Husky Satellite Lab

What Husky Satellite Lab does

Husky Satellite Lab (HSL) is a student-run research and development laboratory at the University of Washington, founded in 2015, dedicated to advancing CubeSat (3U/6U/12U small-satellite) technologies for interplanetary exploration. The lab pursues a three-mission roadmap: HuskySat-1 (3U CubeSat launched November 2019 aboard NASA's Cygnus NG-12 and deployed into LEO in January 2020, becoming the first amateur student-built satellite from Washington state), HuskySat-2 (3U CubeSat in development with planned ~2028 LEO launch at 200-400 km altitude), and HuskySat-3 (6U/12U CubeSat planned for the 2030s targeting Lunar Gateway orbit to map lunar lava tubes). The lab operates across multiple engineering divisions—Structures, Thermal, Electrical Power System, ADCS, Command and Data Handling, Communications and Ground Software, Star Tracker, Horizon Tracker, Propulsion R&D, and Business—with ~30 documented student leaders across the Board of Directors, Presidents, Division Heads, and Subsystem Leads. Technology validation occurs through high-altitude balloon tests (PHAT-1 in 2019, PHAT-3 in May 2026 reaching 93,000+ feet) and the Mission CHNOOK sub-orbital flight with Blue Origin.

HSL's core proprietary technologies are two open-source software products released on the UWCubeSat GitHub organization: LOST (Light Optical Star Tracker), which identifies on-camera constellations to determine spacecraft orientation on low-powered flight hardware, and FOUND (Open-source Universal Navigation Determiner), which calculates orbital trajectory via Earth limb detection from camera imagery, enabling GPS-free position determination. The lab also conducts R&D across CubeSat-scale propulsion (hot-gas water propulsion, electrospray thrusters, ASCENT mono-propellant) and runs a Basilisk-based orbital simulation platform. Both software packages are positioned as free alternatives to expensive proprietary star trackers and GPS-dependent navigation systems, targeting cislunar and deep-space environments where GPS is unavailable.

HSL does not operate a commercial business model. It is 100% student-run and funded through hardware, software, and financial sponsorships from government programs (NASA, University Nanosatellite Program, Washington Space Grant) and corporate partners (Apex, Stoke Space, Blue Origin, Valispace, SimScale, Green Heron Engineering, Takasago Fluidics, Systima Technologies, Molex, Total Phase, Charter Space, Zulip). All software outputs are released as free open-source tools with no licensing fees, pricing models, or commercial sales. The primary customer segments served are University Research and Student Education (UW students gaining hands-on aerospace engineering experience), Small Satellite Operators globally seeking affordable open-source navigation, and the Amateur Radio Community through AMSAT partnership for HuskySat-1's linear transponder.

Name

Husky Satellite Lab

Legal name

Husky Satellite Lab

Website

https://huskysat.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Husky Satellite Lab is a student-run University of Washington research laboratory, founded in 2015, developing CubeSat technologies and open-source GPS-independent optical navigation software (LOST and FOUND) for LEO and cislunar missions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

CubeSat Technology

NAICS

Space Research and Technology (927110)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)

akta.pro primary industry

Spacecraft Integration, Assembly & Test (IAT) (IMABACAK)

Keywords

• CubeSat development
• Open-source star tracker
• GPS-free orbital navigation
• Small satellite missions
• Student aerospace research

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Sponsorships and Grants: 100% student-run lab funded through hardware, software, and financial sponsorships from aerospace and engineering industry companies, NASA funding, University Nanosatellite Program support, and Washington Space Grant.
2. Open-source Software Distribution: Core software products (LOST and FOUND) are released as free, publicly accessible open-source alternatives to proprietary navigation systems, generating no direct revenue but building community and industry adoption.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Husky Satellite Lab is a student-run University of Washington research laboratory that designs and builds CubeSat missions (HuskySat-1/2/3) and develops open-source, GPS-independent optical navigation software (LOST star tracker and FOUND orbital position determiner). It also conducts propulsion R&D, high-altitude balloon testing (PHAT platform), and Basilisk-based orbital simulation to enable CubeSat-scale interplanetary exploration.

Product overview

Husky Satellite Lab is a student-run research and development laboratory at the University of Washington developing CubeSat technologies for interplanetary exploration. The portfolio centers on three flagship CubeSat missions (HuskySat-1, 2, and 3), supported by two open-source navigation software products (LOST star tracker and FOUND orbital position calculator) and a Basilisk-based orbital simulation platform. The lab also conducts Propulsion R&D for small satellite propulsion systems and operates high-altitude balloon testing missions (PHAT-1 and PHAT-3) for technology validation. All software is open-source and publicly accessible via GitHub.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LOST: Open-source star tracker software for spacecraft attitude determination, optimized for low-powered flight hardware.
• FOUND

