Frontier Foundation, a nonprofit space advocacy organization, is listed as a partner supporting the AstroAccess mission's goal of opening space to all people, including those with disabilities.
- Space for HumanitysupportingSpace for Humanity, a nonprofit focused on democratizing access to space, is listed as an organizational supporter of the AstroAccess mission and its accessibility goals.
- Alternative Limb ProjectsupportingThe Alternative Limb Project, which creates custom prosthetic limbs, partnered with AstroAccess to design and field-test a lower leg prosthetic specifically engineered for use in microgravity, worn by ambassador Viktoria Modesta during the May 2022 Horizon flight.
- MIT Media LabsupportingThe MIT Media Lab is listed as an educational partner supporting AstroAccess, contributing research and academic expertise to the mission's accessibility goals.
- California State University Long Beach (CSULB)supportingCSULB is listed as an educational institution partner supporting AstroAccess's mission through academic collaboration and student involvement.
- The Ohio State University Department of AstronomysupportingThe Ohio State University Department of Astronomy is listed as an academic partner supporting AstroAccess's mission.
- AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics)supportingAIAA, the leading professional organization for aerospace engineers and scientists, is listed as a supporting organization for the AstroAccess mission.
- Disabled for Accessibility in Space (DAIS)supportingDAIS is listed as a partner organization supporting AstroAccess's advocacy for accessibility in space exploration.
- Think and ZoomsupportingThink and Zoom, founded by AstroAccess ambassador Zuby Onwuta, is a patented brain-controlled assistive technology for blind individuals that reads and responds to brain waves for hands-free vision augmentation. Listed as a corporate supporter of the mission.
- Royal Academy of Science International Trust (RASIT)supportingRASIT is listed as an international partner organization supporting AstroAccess's mission and accessibility goals in space.
- Arthur C. Clarke Center for Human Imagination (UCSD)supportingThe Arthur C. Clarke Center for Human Imagination at UCSD is listed as an educational partner supporting AstroAccess's mission through interdisciplinary collaboration on imagination and space accessibility.
- Stanford Medicine Alliance for Disability Inclusion and Equity (SMADIE)supportingStanford Medicine's SMADIE organization is listed as a supporting partner, contributing medical and disability expertise to the AstroAccess mission.
- Aerospace CorporationsupportingThe Aerospace Corporation is listed as a corporate supporter of the AstroAccess mission, contributing aerospace industry expertise and advocacy.
- FTI ConsultingsupportingFTI Consulting, a consulting firm, is listed as a corporate supporter of the AstroAccess mission.
- People Love ArtsupportingPeople Love Art is listed as a corporate supporter of the AstroAccess mission.
- SoundbrennersupportingSoundbrenner, a company that makes innovative musical instruments and tools, is listed as a corporate supporter of the AstroAccess mission.
- See3DsupportingSee3D, a 3D printing/accessibility organization, is listed as a corporate supporter of the AstroAccess mission.
- Special Needs GroupsupportingSpecial Needs Group, a provider of services for travelers with disabilities, is listed as a supporting partner of the AstroAccess mission.
- Yuris NightsupportingYuris Night (spelled 'Yuri's Night' in standard usage) is listed as a sponsor on the AstroAccess website. It is a nonprofit space advocacy organization that ran World Space Week and promotes global space events. George Whitesides is also connected to this organization.
- Brooke Owens FellowshipsupportingThe Brooke Owens Fellowship, which awards fellowships to exceptional women and gender-minority students in aerospace, is listed as a partner organization on the AstroAccess June 2022 flight announcement alongside the Matthew Isakowitz Fellowship.
- Matthew Isakowitz Fellowship ProgramsupportingThe Matthew Isakowitz Fellowship Program, an aerospace career fellowship, is listed as a partner organization supporting the AstroAccess mission alongside the Brooke Owens Fellowship.
- NASAsupportingNASA, through its Space Technology Mission Directorate and Early Stage Innovations & Partnerships portfolio, recognized SciAccess/AstroAccess with the Space Tech Catalyst Prize in 2024. Denna Lambert of NASA's ESIP portfolio served as Inclusive Innovation Lead and featured in award ceremony. ESA collaboration noted through Johann Dietrich Worner (former ESA Director General) on AstroAccess Advisory Board.
