Space Enterprise at Berkeley
Space Enterprise at Berkeley (SEB) is a student-run, 501(c)(3) collegiate rocketry team at UC Berkeley developing liquid bipropellant rockets and in-house propulsion, avionics, and TVC systems to become the first collegiate team to reach the Kármán Line.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersRichmond, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Space Enterprise at Berkeley does
Space Enterprise at Berkeley (SEB) is a student-run, 501(c)(3) non-profit collegiate rocketry team based at UC Berkeley's Richmond Field Station in California. Founded in October 2016, the team of approximately 102 students pursues a mission to become the first collegiate group to send a liquid-fueled rocket past the Kármán Line (100 km). Its technical stack centers on liquid bipropellant propulsion — the LIGHTBULB ablative engine (2.7 kN, 23 hotfires across 2021–2024) and the HEAVYBULB regeneratively-cooled engine (11 kN on first static fire, April 2024, 3D-printed in Inconel-718) — supported by in-house developed subsystems including the E-Reg electronic pressure regulation with PID-controlled ball valves, low-cost thrust vector control (hardware under $500), capacitive propellant fill sensing, and custom flight computers and telemetry radios. The team also runs a Low Altitude Demonstrator (LAD) solid-program for rapid iteration on avionics, structures, and recovery, with the High Altitude Demonstrator (HAD) project now targeting 110,000+ ft as a step toward the 2028 spaceshot.
SEB serves UC Berkeley students (drawn from engineering, chemistry, computer science, biology, and astrophysics via open admission) and the broader aerospace community, providing hands-on R&D experience and publishing technical reports (including an arXiv paper on E-Reg) plus open-source firmware on GitHub. Revenue is non-commercial: the organization is funded by tiered corporate sponsorships (Blue Origin and Boeing at the Stratosphere tier; ADDMAN Group, Castheon, Keysight, Jacobs Institute, and others), individual crowdfunding campaigns (2021, 2022), and ASUC Registered Student Organization institutional support. Customers in the traditional sense do not exist — outputs are rocket vehicles, research publications, and trained engineers rather than products or services.
Space Enterprise at Berkeley firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Space Enterprise at Berkeley
- Legal name
- Space Enterprise at Berkeley
- Website
- https://berkeleyse.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Space Enterprise at Berkeley (SEB) is a student-run, 501(c)(3) collegiate rocketry team at UC Berkeley developing liquid bipropellant rockets and in-house propulsion, avionics, and TVC systems to become the first collegiate team to reach the Kármán Line.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Space Enterprise at Berkeley industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Aerospace Research & Development (Collegiate Rocketry)
- NAICS
- Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts Manufacturing (336415)
- SIC
- Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Launch Vehicles & Orbital Rockets (IMABACAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Rocket Engines (Liquid) (IMABADAE), Spacecraft Avionics, Flight Computers & Software (IMABACAI)
Keywords
Where Space Enterprise at Berkeley is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Richmond
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Space Enterprise at Berkeley business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Sponsorships and Donations: SEB operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The team is funded through corporate sponsorships and individual donations. Sponsors provide financial contributions, materials, components, software, or services. All donations are tax-deductible. SEB validates absolute need of parts through design reviews and simulations before requesting purchases, contributing to financial efficiency.
- ASUC Registered Student Organization (RSO) Funding: SEB is an ASUC-sponsored Registered Student Organization, receiving institutional support from the Associated Students of the University of California.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Space Enterprise at Berkeley product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Space Enterprise at Berkeley is a student-run collegiate rocketry team that designs, builds, and flies liquid bipropellant rockets through its Eureka program (with LAD solid-rocket demonstrators) as a step toward becoming the first collegiate team to send a liquid-fueled rocket past the Kármán Line. Outputs include rocket vehicles, supporting subsystems (E-REG pressure regulation, TVC, capacitive fill sensing, custom avionics), technical publications, and engineering education for UC Berkeley students.
Product overview
Space Enterprise at Berkeley is a student-run collegiate rocketry team (not a traditional product company) developing liquid-fueled rockets to reach the Kármán Line. The core offering is the Eureka Program—Eureka-1 (launched 2022), Eureka-2 (launched 2024), and Eureka-3 (in development)—supported by the Low Altitude Demonstrator (LAD) program for rapid subsystem testing. Key technology products include the LIGHTBULB ablative engine (2.7 kN, 23 hotfires) and HEAVYBULB regeneratively-cooled engine (11 kN, 3D printed Inconel). Supporting systems include E-REG electronic pressure regulation for engine throttling, Thrust Vector Control for engine positioning, and Capacitive Fill Sensing for propellant monitoring. VLAD and HAD serve as testbeds for recovery and high-altitude systems respectively.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Eureka Program Primary liquid bipropellant rocket program including Eureka-1 (December 2022), Eureka-2 (February 2024), and Eureka-3 (in development) aimed at becoming the first collegiate team to send a liquid-fueled rocket past the Kármán Line (100 km altitude). Built and operated by SEB student members at UC Berkeley.
