NASA HUNCH
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersHouston, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
NASA HUNCH firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- NASA HUNCH
- Legal name
- NASA HUNCH (High Schools United with NASA to Create Hardware)
- Website
- https://nasahunch.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
NASA HUNCH industry classification
Industry- Product category
- STEM Education and Workforce Development
- NAICS
- Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414)
- SIC
- Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Space & Astronomy Programs (EDAMABAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Robotics & Engineering Summer Camps / Bootcamps (EDAMADAF)
Keywords
Where NASA HUNCH is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Houston
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
NASA HUNCH business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
NASA HUNCH product offering
Product offeringCore offering
NASA HUNCH (High Schools United with NASA to Create Hardware) is a free workforce development program where high school students design and fabricate real hardware used by NASA engineers and astronauts aboard the International Space Station and in support of the Artemis Moon to Mars initiative. The program operates across 34 U.S. states through 551+ classroom programs, with students following authentic NASA engineering processes including Preliminary Design Reviews (PDR), Critical Design Reviews (CDR), and Final Design Reviews (FDR) to deliver flight-qualified hardware.
Product overview
NASA HUNCH (High Schools United with NASA to Create Hardware) is a workforce development program with a 24-year legacy that operates as a multi-program portfolio. The program offers nine distinct educational tracks: Culinary - Food Science, Biomedical Engineering and Health Science, Software and Hardware Engineering plus Robotics, NASA Hunch Academy (K-8), Flight Configuration (advanced CAD), Hardware (flight hardware manufacturing), Design and Prototyping, Video and Media Challenge, and Sewn Flight Articles – Softgoods. Students gain hands-on experience designing and fabricating real-world products used by NASA engineers and astronauts aboard the ISS, with a forward-looking focus on Artemis and Moon to Mars initiatives. The programs are structured to mirror NASA's engineering processes including Preliminary Design Reviews (PDR), Critical Design Reviews (CDR), and Final Design Reviews (FDR), with flight hardware integrated into SpaceX Dragon and other resupply missions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Culinary - Food Science A culinary arts program where high school student teams develop space-ready meals for astronauts aboard the International Space Station, culminating in a national competition judged by astronauts, chefs, and food scientists at Johnson Space Center's Food Lab.
- Biomedical Engineering and Health Science A student program that addresses physiological changes in humans during spaceflight on the Moon and Mars, with projects such as IV Fluid Administration, Lunar Splint Design, ARES Lunar Dust Project, and ARED exercise protocols, leading to selection for the NASA HRP IWS Conference.
- Software and Hardware Engineering plus Robotics A software and robotics program covering Programming/Coding, Database Design, Cyber Security, AI & ML, Robotics, and Game Design, with projects such as HERA Moonscape/Marscape, LLASO Lunar Logistics Supply Chain VR, AI Plant Growth, Medical Diagnostic Systems with ML, and Lunar Robots Repair Garage.
- NASA Hunch Academy A K-8 educational program with Investigation Stations involving challenges facing NASA engineers, including projects like Plants in Space, Insects in Space, Lunar Art, Microgravity Dice Game, Lunar Brick Mold, Lunar Chair, Lunar Scooter Wheel, and Lunar Greenhouse.
- Flight Configuration An advanced CAD/design program where students create engineering drawings, prototypes, and EDUs to NASA aerospace drafting and manufacturing standards, with projects such as Freezer Soft Stowage Bag, Passive Cargo Restraints, and Lunar/Mars Sample Container designs.
- Hardware A manufacturing program where students design and build high-quality flight hardware for the ISS to NASA specifications, including Stowage Lockers, Galley Tables, and maintenance solutions produced through the HUNCH Machining and Assembly Center.
- Design and Prototyping 2026-2027 A student program where teams solve NASA problems by developing solutions and building progressively improving working models, including Multi-Purpose Lunar Packing Boxes, Zero-g Washing Machine, Lunar Habitat Shoes, and Robotic Sample Retriever for Mars.
- Video and Media Challenge A media production program where students create educational videos about NASA's missions and STEM careers under the 'Gateway to the Cosmos' theme exploring NASA's Lunar Outpost, judged and managed in partnership with ACTE.
- Sewn Flight Articles - Softgoods A fabric and soft materials program creating goods requested by NASA centers and ISS astronauts, including crew pantry redesigns and personal item kits, that serve both flight and high-fidelity training purposes.
- Test Program A test environment program covering Programming, Coding, IT, System Design, Cybersecurity, Gaming, VR/AR, Artificial Intelligence, AI & ML, and Robotics for evaluating new program capabilities.
Quantifiable outcome
- 4100+ hardware items designed by students are currently in use aboard the ISS
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use NASA HUNCH
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
NASA HUNCH technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability10 records
NASA HUNCH partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered critical, core and minor.
- Haas Automation Inc.criticalGlobal leader in manufacturing CNC equipment that HUNCH and its member schools use domestically and in Europe. Provides tangible preferred pricing to HUNCH as an HTEC producing Space Flight Hardware on Haas machinery.
- MastercamcoreLeading CAD/CAM software provider offering free educational licenses of its full-featured software suite to participating HUNCH schools. Enables students to program and simulate CNC machining for real-world hardware projects.
- StratasyscoreAdditive Manufacturing company that has been a partner for several years. Provides favorable pricing advantages on material and equipment, as well as training and non-material assistance.
- ELEMENTUMcoreLeading developers of enhanced metal additive manufacturing (AM) powders. Mentoring and judging student projects, providing additive manufacturing projects for Design & Prototype students.
- American Culinary FederationcoreProvides certificate opportunities in various culinary areas, judges for final events, and scholarship opportunities. Invites winning team to their National ACF Conference each year to present their winning food.
