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Space-Edge: The Pre-Accelerator Helping Entrepreneurs Build Space-Enabled Business Strategies
December 12, 2025

Space-Edge: The Pre-Accelerator Helping Entrepreneurs Build Space-Enabled Business Strategies

Space Edge is a 12 week, equity free pre accelerator led by Vanderbilt University in partnership with Arizona State University, University of Central Florida, Rice University, and Space Foundation. The program helps experienced teams use the space economy as a competitive advantage through expert instruction, mentorship, and industry access. The 2025 to 26 cohort focuses on advanced materials and manufacturing in microgravity. Blackwing Space is a current cohort participant.

Blackwing Space and the Rise of a Southern Space Corridor
December 04, 2025

Blackwing Space and the Rise of a Southern Space Corridor

Blackwing Space supports Tennessee’s rise as a nanosatellite manufacturing and innovation hub, collaborating with TN Space and regional partners to expand infrastructure and strengthen the emerging Southern space corridor.

Space 3.0: Why Nanosatellites Are Reshaping the Space Industry
December 01, 2025

Space 3.0: Why Nanosatellites Are Reshaping the Space Industry

How small satellites are democratizing access to orbit and accelerating innovation through rapid iteration, lower costs, and mass-manufacturable platforms.

AI-Designed Satellites: The Race to Automate Nanosatellite Development
November 30, 2025

AI-Designed Satellites: The Race to Automate Nanosatellite Development

Proteus Space launched the world's first AI-designed satellite in just 9 months, proving that artificial intelligence can dramatically compress spacecraft development timelines. This isn't a one-off achievement-it's the beginning of an industry-wide transformation.

Automotive-Grade Components in Space: Why Car Parts Are Going to Orbit
November 28, 2025

Automotive-Grade Components in Space: Why Car Parts Are Going to Orbit

How automotive industry standards are enabling affordable, reliable nanosatellites through proven components, protective engineering, and domestic supply chains.

The $4B Market Nobody's Talking About: Nanosatellites Are Doubling Every 5 Years
November 25, 2025

The $4B Market Nobody's Talking About: Nanosatellites Are Doubling Every 5 Years

Inside the explosive growth of the nanosatellite industry, from $2.2B to $4B in five years, with projections reaching $8-16B by the early 2030s.

How Much Does it Cost to Launch a Satellite in 2025?
November 24, 2025

How Much Does it Cost to Launch a Satellite in 2025?

Complete breakdown of satellite launch costs in 2024, from CubeSats to traditional satellites, including rideshare pricing and cost reduction strategies.

CubeSat vs Traditional Satellite: Which is Right for Your Mission?
November 23, 2025

CubeSat vs Traditional Satellite: Which is Right for Your Mission?

Detailed comparison of CubeSats vs. traditional satellites covering cost, timeline, capabilities, and mission suitability to help you choose the right platform.

Made in USA Satellites: Why American Manufacturing Matters for Space
November 22, 2025

Made in USA Satellites: Why American Manufacturing Matters for Space

Why American-made satellites matter: supply chain security, technology protection, economic benefits, and strategic advantages of domestic space manufacturing.

IoT Satellite Connectivity: Complete Guide for Remote Monitoring
November 21, 2025

IoT Satellite Connectivity: Complete Guide for Remote Monitoring

Complete guide to satellite IoT connectivity: how it works, applications, costs, deployment considerations, and why it's essential for remote monitoring.

PyCubed Flight Heritage: Every Mission That Proved Open Source Belongs in Space
November 19, 2025

PyCubed Flight Heritage: Every Mission That Proved Open Source Belongs in Space

Comprehensive documentation of PyCubed flight heritage from pathfinder missions to proven orbital platform, and how Blackwing ROOK OBC builds on this flight proven foundation with commercial reliability.

What is a CubeSat? A Complete Guide to Nanosatellite Technology
November 12, 2025

What is a CubeSat? A Complete Guide to Nanosatellite Technology

Everything you need to know about CubeSats: definition, capabilities, applications, costs, and why they're revolutionizing space access for everyone.

