Yale Undergraduate Aerospace Association (YUAA)

What Yale Undergraduate Aerospace Association (YUAA) does

YUAA is a student-run, independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit aerospace organization founded in 2010 and based at Yale University, where it operates as the largest engineering club on campus with approximately 120 active undergraduate members drawn from STEM, economics, humanities, and other disciplines. The organization is legally separate from Yale, governed by a student-elected executive board, and structured around a hands-on project portfolio rather than commercial products. Its official operations base is 10 Hillhouse Avenue, Room 107, New Haven, Connecticut, with deliverables executed primarily in Connecticut, Utah (IREC competition venue), and Virginia (Battle of the Rockets venue).

YUAA's current portfolio spans five core streams: the BLAST CubeSat (Bouchet Low-earth Alpha/Beta Space Telescope), a multi-year NASA CubeSat Launch Initiative partner spacecraft carrying a scintillator-based cosmic ray detector with custom B-dot attitude control algorithms, gravity-gradient passive stabilization, SDR-based ground station communications, and FreeRTOS flight software on STM32H7; Project Liquid, the first undergraduate liquid rocket propulsion effort at Yale and in the Tri-State Area, currently designing an actively cooled engine with hundreds of pounds of thrust for IREC following successful 2023 and 2024 cold-flow tests; Project Rocket, the high-power rocketry team; Project Jet, an RC jet attempting to break the 465 mph world speed record; and the Space Policy Research Center (SPRC), the organization's first non-engineering program, founded in 2023. Secondary historical streams have included high-altitude balloons, radio/optical telescopes, UAVs, and turbojet engines.

YUAA's revenue model combines corporate sponsorships across a four-tier ladder (Atmospheric $500-$999, Orbital $1,000-$4,999, Interstellar $5,000-$9,999, Galactic $10,000+), tax-deductible individual donations routed through Yale's For Humanity platform (designation 32212), in-kind design review contributions valued at $250 per hour, and a branded merchandise storefront at $15.99 to $22.95 per item. Sponsors receive escalating benefits — resume book access, sponsored social posts, logo placement on rockets and projects, conference exhibition, invitations to test events, direct student email-list access at the Galactic tier, and dedicated info-session hosting. Named sponsors include Yale SEAS, Onshape, Altium, Stony Creek Quarry, YSEA, Linde, and NASA Connecticut Space Grant Consortium. New members are recruited via email signup on the website, gaining Discord access and a bi-weekly newsletter subscription. Since 2010 the organization has executed 50 distinct aerospace projects, achieved a 9,617-foot altitude record and a 45,000-foot high-altitude balloon flight, and earned recognition including sole collegiate commendation at the 2015 White House Astronomy Night.

Name

Yale Undergraduate Aerospace Association (YUAA)

Legal name

YUAA Corporation

Website

https://yaleaerospace.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

YUAA is a Yale-based, student-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit aerospace organization providing approximately 120 undergraduates hands-on experience in CubeSat engineering, liquid and high-power rocketry, RC jet design, and space policy research, funded by tiered corporate sponsorships, individual donations, and merchandise sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

New Haven, Connecticut

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Corporate Sponsorships: YUAA accepts corporate sponsorships across four tiers: Atmospheric ($500–$999), Orbital ($1,000–$4,999), Interstellar ($5,000–$9,999), and Galactic ($10,000+). Benefits include logo placement, resume access, sponsored social media posts, invite to test events, exhibition at Yale-hosted conferences, direct access to the student email list, and the ability to host day-long info sessions.
2. Individual Donations: Monetary contributions from individuals are accepted via For Humanity, The Yale Campaign (Yale's official 501(c)(3) donation platform). Donors use designation code '32212'. Both tax-deductible and non-tax-deductible contributions are accepted depending on the giving vehicle.
3. In-Kind Donations and Design Assistance: YUAA accepts assistance in design reviews (counted at $250/hr toward sponsorship tiers), as well as donations and discounts on materials, products, and software. The monetary value of gifted materials and products counts toward sponsorship tiers.
4. Merchandise Sales: YUAA sells branded merchandise including t-shirts, windbreakers, hats, and fanny packs through its e-commerce storefront, with prices ranging from $15.99 to $22.95.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

YUAA is a student-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit aerospace organization that delivers hands-on aerospace engineering projects and research to Yale undergraduates across five active project streams: CubeSat (BLAST cosmic ray detector satellite), Project Liquid (liquid rocket engine), Project Rocket (high-power competition rockets), Project Jet (RC jet speed record), and the Space Policy Research Center (SPRC). The organization also operates a merchandise store selling branded apparel and accessories.