- American Academy of ChefscoreThe Honor Society of the ACF providing $10K per year for students. Provides professional chef judges for final culinary events and significant scholarships.
- World Association of Chefs' Societies (WORLDCHEFS)minorGlobal chefs' society partner supporting culinary programs and competitions.
- Sullivan UniversitycoreProvides scholarship opportunities for winning students in culinary. Provides judges and summer camp facilities where NASA HUNCH representatives partner with chefs to showcase the culinary challenge program.
- Culinary Institute LenotrecoreProviding three academic scholarships to top three HUNCH Culinary Sciences winners to their institute in Houston, Texas. Supporting program by providing Chef Judges to HUNCH reviews and mentorship guidance.
- Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE)coreKey partner providing management resources in Video Challenge. Assists in management and judging video entries from across the nation, provides training development for the team.
- Space Center HoustoncoreLong-time host for NASA HUNCH Final Design Reviews and Culinary finals. Attracts visitors from all over the world and showcases manned space flight history.
- Space FoundationminorNonprofit organization founded in 1983 as gateway to unite global space community. Collaborates with NASA HUNCH on educational programs for high school students.
- Lone Star Flight MuseumcoreLong-term partner hosting critical design events and annual HUNCH meetings. Hosted Flight Configuration Final Design Reviews.
- Drake State Community & Technical CollegecoreState-of-the-art institution training workforce of tomorrow, located in Huntsville, Alabama. Manufacturing hub for HUNCH in southeastern United States, participating in production of space flight hardware.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
NASA HUNCH competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Code.org: Nonprofit providing K-12 computer science curriculum and advocacy. Partially comparable to HUNCH's Software and Hardware Engineering plus Robotics track in target audience (K-12 students) and workforce development mission, but narrower in technical domain.
- Space Foundation: Nonprofit providing K-12 space education programs, teacher training, and STEM resources, also an existing HUNCH partner. Comparable in space-themed STEM education focus but with a wider age range and broader programmatic mission.
Direct peers
- Destination Imagination: Nonprofit offering project-based STEAM challenges for K-12 students with team-based problem solving and tournaments. Comparable to HUNCH in mission (project-based learning) and student demographic, though with a broader arts-inclusive scope.
- FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology): Operates K-12 STEM competitions (FIRST Robotics, FIRST Tech Challenge) where students design and build real engineering artifacts with industry mentorship. Closest comparable to HUNCH's hands-on, project-based STEM model with industry partners and capstone competitions.
- VEX Robotics / VEX Education: Provides K-12 educational robotics kits, competitions, and curriculum used widely in U.S. high schools. Directly comparable to HUNCH's Software and Hardware Engineering plus Robotics track in terms of student base, robotics focus, and competition-driven engagement.
- National Space Grant Consortium / Space Grant Foundation: NASA-funded network of 52 state-based consortia supporting space-related education, research, and workforce development. Closest peer to HUNCH in mission, NASA funding lineage, and focus on building a space industry talent pipeline.
- Project Lead The Way (PLTW): Provides K-12 STEM curricula in engineering, biomedical, and computer science with project-based learning pathways that mirror HUNCH's multi-track approach. Directly comparable as a school-implemented workforce development curriculum provider.
- Haas Technical Education Centers (HTECs): Network of postsecondary manufacturing education centers using Haas CNC equipment, of which HUNCH itself is now a member. Directly comparable as a manufacturing education network with shared Haas machinery, curriculum, and student-built artifact output.
Broad incumbents
- LEGO Education: Major STEM/STEAM education provider offering hands-on building kits, curriculum, and competition programs for K-12 classrooms globally. Comparable in hands-on, project-based K-12 STEM delivery model, though a broader incumbent with consumer-product reach.
- NASA Office of STEM Engagement: NASA's broader K-12 STEM engagement umbrella under which HUNCH itself operates. Directly comparable as a NASA-affiliated STEM workforce pipeline program, though with much wider programmatic scope (internships, challenges, K-12 grants).
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks2 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
NASA HUNCH social profiles
Digital presenceNASA HUNCH financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
NASA HUNCH leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
NASA HUNCH funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
NASA HUNCH 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 NASA HUNCH
What does NASA HUNCH do?
NASA HUNCH (High Schools United with NASA to Create Hardware) is a free workforce development program where high school students design and fabricate real hardware used by NASA engineers and astronauts aboard the International Space Station and in support of the Artemis Moon to Mars initiative. The program operates across 34 U.S. states through 551+ classroom programs, with students following authentic NASA engineering processes including Preliminary Design Reviews (PDR), Critical Design Reviews (CDR), and Final Design Reviews (FDR) to deliver flight-qualified hardware.
Is NASA HUNCH a public or private company?
NASA HUNCH is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was NASA HUNCH founded?
NASA HUNCH was founded in 2002. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is NASA HUNCH based?
NASA HUNCH is headquartered in Houston, United States, in the North America region.
Who are NASA HUNCH's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Code.org and Space Foundation. Direct peers are Destination Imagination, FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), VEX Robotics / VEX Education, National Space Grant Consortium / Space Grant Foundation, Project Lead The Way (PLTW) and Haas Technical Education Centers (HTECs). Broad incumbents are LEGO Education and NASA Office of STEM Engagement.
Does NASA HUNCH have an API?
No public API is recorded for NASA HUNCH.
What industry is NASA HUNCH in?
NASA HUNCH's product category is STEM Education and Workforce Development. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMABAE, Space & Astronomy Programs, with a secondary code of EDAMADAF, Robotics & Engineering Summer Camps / Bootcamps. Its NAICS code is 336414 and its SIC code is 3760.