Buy CubeSat Platforms: Complete Guide to Purchasing Nanosatellites
November 10, 2025

Buy CubeSat Platforms: Complete Guide to Purchasing Nanosatellites

Complete guide to buying CubeSat platforms including pricing, specifications, vendor selection, and purchasing process. Learn how to buy nanosatellites from American manufacturers like Blackwing Space.

Space 3.0 and the Rise of Rapid-Response Satellites
November 08, 2025

Space 3.0 and the Rise of Rapid-Response Satellites

Space 3.0 is driving the need for satellites that can be built and deployed in months instead of years. Blackwing Space delivers US-made nanosatellite platforms designed for rapid launch timelines.

University CubeSat Projects: Complete Guide for Student Teams
November 03, 2025

University CubeSat Projects: Complete Guide for Student Teams

Complete guide for university CubeSat projects covering funding, platform selection, team building, timelines, regulations, and launch opportunities. Essential reading for student teams starting satellite missions.

CubeSat Manufacturers Comparison: Complete Guide to Nanosatellite Providers
November 02, 2025

CubeSat Manufacturers Comparison: Complete Guide to Nanosatellite Providers

Comprehensive comparison of leading CubeSat manufacturers including Blackwing Space, Endurosat, NanoAvionics, Spire, Blue Canyon, Pumpkin, OrbAstro, and NearSpace Launch with pricing, capabilities, and selection guidance.

Blackwing Space: Bringing Space 3.0 to Life
November 01, 2025

Blackwing Space: Bringing Space 3.0 to Life

Blackwing Space builds small, smart, affordable nanosatellites in Nashville, enabling startups, universities, and researchers with modular products, transparent pricing, and U.S. manufacturing to expand access and strengthen American leadership in space.

FCC-as-a-Service: Blackwing Space's Regulatory Navigation Platform
November 01, 2025

FCC-as-a-Service: Blackwing Space's Regulatory Navigation Platform

Blackwing Space delivers FCC-as-a-Service to simplify CubeSat licensing with pre-vetted bands, standardized radios, and regulatory intelligence, enabling predictable approvals, reducing delays, and accelerating missions with integrated ground-station support.

Directory of Open Source Cubesat and Nanosatellite Projects
October 23, 2025

Directory of Open Source Cubesat and Nanosatellite Projects

Explore key open-source CubeSat resources for satellite development. This guide features complete platforms like PyCubed and FOSSASAT, communication systems such as OpenLST, and essential subsystems including open-source OBCs and deployment mechanisms.

OpenLST: Battle-Tested Space Communications for Everyone
October 22, 2025

OpenLST: Battle-Tested Space Communications for Everyone

OpenLST is an open-source satellite radio with proven Planet Labs heritage, low cost, and reliable communications for CubeSats and balloons—supporting NewSpace goals with accessible specs, licensing guidance, and real-world applications.

Don't Build Your Own CubeSat: Why Early-Stage Space Startups Should Focus on Payloads
October 20, 2025

Don't Build Your Own CubeSat: Why Early-Stage Space Startups Should Focus on Payloads

A guide for early-stage space startups explaining why they should avoid building their own CubeSat and instead use Blackwing Space for faster payload-focused missions.

How TN Space is Building Tennessee's Space Economy
October 19, 2025

How TN Space is Building Tennessee's Space Economy

TN Space drives Tennessee’s space economy by connecting industry, government, and academia, strengthening workforce talent, and supporting companies like Blackwing Space to build a coordinated deep-tech hub for future exploration.

YC and Techstars Space Founders: Stop Building Spacecraft Buses
October 18, 2025

YC and Techstars Space Founders: Stop Building Spacecraft Buses

Why Y Combinator and Techstars space founders should stop building spacecraft buses and focus on payload innovation. Analysis of startup economics, timing, and risk that make commercial platforms the right choice for accelerator backed companies.

Ground Stations for CubeSats: Build It or Buy Access to a Managed Network
October 17, 2025

Ground Stations for CubeSats: Build It or Buy Access to a Managed Network

Comparison of building vs buying ground station access for CubeSat missions and why managed networks such as Blackwing Space Ground Station as a Service improve reliability and data yield.

