Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory
Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory is a University of Hawai'i at Mānoa research lab that designs, builds, and operates CubeSats and small satellites for NASA, DoD, and academic partners, including hyperspectral imaging and neutron detection missions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersHonolulu, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory does
Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory (HSFL) is a university research laboratory embedded within the School of Ocean Earth Science and Technology (SOEST) at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa in Honolulu. HSFL specializes in the design, development, integration, testing, and operations of small satellites and CubeSats, with active programs including the HyTI hyperspectral thermal imaging 6U CubeSat (launched March 2024, deorbited December 2024), the Neutron-1 3U CubeSat (deorbited July 2022), and the in-development Neutron-2 mission under the University Nanosatellite Program. Its core technical capabilities span CubeSat platform development (3U and 6U buses), a state-of-the-art Attitude Determination and Control System test bed, hyperspectral imaging technology based on a Fabry-Perot Interferometer (TRL 5), high-performance onboard computing (Unibap e2160), and the COSMOS open-source mission-operations software platform.
HSFL also operates end-to-end spaceflight infrastructure including clean rooms, thermal vacuum chambers, vibration/shock tables, ground stations integrated with SatNOGS, and a mission operations center, and it offers educational products such as the Artemis CubeSat Kit and the RoSE Lab for planetary surface robots. Notable strategic partners include NASA Ames Research Center (under a Space Act Agreement since 2010), NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (HyTI focal plane array), Arizona State University (neutron detector payloads), the University Nanosatellite Program, ISISpace, and SaraniaSat.
HSFL is not a commercial entity. It is grant-funded, with revenue derived from NASA programs (EPSCoR, CSLI/ELaNa, ESTO InVEST) and Department of Defense programs (DURIP), supported operationally by the Hawai'i Space Grant Consortium and the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii. Documented grants include $765,000 from FY2012 DURIP and $8,000,000 from NASA ESTO InVEST in 2023. The lab serves NASA and federal agencies as a primary customer segment, collaborating universities as a secondary segment, and the amateur radio community for educational engagement.
Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory
- Legal name
- Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory
- Website
- http://www.hsfl.hawaii.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory is a University of Hawai'i at Mānoa research lab that designs, builds, and operates CubeSats and small satellites for NASA, DoD, and academic partners, including hyperspectral imaging and neutron detection missions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Aerospace Research Services
- NAICS
- Testing Laboratories and Services (541380), Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Avionics Test, Simulation & Calibration Equipment (IMABAFAN)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Military Aerospace Ground Support Equipment (GSE) & Test Systems (IMABAMAL)
Keywords
Where Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Honolulu
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory product offering
Product offeringCore offering
HSFL is a university research laboratory that designs, develops, integrates, tests, and operates small satellite and CubeSat missions for scientific research and technology demonstration. It provides end-to-end spacecraft engineering services including avionics design, clean room integration, ADCS testing, thermal vacuum and vibration qualification, ground station operations, and launch support. The lab also develops and distributes the open-source COSMOS mission operations software platform and offers the Artemis CubeSat Kit for STEM education.
Product overview
The Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory (HSFL) is a research center at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa that operates as both a space mission provider and a service organization. HSFL offers a portfolio of CubeSat and microsatellite missions (HyTI, Neutron-1, Neutron-2, HiakaSat-1, LEONIDAS, Project Imua, C3M) alongside an open-source software platform (COSMOS) for satellite operations. The laboratory provides comprehensive testing and integration services including ADCS testing, thermal vacuum chambers, vibration testing, clean rooms, and ground station operations. HSFL also develops educational products like the Artemis CubeSat Kit and operates the RoSE Lab for planetary surface robot research. The organization supports NASA's CubeSat Launch Initiative and collaborates with institutions including JPL, Arizona State University, and ISISpace.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- HyTI (Hyperspectral Thermal Imager) A 6U CubeSat technology demonstration mission designed to demonstrate high spatial resolution (60m), high spectral resolution (25 bands), and long-wave infrared imaging for monitoring water resources and mapping cropland from space. Developed for NASA In-Space Validation of Earth Science Technologies Program in collaboration with JPL and SaraniaSat Inc.
- Neutron-1 Mission A 3U CubeSat mission that measures low energy neutron flux in low Earth orbit, contributing to understanding the relationship between Earth and Sun through neutron abundance mapping, with an amateur radio VHF/UHF FM Voice Repeater component. Neutron detector payloads developed by Arizona State University.
- Neutron-2 Mission A mission in development to measure neutrons in Low Earth Orbit using CubeSat(s) in polar orbit, featuring next-generation neutron detectors from Arizona State University and leveraging lessons learned from Neutron-1. Developed in collaboration with the University Nanosatellite Program (UNP).
- COSMOS (Comprehensive Open-architecture Solution for Mission Operations Systems) An open-source integrated operations solution including flight software, ground station operations, and mission operations center for Small Satellite missions. Enables small satellite operations at universities with limited budgets and short schedules.
- HiakaSat-1 Mission Microsatellite developed as part of the HawaiiSat-1 and ORS-4 Mission for launch from the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai. Part of HSFL's early small satellite development portfolio.
- LEONIDAS Mission Mission listed under HSFL's active and past missions portfolio.
- CubeSats for Climate Change Monitoring (C3M) CubeSat mission initiative for climate change monitoring from space.
- Artemis CubeSat Kit Educational CubeSat kit for student learning and hands-on satellite development experience, part of the 101 CubeSats initiative.
