Project Polar Suborbital Science in the Upper Mesosphere

What Project Polar Suborbital Science in the Upper Mesosphere does

Project Polar Suborbital Science in the Upper Mesosphere (Project PoSSUM) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit aeronomy research and astronautical education organization headquartered in Boulder, Colorado. Operating through its educational arm, the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS), the organization offers the world's first Master's degree in Astronautical Sciences along with professional certificates in Space Environment, Bioastronautics, Space Operations, Flight Test Engineering, and Microgravity Sciences. Coursework is structured around four research centers — Bioastronautics, Space Simulation, Space Medicine, and Flight Research — supported by a curriculum of 17 specialized courses ranging from AST 101 (Fundamentals of Astronautics) through graduate-level offerings such as BIO 601 (Microgravity Research of Human Test Subjects), OPS 601 (Spacecraft Egress & Post-Landing Operations), and EVA 601 (Gravity-Offset EVA Space Suit Evaluation).

The organization's technology stack is operational rather than software-centric, comprising gravity-offset neutral buoyancy laboratories, space flight simulators, and research aircraft based at Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Florida, plus an underwater EVA space suit evaluation laboratory at Survival Systems USA. Research missions are conducted in collaboration with the Canadian Space Agency, the National Research Council of Canada, the FAA Center of Excellence for Commercial Space Transportation, and Virgin Galactic — the latter hosting the Galactic 05/IIAS-01 research mission in 2023 with bioastronautics researcher Kellie Gerardi as a payload specialist. The organization has produced alumni with direct mission participation, including a NASA astronaut candidate (Deniz Burnham) and multiple graduates who have flown on suborbital or orbital space flights.

Revenue is generated primarily through tuition and fees for degree, certificate, and prerequisite courses (AST 101/501), characterized as recurring subscription-style revenue aligned with semester-based offerings. Go-to-market is community-led: the organization recruits a globally distributed student body — drawn from over 60 countries since 2015 — through its website, AIAA cross-branding, industry partnerships, and visibility from research mission participation. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; prospective students must apply through the AST 101/501 prerequisite. The organization's scale sits at 11–50 employees with research and training facilities in Boulder, Colorado and Melbourne, Florida, and an affiliated commercial entity (Integrated Spaceflight Services).

Name

Project Polar Suborbital Science in the Upper Mesosphere

Legal name

International Institute for Astronautical Sciences

Website

https://projectpossum.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Project Polar Suborbital Science in the Upper Mesosphere (Project PoSSUM) is a Boulder-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating IIAS, offering the world's first Master's degree in Astronautical Sciences plus certificates, serving students from 60+ countries via tuition-based educational and research programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Astronautical Sciences Education

NAICS

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Flight Training (611512)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Space & Astronomy Programs (EDAMABAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

International Science, Technology & Space Cooperation Organizations (BPADAAAK), Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD)

Keywords

• Astronautical sciences education
• Bioastronautics research
• Space flight training
• Microgravity research
• Suborbital science

Headquarters

HQ city

Boulder

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Educational Programs: Revenue generated through tuition and fees from degree programs (Master's degree), certificate courses, and prerequisite courses (AST 101/501). Programs include semester-based courses across multiple disciplines including bioastronautics, flight test engineering, and microgravity sciences.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Project PoSSUM operates through IIAS as an educational and research institution offering the world's first Master's degree in Astronautical Sciences, alongside professional certificates and 17 specialized courses in Space Environment, Bioastronautics, Space Operations, Flight Test Engineering, and Microgravity Sciences. The organization conducts hands-on research in space medicine, space suit evaluation, microgravity sciences, and flight test engineering through centers located at Florida Tech and partner facilities. Students gain direct access to suborbital and orbital spaceflight research missions, including Virgin Galactic's Galactic 05/IIAS-01 mission in 2023 and the announced IIAS-02 mission.

