KSCIA International Space Academy

What KSCIA International Space Academy does

KSCIA International Space Academy (KSCIA) is a private, for-profit educational organization founded in 2015 by G. Michael Lester, a retired NASA engineer, and led by Carla Michaelis as Chairman, Founder, and CEO. The company designs and delivers immersive STEM and space-education programs for international high school students (primarily ages 14–17), with a flagship offering called the International Journey of Science & Technology (IJST). Students travel to Florida's Space Coast and participate in hands-on activities — robotics, programming, CubeSat assembly, plant biology for space, and guided tours of space facilities — delivered by retired NASA engineers and PhD scientists at the Space Life Sciences Laboratory in Exploration Park and the Center for Space Education within the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

KSCIA's product portfolio spans a one-week immersive program (IJST), a shorter one-day experience, the International Journey Spaceflight Experiments Program (IJSEP) that enables student-designed microgravity experiments reaching the ISS, the KSCIA Certificate (a 42–46 hour credential), educator professional development, and a "KSCIA for Kids" content library. In 2025–2026 the organization extended its scope with KSCIA Spaceflight Operations (SFO), positioning itself as a Commercial Spaceflight Operations provider offering turnkey project management for microgravity research missions. The business is built on a partnership-driven go-to-market — recruiting bilingual high schools globally, with support from U.S. embassies, international chambers of commerce, and an ecosystem of nonprofit and research partners including the Michaelis Foundation, SyNRGE, NCESSE, and the Arthur C. Clarke Institute.

KSCIA is founder-owned with no disclosed external funding, is not affiliated with NASA or the U.S. federal government, and operates with 11–50 employees. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time program fees paid by schools and families, with airfare and accommodations borne by participants. The model relies on partnerships with carefully selected international schools as the primary distribution channel, supplemented by organic social, events (notably Science Days), and content marketing through the kscia.com platform and an active space-news blog.

Name

KSCIA International Space Academy

Legal name

KSCIA International Space Academy

Website

https://kscia.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

KSCIA International Space Academy is a private educational organization that delivers immersive STEM and space-education programs — including the week-long International Journey of Science & Technology and microgravity experiment flights to the ISS — to international high school students and educators, delivered by retired NASA personnel at Florida's Kennedy Space Center.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Space and STEM Education Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Space & Astronomy Programs (EDAMABAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Science Camps & Field Programs (Nature, Space, Marine, Geology) (EDAMABAB)

Keywords

• STEM space education
• Microgravity research programs
• Educational spaceflight missions
• Hands-on STEM training
• Spaceflight operations services

Headquarters

HQ city

Winter Park

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Program Fees: The International Journey Program is a paid initiative where schools or families pay program fees covering educational activities, guided tours, workshops, and logistics. Airfare and accommodations are additional costs borne by families.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

KSCIA sells immersive, multi-day educational programs for international high school students centered on space exploration and STEM at the Florida Space Coast. The core is the International Journey of Science & Technology, an experiential program delivered at the Space Life Sciences Laboratory and Center for Space Education that includes robotics, programming, CubeSat assembly, model rockets, and space biology. It is supported by IJSEP student microgravity experiments for the ISS, educator professional development, kids content, and a newly launched commercial Spaceflight Operations service that does turnkey mission management for outside institutions.