Building a Global Satellite Customer Base: Alba Orbital
October 16, 2025

Building a Global Satellite Customer Base: Alba Orbital

Alba Orbital makes space affordable for universities, startups, and agencies worldwide, proving that lowering barriers expands markets. Their complete mission solutions, tech demonstrations, and educational partnerships drive strong adoption and sustained growth.

Where to Buy PyCubed: Commercial Availability, Pricing, and the Future of Open Source Satellite Computing
October 15, 2025

Where to Buy PyCubed: Commercial Availability, Pricing, and the Future of Open Source Satellite Computing

PyCubed leads open-source CubeSat OBCs, but buying one isn’t simple. This guide explains mission adoption, DIY manufacturing challenges, pricing, availability, and how companies like Blackwing Space now offer supported, flight-ready boards.

CircuitPython for Satellites: A Complete Programming Guide for PyCubed
October 14, 2025

CircuitPython for Satellites: A Complete Programming Guide for PyCubed

Learn CircuitPython for CubeSat development: key differences from Python, embedded programming basics, PyCubed libraries, hardware interfacing, and real mission examples—giving newcomers essential skills to build flight software for nanosatellites.

ITAR and EAR for Satellite Builders
October 13, 2025

ITAR and EAR for Satellite Builders

ITAR and EAR govern satellite exports. ITAR classifies spacecraft as defense articles with strict State Department controls, while EAR covers dual-use technologies under Commerce—shaping partners, markets, and business decisions.

CubeSats and AS9100: Building Quality Into the New Space Economy
October 12, 2025

CubeSats and AS9100: Building Quality Into the New Space Economy

AS9100 adds aerospace-grade quality and traceability. It enables government and prime partnerships but increases cost. Blackwing Space aligns processes and uses automotive-grade components to deliver reliable commercial satellites without sacrificing speed or affordability.

TinyGS: An Open Ground Station Network for CubeSat Communications
October 11, 2025

TinyGS: An Open Ground Station Network for CubeSat Communications

TinyGS is a global, low-cost LoRa ground station network enabling CubeSat teams to downlink telemetry through volunteer nodes. It supports PyCubed-based satellites, automates tracking, and democratizes early mission communications.

Radiation Shielding Strategies and Options in Nanosatellite Design
October 10, 2025

Radiation Shielding Strategies and Options in Nanosatellite Design

Space radiation endangers nanosatellites. Blackwing Space combines aluminum structures with advanced composite shielding from partners like Melagen Labs and Cosmic Shielding, enabling modular protection levels tailored to mission environments and component requirements.

PEEK in CubeSat Design: When High-Performance Polymers Beat Aluminum
October 09, 2025

PEEK in CubeSat Design: When High-Performance Polymers Beat Aluminum

PEEK offers thermal isolation, self-lubrication, and system-level benefits where aluminum falls short. Blackwing Space uses PEEK selectively in nanosatellite platforms to optimize thermal management, reduce mass, and enhance reliability without sacrificing affordability.

Cubesat: Turnkey vs. Kit Options
October 08, 2025

Cubesat: Turnkey vs. Kit Options

Choosing turnkey or kit satellites drives cost, schedule, risk, and mission success. Turnkey platforms provide speed, support, and reliability; kits favor learning and custom R&D. Blackwing Space delivers turnkey nanosatellites.

Launch Integrators and Service Providers
October 07, 2025

Launch Integrators and Service Providers

Rideshare launches created an ecosystem of integrators who aggregate capacity, manage regulation, and deploy satellites. Exolaunch and U.S. peers lead; Blackwing Space partners with integrators to provide access to orbit.

A Need for Open Standards in Nanosatellite Development
October 06, 2025

A Need for Open Standards in Nanosatellite Development

The nanosatellite sector needs true modular standards. PC/104 pinout variability blocks interoperability. Blackwing Space advances open-source PyCubed foundations and pushes unified interfaces to cut costs, speed development, and scale space access.

PyCubed: The Open Source OBC That Changed University Space Programs
September 02, 2025

PyCubed: The Open Source OBC That Changed University Space Programs

Why PyCubed became the most influential open source CubeSat flight computer, why you cannot actually buy it, and how Blackwing ROOK OBC brings PyCubed benefits to a commercial platform with support and testing.

