Aurelia Institute
Aurelia Institute is a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based nonprofit founded in 2021 that develops TESSERAE self-assembling space architecture and runs microgravity flight, education, and policy programs, serving space researchers, students, biotech developers, and philanthropic donors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersCambridge, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Aurelia Institute does
Aurelia Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit space architecture research and development organization founded in 2021 by Ariel Ekblaw, PhD, and headquartered in Central Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts. It originated as a spinout from the MIT Space Exploration Initiative and operates as an integrated R&D lab, education center, and policy hub. The organization's core technology is TESSERAE (Tessellated Electromagnetic Space Structures for the Exploration of Reconfigurable, Adaptive Environments), a self-assembling space architecture platform consisting of flat-packed robotic tiles that autonomously dock in orbit using electro-permanent magnets. TESSERAE has been iterated through five generations and demonstrated on the ISS via the Axiom-1 mission in April 2022, with a 32-tile Gen-5 demonstration scheduled for 2026.
The Institute's product portfolio includes the TESSERAE platform, the TESSERAE Orbital Biolab (an orbital biotechnology research station), the TESSERAE Exhibition Pavilion (a full-scale Earth mockup exhibited at the Seattle Museum of Flight), and Space Garden (an autonomous orbital greenhouse concept developed with Heatherwick Studio and Daikin). Education and outreach programs include the Horizon Zero Gravity parabolic flight program (which flew 48 participants and 24 projects in 2024), Aurelia Academy courses, the Aurelia Prize in Design for Space Urbanism, and the annual Beyond the Cradle conference co-hosted with MIT SEI. The Institute also operates a Space Policy program and a Space Architecture Trade Study.
Aurelia generates revenue through tax-deductible donations (via Every.org), educational program fees, and technology licensing. It functions as an incubator through its sister entity Aurelia Foundry, a separate legal deep-tech VC fund that has invested in 18 early-stage space startups and led the $3M Rendezvous Robotics pre-seed and $7M LambdaVision seed rounds. Strategic partners include Axiom Space, Boryung, Heatherwick Studio, Daikin, New York Academy of Sciences, MIT SEI, and Autodesk Technology Center. The organization is led by co-founder and CEO Ariel Ekblaw with a small (1-10 person) interdisciplinary team and an advisory council chaired by Reid Hoffman.
Aurelia Institute firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Aurelia Institute
- Legal name
- Aurelia Institute
- Website
- https://aureliainstitute.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Aurelia Institute is a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based nonprofit founded in 2021 that develops TESSERAE self-assembling space architecture and runs microgravity flight, education, and policy programs, serving space researchers, students, biotech developers, and philanthropic donors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Aurelia Institute industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Space Architecture R&D
- NAICS
- Space Research and Technology (9271)
- SIC
- Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Space Structures, Mechanisms & Thermal Control (IMABACAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Space Logistics & In-Orbit Servicing (Refueling, Tug, Debris Removal) (IMABACAM), Spacecraft Avionics, Flight Computers & Software (IMABACAI), Space & Astronomy Programs (EDAMABAE)
Keywords
Where Aurelia Institute is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cambridge
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Aurelia Institute business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Donations and Philanthropy: As a nonprofit organization, Aurelia Institute relies heavily on donations from individuals and organizations supporting space infrastructure for the public good. Donations can be made through Every.org platform.
- Educational Programs and Courses: Revenue generated from Aurelia Academy courses including the Microgravity Project Design course and Horizon Zero Gravity Flight Program participation fees.
- Technology Licensing and Spinouts: Revenue potential through licensing of TESSERAE technology and spinout companies like Rendezvous Robotics. Rendezvous Robotics raised $3M pre-seed with Aurelia Foundry investment.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | One time | Aurelia Prize - Global Design Competition |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Aurelia Institute product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Aurelia Institute is a nonprofit space architecture R&D organization that develops TESSERAE, a self-assembling modular tile technology for constructing orbital habitats. The organization operates an education and outreach arm (Aurelia Academy and Horizon Zero Gravity Program) offering microgravity flight experiences and courses, and a policy research arm addressing space governance and AI/space technology questions.