Product overview

KSCIA International Space Academy operates as a platform of interconnected educational products and services focused on STEAM and space education. The core offering is the International Journey of Science & Technology, a proprietary immersive program for international high school students. This core program is supported by several complementary modules: KSCIA for Educators (professional development), KSCIA for Kids (younger learner resources), the Space Life Sciences Laboratory (facility-based programs), Spaceflight Operations (SFO - commercial mission support), the International Journey Spaceflight Experiments Program (IJSEP - microgravity research), and the KSCIA Certificate program. The portfolio ranges from short one-day experiences to comprehensive multi-week programs, all centered on STEM education with a space exploration focus.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• International Journey of Science & Technology (IJST) Proprietary immersive and experiential learning educational program for international high school students (ages 14-17), focused on space exploration and STEM skills. Delivered in person at the Florida Space Coast with activities in robotics, programming, CubeSat assembly, model rockets, and space biology, plus exclusive technical tours.
• International Journey Spaceflight Experiments Program (IJSEP) Educational initiative in which students worldwide design and conduct authentic microgravity experiments, with support from experienced scientists who guide teams from concept to spaceflight aboard the International Space Station through the SSEP pipeline.
• KSCIA for Educators Professional development program for educators offering hands-on knowledge, real-world insights, interactive workshops, and behind-the-scenes facility access to bring space education back into the classroom.
• KSCIA for Kids Space education content and resources for younger learners, including free educational materials, worksheets, coloring sheets, collector cards, and bookmarks featuring NASA content.
• Space Life Sciences Laboratory (SLSL) - KSCIA HQ Space Lab A 104,000 square foot facility housing 30 fully-equipped scientific research labs and 11 hardware labs, supporting biomolecular and microbial ecology, flight experiment development, plant growth and physiology, and astrobiology research programs.
• KSCIA Spaceflight Operations (SFO) Commercial Spaceflight Operations offering turnkey project management and mission execution support for space-based microgravity research, aimed at outside institutions launching their first space research initiative.
• KSCIA Certificate Program A 42-46 hour hands-on space education program certificate recognizing student participation in the International Journey of Science and Technology, covering space exploration, engineering, and STEM disciplines.
• One-Day Immersive Experience Exclusive one-day immersive experience at KSCIA International Space Academy on Florida's Space Coast, delivered through a Science Days collaboration with special tuition and an official certificate of participation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 42-46 hour certificate program recognized in academic and professional settings
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Michaelis Foundation for Global EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 October 2025A nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to science, technology, and cultural exchange programs that inspire the next generation of innovators and global citizens. Jefferson Michaelis serves as Chairman. The foundation collaborates with KSCIA on global youth STEM programs and space education initiatives.
• SyNRGE LLCcoreTechnology or Integration · 29 October 2025A space-agriculture research and consulting organization focused on developing sustainable life-support systems and STEM education initiatives. Founded by Dr. Gary Stutte, who has led multiple plant-growth experiments aboard the ISS. Supports the IJSEP program with expertise in space agriculture.
• Old Hollis School Research & Education Center (OHSREC)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 October 2025A nonprofit initiative based in North Carolina dedicated to advancing agricultural innovation, environmental education, and community engagement through hands-on learning experiences. Draws upon OHSREC's commitment to hands-on STEAM education.
• Science DayscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 July 2025Collaborates with KSCIA on special programs including one-day immersive experiences and flagship events like Space Day. Science Days helps facilitate student participation through partnership arrangements.
• R-Crio Stem CellscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024A pioneering Brazilian laboratory specializing in stem cell processing and cryopreservation, regenerative medicine, and tissue bioengineering. Collaborates on the International Journey ISS Expedition program, providing regenerative medicine expertise and research guidance to student teams.
• National Center for Earth and Space Science Education (NCESSE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024Coordinates the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP). The NCESSE Review Board in the U.S. selects winning experiments for the International Journey ISS Expedition missions.
• Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Space EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024Educational initiative under the SSEP, providing international coordination for student space experiments. Co-sponsors the International Journey ISS Expedition in Brazil and Portugal.
• ANADEMminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA society fostering discussions about issues related to the professional practice of medicine and dentistry. Co-sponsor of the International Journey ISS Expedition program, supporting global educational experiences.
• Space FloridacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState of Florida entity that partnered with NASA to create the Space Life Sciences Laboratory. KSCIA operates from this facility as a tenant partner in Exploration Park.
• i3S Institute (Portugal)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPortuguese research institute that provided guidance to student researchers on regenerative medicine concepts for their ISS experiment on osteogenesis.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Space Center Houston: Official visitor center of NASA Johnson Space Center, operating Space Center University and overnight STEM experiences for student groups. Directly comparable to KSCIA's Kennedy Space Center-based educational programming in mission, customer, and delivery model.
• Sally Ride Science: STEM education organization focused on K-12 students with an emphasis on space science and inspiring underrepresented groups into STEM careers. Comparable customer base and educational mission to KSCIA's flagship program.
• U.S. Space & Rocket Center (Space Camp): Operator of Space Camp and aviation/space education programs in Huntsville, Alabama. Most directly comparable to KSCIA: immersive, week-long, residential space-themed STEM experiences for school-age students delivered at a heritage NASA-site location.
• Challenger Center: Nonprofit network of 40+ Challenger Learning Centers delivering simulated space-mission STEM experiences to K-12 students globally. Comparable to KSCIA as a space-themed experiential STEM education provider for school groups.

Emerging players

• Zero Robotics (MIT / NASA): Student programming competition where teams write code that runs on the International Space Station. Comparable niche overlap with KSCIA's robotics/programming/CubeSat programming within IJSEP, serving high school students globally.

Broad incumbents

• ISS National Laboratory Education Programs: Manages educational use of the International Space Station, including student experiment opportunities analogous to KSCIA's IJSEP. Overlaps directly with KSCIA's microgravity-experiment program but at much larger institutional scale.
• European Space Education Resource Office (ESERO): ESA-led network of national offices across Europe delivering space-themed STEM resources and teacher training to schools. Broader scope and public funding, but serves the same international-school space-education market as KSCIA in overlapping geographies.
• Blue Origin Club for the Future: Blue Origin's philanthropic space-education nonprofit focused on inspiring students to pursue STEM careers and live Club for Future missions. Overlaps with KSCIA's mission of inspiring youth into STEAM/space careers and post-graduate STEM pathways.

Others

• AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics): Professional society running K-12 STEM outreach, student branches, and educator programs in aerospace. Provides adjacent institutional credibility and channel for space-focused high-school STEM education comparable to KSCIA's educator programming.
• NCESSE / Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP): National Center for Earth and Space Science Education, which operates the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program. Already a core partner of KSCIA's IJSEP, but functionally comparable as a microgravity student experiment program competing for the same school and grant budgets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/321KSCIA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kscia
• Instagraminstagram.com/kscia_space

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 KSCIA International Space Academy