Product overview

Yale Undergraduate Aerospace Association (YUAA) is a student-led aerospace engineering organization offering a portfolio of hands-on aerospace projects rather than a traditional commercial product. The core offering consists of five active project streams: CubeSat (spacecraft development with NASA partnership), Project Liquid (liquid rocket propulsion), Project Rocket (high-power rocketry for IREC competition), Project Jet (RC jet speed record attempt), and Space Policy Research Center (space policy research). Secondary offerings include historical projects in high-altitude balloons, radio astronomy, optical telescopes, UAVs, and turbojet engines. The organization also operates a merchandise store selling branded apparel. YUAA functions as an educational and project-based service for students, providing real-world engineering experience across multiple aerospace disciplines.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Project Liquid: First undergraduate initiative at Yale and in the Tri-State Area to develop an engine capable of liquid propulsion. Founded Fall 2021, developing liquid rocket engines with hundreds of pounds of thrust.
• Project Rocket
• CubeSat / BLAST
• Project Jet
• Space Policy Research Center (SPRC)

Products and services

• CubeSat (BLAST - Bouchet Low-earth Alpha/Beta Space Telescope) A multi-year project designing and building a CubeSat that will carry a cosmic ray detector to measure high-energy protons and electrons. The satellite will demonstrate gravity gradient technology for passive stabilization and is being developed in partnership with NASA's CubeSat Launch Initiative.
• Project Liquid The first undergraduate initiative at Yale and in the Tri-State Area to develop an engine capable of liquid propulsion. Founded in Fall 2021, the project has developed a series of designs progressing from proof of concept to engines capable of powering rockets, currently designing an actively cooled engine with hundreds of pounds of thrust for IREC competition.
• Project Rocket The rocket team that engineers and fabricates YUAA's competition rocket which competes at the annual IREC competition. The team designs and launches smaller CERT rockets in the fall before moving into work on the larger IREC rocket for the majority of the year.
• Project Jet (Yale Jet Aeronautics) An aeronautical engineering project dedicated to breaking the world RC Jet speed record of 465 mph. The team is designing, building, testing, and flying an RC jet with an in-house airframe and jet engine, currently the only aeronautical engineering project at Yale.
• Space Policy Research Center (SPRC) Founded in 2023, this project unites diverse perspectives to create dynamic, original research in the field of space policy. Undergraduates work in teams with mentors from academic, commercial, and defense spheres and present their research at conferences around the United States.
• YUAA Merchandise Store Online merchandise store offering branded apparel and accessories including t-shirts, windbreakers, hats, and fanny packs featuring the YUAA logo and aerospace-themed designs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2nd Place in SDL Payload Challenge at IREC 2014 (out of 36 teams) with Chronos rocket carrying an atomic clock to measure relativistic effects
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered galactic (flagship), interstellar, orbital, atmospheric and minor.