- Satellite Platforms Services CubeSat and microsatellite platform development and customization services, including 3U and 6U platform design.
- Integration and Testing Services Satellite integration and testing services for CubeSat and small satellite platforms.
- Avionics / Space Hardware Design Services Design and development services for space avionics and hardware systems.
- Instrumentation Services Instrumentation design and development services for space missions and research applications.
Quantifiable outcome
- More than 100 students involved in Neutron-1 mission
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
Feature5 records
Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- NASA Ames Research CentercoreNASA partnered with Hawai'i on space exploration and science through a three-year non-reimbursable Space Act Agreement for small satellite development, advanced aviation, space exploration, education, and science. First annex provides for small satellite development with HSFL.
- University Nanosatellite Program (UNP)coreUNP established in 1999 as the first federally funded program dedicated exclusively to university participation in spacecraft development. HSFL is working with UNP to accomplish Neutron-2 mission goals.
- Arizona State University (ASU)coreASU developed the neutron detector payloads for Neutron-1 and Neutron-2 missions, as well as the LunaH-Map mission. Collaboration leverages ASU's detector expertise with HSFL's spacecraft bus capabilities.
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)coreJPL collaborated on HyTI mission, providing the BIRD (Barrier Infrared Detector) focal plane array technology. JPL's Microdevices Laboratory designed and developed the 2D FPA for the hyperspectral thermal imager.
- Hawaii Space Grant ConsortiumcoreOngoing support and continuous funding from NASA Hawai'i EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Development Program. Consortium provides educational outreach and student involvement opportunities.
- Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology (HIGP)coreHSFL operates within UH system alongside HIGP. HIGP provides hyperspectral imaging expertise and jointly developed the HyTI imaging interferometer.
- University of Hawai'i Institute for AstronomyminorCollaboration on 2024 Total Solar Eclipse research supporting Dr. Shadia Habbal's solar corona observations using NASA's WB-57 aircraft.
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- University of Toronto Space Flight Laboratory: University of Toronto's Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) designs, builds, and operates small spacecraft including CubeSats and nanosatellites — closely matching HSFL's university-led model. Both labs develop complete satellite missions, perform integration and testing, and collaborate with government agencies.
- Cal Poly PolySat: Cal Poly's PolySat is a student-driven CubeSat program that designs and builds small satellites for academic and research purposes. It mirrors HSFL's focus on student workforce development and CubeSat engineering education within NASA's university smallsat ecosystem.
- ISISpace: ISISpace is a Dutch CubeSat platform provider that delivered the 6U bus for HSFL's HyTI mission. They overlap directly with HSFL's smallsat platform capabilities and serve similar academic, research, and commercial smallsat customers.
- Morehead State University Space Science Center: Morehead State's Space Science Center operates a university small satellite program with ground station and CubeSat operations. It parallels HSFL's university-led smallsat development model, including ground station and tracking capabilities used by amateur and academic operators.
- Surrey Space Centre: Surrey Space Centre pioneered small satellite research and currently designs, builds, and operates small spacecraft. Like HSFL, they combine academic research with practical spaceflight missions and have produced multiple commercial spin-outs (e.g., Surrey Satellite Technology).
Broad incumbents
- GomSpace: GomSpace is a leading commercial CubeSat manufacturer providing satellite platforms, subsystems, and mission services globally. They operate as a commercial-scale analog to HSFL's smallsat platform and mission operations capabilities.
- AAC Clyde Space: AAC Clyde Space produces CubeSat platforms, payloads, and mission services for commercial and government customers. They compete with HSFL in the smallsat platform and components space, especially across ESA and academic customers.
- Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems: Tyvak produces commercial CubeSat buses and smallsat solutions for government and commercial customers. They are a broader market player in the same smallsat platform space as HSFL, with significantly more commercial scale.
- Blue Canyon Technologies: Blue Canyon Technologies builds commercial smallsat buses, attitude control systems, and space components. Their offerings directly overlap with HSFL's avionics design and spacecraft bus capabilities, particularly for government and defense customers.
- York Space Systems: York Space Systems produces full smallsat buses and mission solutions primarily for defense and government customers. They overlap with HSFL's smallsat platform and mission integration services, particularly for SDA and DoD customers.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory social profiles
Digital presenceHawaii Space Flight Laboratory financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory
What does Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory do?
HSFL is a university research laboratory that designs, develops, integrates, tests, and operates small satellite and CubeSat missions for scientific research and technology demonstration. It provides end-to-end spacecraft engineering services including avionics design, clean room integration, ADCS testing, thermal vacuum and vibration qualification, ground station operations, and launch support. The lab also develops and distributes the open-source COSMOS mission operations software platform and offers the Artemis CubeSat Kit for STEM education.
Is Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory a public or private company?
Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory founded?
Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory was founded in 2007. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory based?
Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory is headquartered in Honolulu, United States, in the North America region.
Who are Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are University of Toronto Space Flight Laboratory, Cal Poly PolySat, ISISpace, Morehead State University Space Science Center and Surrey Space Centre. Broad incumbents are GomSpace, AAC Clyde Space, Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems, Blue Canyon Technologies and York Space Systems.
Does Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory.
What industry is Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory in?
Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory's product category is Aerospace Research Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAFAN, Avionics Test, Simulation & Calibration Equipment, with a secondary code of IMABAMAL, Military Aerospace Ground Support Equipment (GSE) & Test Systems. Its NAICS code is 541380 and its SIC code is 3812.