Products and services

• LOST (Light Optical Star Tracker) Open-source star tracker software optimized to run on low-powered flight hardware. Identifies on-camera constellations to determine spacecraft orientation in orbit, providing a free alternative to expensive proprietary star trackers. Hardware-agnostic and supports multiple camera configurations and radiation environments.
• FOUND (Open-source Universal Navigation Determiner) Open-source orbital trajectory calculator that determines spacecraft position using Earth limb detection from camera imagery. Enables GPS-free navigation in LEO, cislunar space, lunar orbit, and beyond, based on a Christian Robinson algorithm to reconstruct orbital parameters from visual observations alone.
• HuskySat-1 (HS-1) CubeSat 3U CubeSat designed, built, and tested by HSL. Mission tested a pulsed plasma thruster (PPT) experimental payload, a high-frequency K-band communication system, and an AMSAT-supplied Amateur Radio Linear Transponder. Launched 2019 and deployed 2020.
• HuskySat-2 (HS-2) CubeSat 3U CubeSat mission testing GPS-independent optical navigation software (LOST and FOUND) in orbit. Captures images of Earth's curvature and star constellations to determine spacecraft position. Sponsored by the University Nanosatellite Program.
• HuskySat-3 (HS-3) CubeSat 6U/12U CubeSat designed to map lava tubes beneath the lunar surface using ground-penetrating radar to identify hospitable locations for future lunar bases. Will feature LOST and FOUND software for autonomous decision-making and orbital parameters. Deployment planned for Lunar Gateway orbit in the 2030s.
• PHAT (Platform for High Altitude Testing) Balloons High-altitude balloon testing platforms used to test and validate technology destined for CubeSat missions. PHAT-1 launched June 2019; PHAT-3 launched May 2026 reaching over 93,000 feet with successful payload recovery.
• Mission CHNOOK Multi-payload sub-orbital package launched aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard featuring community outreach payloads, biological experiments testing DNA origami structures under microgravity, and technology demonstrations for HS-2 and HS-3.

Quantifiable outcome

• First amateur student-built satellite from Washington state deployed to orbit
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• University of WashingtoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution providing research facilities, academic framework, and student access. Founded and houses the Husky Satellite Lab on its campus.
• AMSATmajorTechnology or IntegrationAmateur Radio Satellite Corporation providing the amateur radio linear transponder for HuskySat-1. Contributes to worldwide communication networks built by ham radio enthusiasts.
• Blue OriginmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted Mission CHNOOK multi-payload sub-orbital package on New Shepard flight, enabling community outreach, biological experiments, and technology demonstrations.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Cornell University Space Systems Design Studio: Cornell's student-led space systems design studio building and launching CubeSat missions. Direct peer in terms of student-run university CubeSat development with similar multi-mission pipelines and academic sponsorship models.
• Stanford Space Rendezvous Laboratory: University of Stanford research laboratory focused on spacecraft guidance, navigation, and control — directly overlapping with HSL's LOST/FOUND optical navigation R&D. Comparable in academic setting and navigation-focused research output.
• Georgia Tech Small Satellite Research Lab (SSRL): University-led CubeSat and small satellite research laboratory at Georgia Tech. Directly comparable as a university research lab producing CubeSats with student involvement and government/industry sponsorship.
• Cal Poly CubeSat Lab: Student-run university CubeSat development lab at California Polytechnic State University. Directly comparable to Husky Satellite Lab in mission profile: hands-on student CubeSat development, multi-mission pipeline, and integration with academic aerospace programs.
• University of Michigan MXL (Michigan Exploration Lab): University of Michigan student-run space exploration lab developing CubeSats and small satellite missions. Direct peer in academic setting, student-led structure, and CubeSat mission portfolio.

Emerging players

• AAC Clyde Space: Commercial small-satellite mission services and subsystem provider offering CubeSat platforms and components. Comparable in providing end-to-end small-sat solutions that compete with open-source alternatives HSL develops.
• Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems: Commercial small-satellite manufacturer and integrator providing CubeSat and nanosatellite platforms. Comparable as a CubeSat-focused integrator in the same product category as HSL's mission output.
• GomSpace: Commercial Danish CubeSat subsystems and mission provider with a strong university-customer base. Comparable to HSL as a CubeSat-focused entity serving the small-sat market, though operating commercially with full mission solutions rather than open-source.
• Pumpkin Inc: Provider of CubeSat kits, structures, and electrical power systems widely used by university CubeSat programs. Comparable as an enabling infrastructure provider for university CubeSat development, including teams similar to HSL.
• Blue Canyon Technologies: Commercial provider of CubeSat buses, attitude determination and control systems, and small-satellite components. Comparable as a provider of CubeSat ADCS subsystems — directly competing with HSL's LOST star-tracker functionality in the commercial market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/huskysat
• GitHubgithub.com/UWCubeSat
• Facebookfacebook.com/huskysat
• Instagraminstagram.com/huskysatlab
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/huskysat

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Husky Satellite Lab