Product overview

IIAS (International Institute for Astronautical Sciences) is an educational institution offering the first Master's Degree in Astronautical Sciences in the world, along with professional certificate programs and 17 specialized courses. The educational portfolio includes foundational courses (AST 101, Fundamentals of Astronautics), advanced graduate courses (AST 601, BIO 601, OPS 601, EVA 601), and specialized programs in bioastronautics, space medicine, flight test engineering, microgravity science, orbital mechanics, space robotics, and planetary geology. Students gain hands-on experience through research opportunities, space suit testing, microgravity experiments, and flight training at facilities in Florida. The institution operates research centers for Bioastronautics, Space Simulation, Space Medicine, and Flight Research, with partnerships providing access to additional facilities and expertise.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Master's Degree in Astronautical Sciences The world's first Master's degree program in Astronautical Sciences, offering licensed degrees with hands-on research opportunities in Space Environment, Bioastronautics, Space Operations, Flight Test Engineering, and Microgravity Sciences. Designed for seasoned industry professionals and students aspiring to careers in the space industry.
• Professional Certificates in Astronautical Sciences Licensed professional certificates in Space Environment, Bioastronautics, Space Operations, Flight Test Engineering, and Microgravity Sciences. Designed for professionals seeking industry-recognized credentials without committing to a full degree program.
• AST 101/501: Fundamentals of Astronautics Required prerequisite course covering foundational concepts in astronautics, offered during fall and spring semesters. Serves as the entry point for prospective Master's degree and certificate students.
• IIAS Specialized Astronautical Sciences Courses A portfolio of 17 individual semester-based courses covering Space Environment (AER 501), Spaceflight Physiology (BIO 501), Microgravity Research (BIO 601, AST 601), Life Support Systems (EVA 501), Space Medicine (EVA 502), Planetary Field Geology (EVA 503), Gravity-Offset EVA Space Suit Evaluation (EVA 601), Underwater Analog EVA (EVA 602), Orbital Mechanics (OPS 502), Space Robotics (OPS 503), Spacecraft Egress & Post-Landing Operations (OPS 601), Flight Test Engineering (FTE 501/502/503), and Citizen Science Research Methods (EDU 501). Multiple courses are cross-branded with AIAA.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 60 countries represented in student body
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Canadian Space Agency (CSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEVA space suit evaluation and bioastronautics research conducted in collaboration with the Canadian Space Agency.
• National Research Council of Canada (NRC-CNRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIIAS microgravity research, flight test engineering support, and IVA space suit evaluations are conducted in partnership with the National Research Council of Canada.
• Survival Systems USAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPost-landing egress and underwater EVA space suit evaluations are conducted using the IIAS neutral buoyancy and post-landing laboratory at Survival Systems USA.
• Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIIAS students are trained at IIAS facilities located at Florida Tech in Melbourne, Florida. These facilities include gravity-offset laboratories, space flight simulation, and research aircraft.
• American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerIIAS Courses (OPS 104, BIO 101, AER 101, EVA 101, and EVA 103) are cross-branded with AIAA. Additional advanced courses (OPS 502, BIO 501, AER 501, EVA 501, EVA 503) are also cross-branded with AIAA.
• Southern AeroMedical Institute (SAMI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouthern AeroMedical Institute is dedicated to promoting a culture of aviation and space safety through slow onset hypoxia training.
• National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAll IIAS post-landing IVA and underwater EVA space suit evaluations are certified by the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI), the SCUBA certification agency of NASA.
• FAA COE-CSTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIIAS is an Associate Member of the FAA COE-CST, a partner for IIAS aeronomy, human factors, and space suit technology research for suborbital, orbital, and lunar operations.

Scale indicators2 records

Direct peers

• NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School): NOLS is a global experiential education nonprofit that delivers immersive, hands-on training in wilderness environments. It is comparable as an operational analog — a mission-driven educational nonprofit using partner facilities to deliver field-based, experiential credentials that traditional universities do not offer.
• International Space University (ISU): ISU offers graduate-level and professional programs in space studies and space management from its campus in Strasbourg, France, with a globally diverse student body. It is the closest direct comparator to IIAS in space-focused graduate education and credentials, operating a similar niche specialty with international reach.
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: Embry-Riddle offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in aerospace engineering, space physics, and human factors, and is the dominant US institution for aviation/aerospace education. It competes with IIAS for the same pool of aspiring space-industry professionals and is the most credible competitor that could launch a competing Astronautical Sciences graduate degree.
• Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech): Florida Tech hosts IIAS's training facilities and offers its own aerospace and space sciences programs. It is both a partner and an adjacent competitor; if IIAS's partnership terms shifted, Florida Tech could directly absorb or compete with the IIAS educational offering.

Emerging players

• Zero Gravity Corporation: ZERO-G operates parabolic flight experiences and conducts microgravity research for government, academic, and commercial customers. It is comparable as a provider of hands-on microgravity training and research services, which overlaps with IIAS's microgravity and flight research offerings.
• Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS): SEDS is a global student-run organization that connects students interested in space with research and career opportunities. It is comparable as a community- and education-led space talent pipeline that competes for student mindshare at the top of the funnel.

Regional players

• Surrey Space Centre (University of Surrey): Surrey Space Centre runs postgraduate space engineering and satellite engineering programs and has a strong small-satellite research heritage. It is a comparable European peer in space-focused graduate research and education, though focused on engineering rather than human spaceflight.
• University of North Dakota Space Studies: UND offers a Master's in Space Studies and operates a spaceflight simulator facility for human spaceflight training. It is comparable as a US-based graduate space education provider with human spaceflight simulation credentials, and a credible competitive entrant in the niche IIAS occupies.

Broad incumbents

• Commercial Spaceflight Federation: CSF is the industry trade association for the commercial human spaceflight sector, including Virgin Galactic. It is comparable as a node in the commercial spaceflight ecosystem that also plays a coordinating role in standards, policy, and industry education.
• AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics): AIAA is the principal US professional society for aerospace and cross-brands IIAS courses. It is comparable as a broader community, credentialing, and continuing-education platform in astronautics that could expand its own course offerings and compete with IIAS for working professionals.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/possumastronaut
• Facebookfacebook.com/projectpossum
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/project-possum

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Project Polar Suborbital Science in the Upper Mesosphere