Product overview
Aurelia Institute is a nonprofit space architecture R&D organization offering a portfolio of interconnected products and programs. The core technology is TESSERAE, a self-assembling modular space architecture system that includes specialized variants such as the Orbital Biolab (biotech research facility) and Exhibition Pavilion (Earth-bound mockup). Supporting infrastructure includes Space Garden (autonomous greenhouse), Horizon Zero Gravity Program (flight experiences), and Aurelia Academy Courses (educational offerings). The organization also operates Aurelia Foundry (venture capital fund) and manages programs including the Aurelia Prize (design competition), Beyond the Cradle (conference), Space Architecture Trade Study (research), and Space Policy (governance research). Spinouts like Rendezvous Robotics commercialize TESSERAE technology.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Aurelia Foundry: Deep tech venture capital fund and incubator program empowering founders at the nexus of space, AI, and climate. Separate legal entity from Aurelia Institute.
- Aurelia Academy
- TESSERAE
Products and services
- TESSERAE Self-Assembling Space Architecture Modular robotic tiles that pack flat for launch and autonomously dock in orbit using electro-permanent magnets to form larger space habitats and structures. For space agencies, commercial space companies, and defense organizations building orbital infrastructure.
- TESSERAE Orbital Biolab A TESSERAE-based orbital research laboratory focused on biologic medicines, protein crystallization for drug development, and tissue engineering including artificial retinas. Targeted at biotech and pharmaceutical companies and research institutions seeking microgravity research facilities.
- Horizon Zero Gravity Flight Program Parabolic flight program providing microgravity research access for researchers, students, artists, and storytellers. Includes the Microgravity Project Design course and flight mission integration. Participants pay program fees; Aurelia flew 48 people and 24 projects across two Horizon 2024 flights.
- Aurelia Academy Courses Educational courses including Microgravity Project Design and space architecture training to prepare the next generation of spacefarers. Offered to students, early-career professionals, and career changers seeking entry into the space industry.
Quantifiable outcome
- TESSERAE Gen-5 with 32 tiles heading to ISS in 2026 for autonomous assembly demonstration
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Aurelia Institute
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Aurelia Institute technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Aurelia Institute partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- MIT Space Exploration InitiativecoreAurelia Institute originated as spinout from MIT SEI. Organizations co-host Beyond the Cradle conference annually at MIT Media Lab.
- Daikin IndustriesminorPartnering with Daikin, a leader in energy-efficient HVAC technologies, to advance Space Garden technology roadmap including air quality and water management approaches for Earth and orbit.
- New York Academy of SciencescorePartnership to host a world-renowned scientific steering committee to inform and govern Orbital Biolab operations in orbit.
- Heatherwick StudiocoreCollaboration on Space Garden project, unveiled at 2025 Biennale Architettura in Venice, exploring autonomous horticulture in space. Space Garden mockup now being rebuilt at Heatherwick Studio in London.
- Autodesk Technology CentercoreAurelia Institute is a resident of the Outsight Network at Autodesk Technology Center Boston, providing access to fabrication equipment and design technology for developing prototypes for human-scale space habitats.
- BoryungcoreSouth Korean healthcare investment company partnered on Humans In Space global initiative alongside Axiom Space and Aurelia Institute. Aurelia leads the 'Lifestyle' theme exploring solutions for human life in space.
- Axiom SpacecorePartner on Humans In Space initiative. Rendezvous Robotics is managing upcoming TESSERAE mission through Axiom Space via ISS National Lab grant. Axiom has hosted TESSERAE technology demonstrations on Ax-1 mission.
- StarcloudminorRendezvous Robotics partnership with Starcloud to explore building orbital data centers.
- Space Generation Advisory CouncilminorPartner organization helping distribute Horizon flight opportunities to emerging space professionals.
- National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)minorNSBE Aerospace SIG partnered on Horizon flights to support underrepresented groups in aerospace.
- Brooke Owens FellowshipminorFellowship program selecting participants for Aurelia's Horizon zero gravity flights.
- Patti Grace Smith FellowshipminorFellowship program selecting participants for Aurelia's Horizon zero gravity flights.