- Zero Gravity Corporation (Zero-G)coreZero-G Corporation is a privately held space entertainment and tourism company that operates the G-Force One aircraft (a converted Boeing 727-200) used for AstroAccess's parabolic research flights. Zero-G provides the aircraft, pilots, coaches, and operational infrastructure for weightless flights. AstroAccess has conducted multiple charter flights aboard Zero-G aircraft, with Zero-G staff trained to support disabled participants.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
AstroAccess competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Yuri's Night: Nonprofit space advocacy organization that served as AstroAccess's initial fiscal sponsor and remains a listed partner. A peer in the space-advocacy nonprofit ecosystem but with a celebration/events focus rather than research.
- SciAccess, Inc. Parent 501(c)(3) of AstroAccess and the recipient of NASA's Space Tech Catalyst Prize. Runs the annual SciAccess Conference and broader disability-in-STEM programs; structurally an enabler/parent rather than a competitor, but operationally adjacent in mission and leadership.
- Space Frontier Foundation: Nonprofit space advocacy organization listed as an AstroAccess partner with overlapping mission of opening space to all people. Comparable in nonprofit/advocacy model but focuses on policy rather than flight research.
Broad incumbents
- Blue Origin: Established suborbital and orbital spaceflight company that partnered with AstroAccess to fly Michi Benthaus on NS-37 (Dec 2025) and ran a DHH accessibility workshop in July 2025. A far larger aerospace incumbent, but the most direct counterpart for the suborbital leg of AstroAccess's roadmap.
- Virgin Galactic: Suborbital space tourism company whose Space Advisory Board is chaired by AstroAccess Co-Project Lead George Whitesides. Operates SpaceShipTwo flights and is the natural commercial counterpart for future AstroAccess suborbital missions targeting paying/partner accessibility use cases.
- Zero Gravity Corporation (Zero-G): Privately held parabolic flight operator that provides the G-Force One aircraft used for all of AstroAccess's charter flights. While commercial and far larger in revenue scope, Zero-G is the operational backbone of AstroAccess's research missions and its closest commercial analogue.
Emerging players
- The Karman Project: Global nonprofit building a community of space leaders across countries, with similar international-cooperation ethos and a curated cohort model. Comparable in being a small, mission-driven nonprofit working to broaden international participation in space.
Direct peers
- Aurelia Institute: Nonprofit space architecture R&D lab that hosts Horizon zero-gravity flight programs and has flown multiple AstroAccess ambassadors on its parabolic missions. Comparable nonprofit research model focused on preparing humanity for space through inclusive, iterative flight research.
- MIT Space Exploration Initiative: University-based space research nonprofit that organizes zero-gravity research flights with diverse researchers, including disabled AstroAccess ambassadors. Operates a portfolio of 40+ research projects in democratizing access to space, making it the closest operational analogue to AstroAccess's research-flight mission.
- Space for Humanity: Nonprofit dedicated to democratizing access to space by sending diverse citizen astronauts to space. Shares AstroAccess's mission of broadening who can participate in spaceflight and is listed as a partner organization on AstroAccess's mission.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
AstroAccess social profiles
Digital presenceAstroAccess financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AstroAccess leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
AstroAccess funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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AstroAccess M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about AstroAccess
What does AstroAccess do?
AstroAccess conducts zero-gravity parabolic and suborbital research flights with disabled ambassadors to test and demonstrate accessibility solutions for space exploration. The organization researches physical-environment modifications (tactile cabin graphics, LED gravity-phase signaling, sound personalization, microgravity prosthetics) and produces empirical data informing spacecraft design. Activities are funded entirely by charitable donations channeled through its 501(c)(3) parent SciAccess Inc.
Is AstroAccess a public or private company?
AstroAccess is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was AstroAccess founded?
AstroAccess was founded in 2021. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is AstroAccess based?
AstroAccess is headquartered in Sacramento, United States, in the North America region.
How does AstroAccess make money?
One revenue line is on record: charitable Donations.
Who are AstroAccess's main competitors?
Others on record are Yuri's Night, SciAccess, Inc. and Space Frontier Foundation. Broad incumbents are Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic and Zero Gravity Corporation (Zero-G). The Karman Project is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Aurelia Institute, MIT Space Exploration Initiative and Space for Humanity.
Does AstroAccess have an API?
No public API is recorded for AstroAccess.
What industry is AstroAccess in?
AstroAccess's product category is Space Accessibility Research. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADAAAK, International Science, Technology & Space Cooperation Organizations. Its SIC code is 8731.