- Low Altitude Demonstrator (LAD) Program Series of solid rockets using commercial solid motors to rapidly test and iterate avionics, structures, and recovery subsystems before applying them to more complex liquid-fueled Eureka vehicles. Includes LAD-1 'SPARK' (November 2018), LAD-2 'EMBER' (April 2019), LAD-4 'UPDOG' (March 2020, Mach 1.2 supersonic record), LAD-5 (March 2022), LAD-7 'Bent' (April 2022, first fully MJF 3D-printed nylon airframe), LAD-8 (June 2022, world's first fully 3D-printed rocket of its scale), LAD-8.1 (September 2022), and LAD-8X (October 2022).
- LIGHTBULB Ablative Engine SEB's ablative liquid bipropellant engine with pintle-design injector, phenolic composite ablative combustion chamber (protection up to ~2800°C), and graphite/phenolic nozzle. Produced 2.7 kN thrust over 23 hotfires and 2 launches (Eureka-1 and Eureka-2) from 2021-2024.
- HEAVYBULB Regeneratively-Cooled Engine Regeneratively-cooled liquid bipropellant engine using Nitrous Oxide and Isopropyl Alcohol propellants. Designed for 8 kN (2,000 lbf) thrust and intended for the Eureka-3 spaceshot vehicle. 3D printed out of Inconel-718 via Castheon/ADDMAN Group; first static fire on April 20, 2024 produced 11 kN (2,600 lbf), exceeding design thrust by ~38% and exceeding LIGHTBULB by over 4x.
- E-REG Electronic Pressure Regulation System In-house developed electronic flow regulator system replacing mechanical dome-loaded pressure regulators. Uses closed-loop PID control with motors connected to ball valves to precisely control propellant tank pressures and enable engine throttling. Uses a Quad E-Reg architecture with 4 valves. Flew successfully on Eureka-2 in February 2024 with a 14-second burn.
- Thrust Vector Control (TVC) System Engine control system enabling directional thrust adjustment by moving the engine. Achieved ±13 degrees control with near-perfect tracking during Fall 2022 Lander Challenge milestone. SEB became the first team to attempt any Lander Challenge milestone and the first collegiate team to demonstrate TVC of a liquid engine. Hardware cost under $500, an order of magnitude lower than conventional systems.
- Capacitive Fill Sensing System Custom capacitive sensor system using concentric cylinder capacitors with Teflon spacers to precisely detect fill levels in propellant tanks. Measures capacitance changes as tanks fill with liquid (non-cryogenic) propellants such as propane, providing much more accurate flow rate data than prior temperature-based systems.
- VLAD (Very Low Altitude Demonstrator) Testbed rocket for Eureka-2's recovery system featuring the exact dual-deploy recovery configuration planned for the Eureka-2 flight. Launched October 7, 2023 to ~6,000 feet simulating flight conditions before Eureka-2; achieved SEB's first nominal recovery.
- High Altitude Demonstrator (HAD) Project targeting 110,000+ feet altitude with Mach 3.5 peak velocity to demonstrate aerostructures, avionics, and recovery systems for the Eureka-3 spaceshot campaign. Subscale solid vehicle LADHAD2 successfully launched and recovered in March 2025.
Quantifiable outcome
- 20+ successful static fires and 12 launches since inception
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Space Enterprise at Berkeley
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Space Enterprise at Berkeley technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature9 records
Space Enterprise at Berkeley partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Friends of Amateur Rocketry (FAR)coreFAR provides the launch facility in the Mojave Desert, CA where SEB conducts static fires and launches. FAR is listed in the Exosphere sponsor tier, indicating significant support for the team's operations.
- Jacobs Institute for DesigncoreListed in the Exosphere sponsor tier. Jacobs Institute at UC Berkeley supports SEB's engineering work and provides access to facilities and resources for student design projects.
- ADDMAN GroupcoreADDMAN Group is a sponsor that provides additive manufacturing services. HEAVYBULB and other components are 3D printed courtesy of ADDMAN Group and Castheon.
- CastheoncoreCastheon provided the Inconel 3D printing for the HEAVYBULB regeneratively-cooled engine, enabling SEB to manufacture complex engine geometries not possible with traditional methods.
- UC Berkeley College of EngineeringcoreSEB is affiliated with UC Berkeley College of Engineering. The college provides institutional support, facilities access (Etcheverry Hall machine shop, Jacobs Hall wood/metal shops), and promotional exposure through Berkeley Mechanical Engineering website.
- Keysight TechnologiesminorListed in the Exosphere sponsor tier. Keysight provides test and measurement equipment or services supporting SEB's development and testing of rocket systems.
- ProtolabsminorListed as a sponsor. Protolabs provides rapid prototyping and manufacturing services supporting SEB's component development.