• Altiumgalactic (flagship)Technology or IntegrationAltium is listed as a Galactic-level sponsor on YUAA's website. Altium provides software tools that empower and connect PCB designers, part suppliers, and manufacturers to develop and manufacture electronics products faster and more efficiently. Their sponsorship gives YUAA access to professional-grade PCB design software.
• Onshapegalactic (flagship)Technology or IntegrationOnshape is listed as a Galactic-level sponsor. Onshape is the first and only cloud-native product development platform delivering professional-grade CAD capabilities with next-generation product data management (PDM), powering agile design processes at lower costs. YUAA uses Onshape for CAD design across its projects.
• LindeinterstellarStrategic or Co-development PartnerLinde is listed as an Interstellar-level sponsor. Linde serves a variety of end markets including chemicals, energy, food & beverage, electronics, healthcare, manufacturing, and metals & mining. Linde's industrial gases are used in applications from life-saving oxygen for hospitals to high-purity gases for electronics manufacturing and hydrogen for clean fuels.
• NASA Connecticut Space Grant Consortium (CTSGC)interstellarStrategic or Co-development PartnerNASA CTSGC is listed as an Interstellar sponsor. It is a federally mandated grant, internship, and scholarship program funded as part of NASA Education. CTSGC was formed in 1991 to encourage broader participation in NASA research programs. It has provided funding and support to YUAA projects including CubeSat (NASA CSLI award) and SPRC.
• Yale School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS)galactic (flagship)Strategic or Co-development PartnerYale SEAS is listed as a Galactic sponsor. The Yale School of Engineering & Applied Science is at the cutting edge of research addressing global societal problems. SEAS provides funding, facilities (student machine shop, Wright Laboratory), and institutional support to YUAA.
• Stony Creek Quarrygalactic (flagship)Strategic or Co-development PartnerStony Creek Quarry is listed as a Galactic sponsor. For over 150 years, Stony Creek Quarry in Branford, Connecticut has served as the authentic source of Stony Creek Granite for notable landmarks including the Statue of Liberty pedestal, The Smithsonian, and Columbia University.
• Yale Science & Engineering Association (YSEA)galactic (flagship)Strategic or Co-development PartnerYSEA is listed as a Galactic sponsor. YSEA is the official Yale alumni shared interest group for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Its mission is to connect alumni with students, the University, and each other to strengthen the Yale science and engineering community. YSEA supports YUAA as part of its mission.
• Sunbury ControlsorbitalTechnology or IntegrationSunbury Controls is listed as an Orbital-level sponsor. Sunbury Controls is a factory trained and authorized distributor of HVAC controls, instrumentation, valves, and regulators. With over 38 years of industry experience, they provide same-day shipping for in-stock items and serve as a product/instrumentation sponsor for YUAA.
• Seco SealsatmosphericTechnology or IntegrationSeco Seals is listed as an Atmospheric-level sponsor. Seco Seals provides sealing solutions for aerospace and engineering applications, supporting YUAA's project material needs.
• US Space Force Space Domain Awareness TAP LabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe USSF Space Domain Awareness TAP Lab is listed as a mentor and partner of the Space Policy Research Center (SPRC), working with YUAA students on space policy research projects.
• US Air Force AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe US Air Force Academy is listed as a mentor and partner of SPRC, collaborating with YUAA on space policy research and analysis.
• Booz Allen HamiltonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBooz Allen Hamilton is listed as a mentor and partner of SPRC, engaging with YUAA students on space policy research and national security applications.
• Hacking for DefenseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHacking for Defense is listed as a past partner of SPRC, collaborating on national security-focused space policy projects.
• NATOminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNATO is listed as a partner of SPRC. YUAA's SPRC team members have met with NATO officials in Brussels, presenting research on space policy and international security.
• European Space Agency (ESA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerESA is listed as a partner of SPRC. YUAA's SPRC team members met with ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano at the 2025 European Space Conference and engaged with ESA's space policy initiatives.
• National Security Innovation Network (NSIN)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNSIN is listed as a partner of SPRC, supporting YUAA's space policy research with national security applications.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• MIT Rocket Team: Student rocketry organization at MIT that designs, builds, and launches high-power rockets for competitions including IREC. Directly comparable to YUAA's Project Rocket and Project Liquid in scope (high-power rocketry, propulsion development) and in competing at the same national competitions (IREC).
• Princeton Engineering Student Aerospace Projects: Ivy-League peer in undergraduate aerospace engineering at Princeton, with student projects in rocketry, satellites, and space-systems courses. Directly comparable to YUAA as another Ivy League institution running a multi-disciplinary aerospace student organization with similar recruiting dynamics.
• Cal Poly PolySat: Long-running undergraduate CubeSat program at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with multiple on-orbit missions. Closest direct peer to YUAA's BLAST CubeSat program in terms of student-driven satellite development and NASA CSLI-aligned workflows.
• Stanford Student Space Initiative (SSI): Undergraduate-led Stanford organization running rockets, satellites, rocketry, and space-policy-adjacent projects with corporate sponsorship. Direct peer on the multidisciplinary aerospace club model, sponsor-backed projects, and inclusion of space-policy work similar to YUAA's SPRC.
• SEDS (Students for the Exploration and Development of Space): International student-run organization with university chapters focused on space and aerospace projects, advocacy, and competitions. SEDS is the most directly comparable peer in mission, structure (volunteer-led student chapters), and recruiting funnel for undergraduate aerospace talent.
• Cornell Rocketry Team: Ivy-League peer student team that designs, builds, and flies high-power rockets for IREC and other intercollegiate competitions. Comparable to YUAA's Project Rocket as a fellow Ivy League / Northeast undergraduate rocketry program competing at the same national events.
• Georgia Tech Space Systems Design Lab (SSDL) Student Teams: Georgia Tech student teams developing small spacecraft and payload systems, often in conjunction with NASA and DoD sponsors. Direct peer in flight hardware development and NASA/university partnership models similar to YUAA's CubeSat and liquid-propulsion work.

Broad incumbents

• AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics): The major professional society for aerospace engineers, with a dedicated student-branch network that supports university chapters, hosts conferences, and connects students with industry. Broad incumbent that overlaps with YUAA on student engagement, conference programming, and industry-recruiting pipelines.

Others

• NSBE Aerospace (National Society of Black Engineers - Aerospace Special Interest Group): Special-interest community within NSBE focused on supporting Black undergraduate students pursuing aerospace careers. Adjacent peer that overlaps with YUAA's STEM-pipeline and corporate-sponsorship model in building diverse aerospace talent pipelines at the undergraduate level.

Regional players

• Purdue University - School of Aeronautics and Astronautics Student Teams: Purdue's aerospace engineering school hosts multiple student-led rocket and spacecraft teams that compete nationally (IREC, NASAUSLI). Comparable in scale and execution to YUAA's Project Rocket and BLAST CubeSat, with a stronger alumni network that creates competitive pressure for top undergraduate talent.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/yaleaerospace

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Yale Undergraduate Aerospace Association (YUAA)