- Zed Factor FellowshipminorFellowship program selecting participants for Aurelia's Horizon zero gravity flights.
- AstroAccessminorOrganization focused on disability inclusion in space, partnering on Horizon flights with deaf and blind participants.
- Matthew Isakowitz FellowshipminorFellowship program selecting participants for Aurelia's Horizon zero gravity flights.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Aurelia Institute competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Honeybee Robotics: Designs and builds space mechanisms, robotic tools, and in-situ resource utilization systems for NASA and commercial missions. Directly comparable robotic-system heritage in the orbital-mechanisms niche TESSERAE targets.
- Orbit Fab: Building in-orbit refueling and servicing infrastructure - shared 'in-orbit service economy' thesis with TESSERAE, where modular, autonomous orbital assets enable durable commercial activity.
- Tethers Unlimited (Momentus): Developed in-space assembly and propulsion technologies, including modular construction concepts. Closely aligned to TESSERAE on the in-orbit assembly and satellite-servicing thesis.
- Redwire Space: Acquired Made In Space and operates in-space manufacturing, robotic assembly, and deployable structures for orbital infrastructure. Most direct technical peer to TESSERAE in autonomous on-orbit construction and space manufacturing.
Others
- The Planetary Society: Nonprofit space advocacy, education, and policy organization. Shares Aurelia's nonprofit structure, education mission, and space-policy thought leadership, but does not develop hardware directly.
Broad incumbents
- Axiom Space: Building commercial LEO destination modules and hosted the prior TESSERAE demos on ISS via Ax-1. Strategic customer/partner and the most relevant commercial-station comparable for Aurelia's habitat ambitions.
- Maxar Technologies: Major satellite and spacecraft prime with deep heritage in space structures, robotics for satellite servicing, and large-scale manufacturing relevant to autonomous orbital construction.
- Northrop Grumman: Manufactures spacecraft structures, satellite buses, and in-space servicing vehicles (Mission Extension Vehicle). Operates broadly across space hardware markets overlapping Aurelia's habitat/structures niche.
Regional players
- D-Orbit: Italian in-orbit transportation, servicing, and deployment company with comparable autonomous-maneuvering and on-orbit assembly heritage, primarily serving European and global commercial satellite operators.
Emerging players
- Vast Space: Developing commercial space stations (Haven-1, Haven-2) targeting post-ISS demand. Competes for the same next-generation orbital habitat opportunity that TESSERAE self-assembling tiles are designed to serve.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Aurelia Institute social profiles
Digital presenceAurelia Institute financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Aurelia Institute leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Aurelia Institute subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Aurelia Institute funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Aurelia Institute M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Aurelia Institute
What does Aurelia Institute do?
Aurelia Institute is a nonprofit space architecture R&D organization that develops TESSERAE, a self-assembling modular tile technology for constructing orbital habitats. The organization operates an education and outreach arm (Aurelia Academy and Horizon Zero Gravity Program) offering microgravity flight experiences and courses, and a policy research arm addressing space governance and AI/space technology questions.
Is Aurelia Institute a public or private company?
Aurelia Institute is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Aurelia Institute founded?
Aurelia Institute was founded in 2021. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Aurelia Institute based?
Aurelia Institute is headquartered in Cambridge, United States, in the North America region.
How does Aurelia Institute make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Philanthropy is the primary driver. The others are educational Programs and Courses and technology Licensing and Spinouts.
Who are Aurelia Institute's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Honeybee Robotics, Orbit Fab, Tethers Unlimited (Momentus) and Redwire Space. The Planetary Society is listed as an others. Broad incumbents are Axiom Space, Maxar Technologies and Northrop Grumman. D-Orbit is listed as a regional player. Vast Space is listed as an emerging player.
Does Aurelia Institute have an API?
No public API is recorded for Aurelia Institute.
What industry is Aurelia Institute in?
Aurelia Institute's product category is Space Architecture R&D. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABACAF, Space Structures, Mechanisms & Thermal Control, with a secondary code of IMABACAM, Space Logistics & In-Orbit Servicing (Refueling, Tug, Debris Removal). Its NAICS code is 9271 and its SIC code is 3760.