- Lander ChallengeminorSEB was the first team to attempt any of the Lander Challenge's milestones in Fall 2022, successfully sweeping their engine in a controlled circle. This represents a technical collaboration and competition environment for testing TVC capabilities.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Space Enterprise at Berkeley competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Stanford Student Space Initiative: Stanford SSI is a multidisciplinary student space organization with rocket, satellite, and rover projects. SEB and SSI are peer Bay Area collegiate space groups competing for similar talent, sponsors, and recognition within the California aerospace ecosystem.
- Georgia Tech Space Systems Design Lab (SSDL): Georgia Tech SSDL runs student-driven spacecraft and rocket projects. SEB and SSDL share the profile of academically rigorous collegiate programs developing launch and propulsion technology.
- Cal Poly CubeSat / PolySat: Cal Poly's PolySat program is a long-running student smallsat and aerospace engineering effort with deep industry ties. SEB and PolySat are peer California collegiate aerospace programs developing and flying student-built vehicles.
- MIT Rocket Team: MIT Rocket Team is a leading collegiate liquid-bipropellant rocketry program with comparable ambitions in advanced propulsion and high-altitude flight. SEB and MIT Rocket Team compete in the same niche (collegiate liquid bipropellant engines and avionics) and share sponsor overlap.
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University — Space Physics & Engineering Programs: Embry-Riddle runs multiple student rocket and space-vehicle projects (including high-power rockets and competitions like Spaceport America Cup). SEB and ERAU compete in the same collegiate rocketry ecosystem.
- USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory: USC RPL is a student-run collegiate rocketry team with an explicit mission to reach space (Traveler IV claimed past the Karman Line). SEB and USCRPL compete directly for the title of first collegiate team to reach space and for shared aerospace sponsorship dollars.
- Purdue Space Program: Purdue Space Program is a large student-run rocketry organization with high-power and high-altitude liquid/solid projects and deep Boeing sponsorship ties. SEB and PSP compete in the same collegiate launch-to-space race and for the same aerospace sponsor pool.
- University of Colorado Boulder — Aerospace Engineering Sciences: CU Boulder hosts student rocketry and smallsat programs (e.g., AIAA Design-Build-Fly teams, RecSat/CubeSat efforts) and is a leading aerospace engineering school. SEB and CU Boulder collegiate teams compete in similar propulsion and high-altitude competitions.
Broad incumbents
- Relativity Space: Relativity Space is a commercial launch startup using large-scale additive manufacturing for rocket engines and structures — directly analogous to SEB's 3D-printed airframe and HEAVYBULB Inconel regen engine approach, but operating at orbital scale.
- Blue Origin: Blue Origin is a current SEB sponsor (Stratosphere tier) and a major commercial launch provider. It is comparable as a broader incumbent in the same launch/propulsion category, while operating at vastly greater scale.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Space Enterprise at Berkeley social profiles
Digital presenceSpace Enterprise at Berkeley financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Space Enterprise at Berkeley leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Space Enterprise at Berkeley funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Space Enterprise at Berkeley M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Space Enterprise at Berkeley
What does Space Enterprise at Berkeley do?
Space Enterprise at Berkeley is a student-run collegiate rocketry team that designs, builds, and flies liquid bipropellant rockets through its Eureka program (with LAD solid-rocket demonstrators) as a step toward becoming the first collegiate team to send a liquid-fueled rocket past the Kármán Line. Outputs include rocket vehicles, supporting subsystems (E-REG pressure regulation, TVC, capacitive fill sensing, custom avionics), technical publications, and engineering education for UC Berkeley students.
Is Space Enterprise at Berkeley a public or private company?
Space Enterprise at Berkeley is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Space Enterprise at Berkeley founded?
Space Enterprise at Berkeley was founded in 2016. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Space Enterprise at Berkeley based?
Space Enterprise at Berkeley is headquartered in Richmond, United States, in the North America region.
How does Space Enterprise at Berkeley make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Sponsorships and Donations are the primary driver. The others are ASUC Registered Student Organization (RSO) Funding.
Who are Space Enterprise at Berkeley's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Stanford Student Space Initiative, Georgia Tech Space Systems Design Lab (SSDL), Cal Poly CubeSat / PolySat, MIT Rocket Team, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University — Space Physics & Engineering Programs, USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory, Purdue Space Program and University of Colorado Boulder — Aerospace Engineering Sciences. Broad incumbents are Relativity Space and Blue Origin.
Does Space Enterprise at Berkeley have an API?
No public API is recorded for Space Enterprise at Berkeley.
What industry is Space Enterprise at Berkeley in?
Space Enterprise at Berkeley's product category is Aerospace Research & Development (Collegiate Rocketry). Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABACAA, Launch Vehicles & Orbital Rockets, with a secondary code of IMABADAE, Rocket Engines (Liquid). Its NAICS code is 336414 and its SIC code is 3760.