Where Are All the CubeSat Manufacturers? Consolidation, Costs, and the Case for American Innovation
August 31, 2025

Where Are All the CubeSat Manufacturers? Consolidation, Costs, and the Case for American Innovation

How industry consolidation by defense contractors and European dominance created a widening gap in affordable U.S. CubeSat access, and why a new generation of American manufacturers is emerging to restore the original democratization vision.

High School CubeSat Programs: How Secondary Schools Can Launch Their First Satellite
August 30, 2025

High School CubeSat Programs: How Secondary Schools Can Launch Their First Satellite

Practical guide for high school and secondary school teams planning their first CubeSat program, from early mission concept through platform selection, licensing, timeline, and operations.

CubeSat Mission Ideas for Student Teams: 25 Concepts for Universities and High Schools
August 29, 2025

CubeSat Mission Ideas for Student Teams: 25 Concepts for Universities and High Schools

25 CubeSat mission concepts for university and high school STEM teams, spanning science, technology, communications, and outreach with guidance for practical implementation.

CubeSat Requirements Checklist: From First Concept to Launch-Ready Satellite
August 28, 2025

CubeSat Requirements Checklist: From First Concept to Launch-Ready Satellite

Structured CubeSat requirements checklist for student and research teams, covering mission, payload, platform, licensing, ground segment, testing, and schedule from concept to launch readiness.

How to Choose a CubeSat Bus for Your University or College Satellite Project
August 27, 2025

How to Choose a CubeSat Bus for Your University or College Satellite Project

Guide for universities and colleges on how to choose the right CubeSat bus, with a focus on mission fit, power, computing, pointing, communications, documentation, and the advantages of commercial platforms such as Blackwing Space.

ITAR and EAR for Educational CubeSat Projects: What Students and Faculty Need to Know
August 26, 2025

ITAR and EAR for Educational CubeSat Projects: What Students and Faculty Need to Know

Guide to ITAR and EAR compliance for university CubeSat programs and why U.S. made platforms such as Blackwing Space simplify mission planning and export control risk.

How to Use PyCubed as the Core of Your CubeSat Project
August 26, 2025

How to Use PyCubed as the Core of Your CubeSat Project

A practical workflow for using PyCubed in CubeSat missions with a seamless upgrade path to the Blackwing Space Rook OBC.

CubeSat Grants and Funding for Universities: NASA, NSF, and Beyond
August 25, 2025

CubeSat Grants and Funding for Universities: NASA, NSF, and Beyond

Navigate the landscape of CubeSat funding opportunities for universities including NASA CSLI, NSF grants, AFRL programs, and alternative funding sources with application strategies and timelines.

FCC Licensing and Frequency Coordination for CubeSats: A Student-Friendly Guide
August 24, 2025

FCC Licensing and Frequency Coordination for CubeSats: A Student-Friendly Guide

Student friendly guide for FCC licensing and frequency coordination for CubeSats, including how Blackwing Space delivers licensing and ground station services to simplify university missions.

Top 5 Federal Grants and Funding Opportunities for Student CubeSat Projects
August 23, 2025

Top 5 Federal Grants and Funding Opportunities for Student CubeSat Projects

A comprehensive breakdown of the top five federal grants and funding opportunities from NASA, NSF, and the DoD that university and high school teams can leverage to finance their nanosatellite projects.

Open-Source Tools for CubeSat Development: Software, Simulators, and Design Resources
August 22, 2025

Open-Source Tools for CubeSat Development: Software, Simulators, and Design Resources

Guide to the top open-source CubeSat development tools, including how Blackwing Space supports PyCubed based systems and open standards.

Top 10 CubeSat Mistakes Student Teams Make and How to Avoid Them
August 21, 2025

Top 10 CubeSat Mistakes Student Teams Make and How to Avoid Them

Top 10 CubeSat mistakes student teams make and how universities can prevent them with early planning and support from commercial platforms such as Blackwing Space.

CubeSats in the Classroom: Using Nanosatellites to Teach STEM, Systems Engineering, and Mission Design
August 20, 2025

CubeSats in the Classroom: Using Nanosatellites to Teach STEM, Systems Engineering, and Mission Design

How CubeSats are being used in classrooms to teach real mission design, with US based platforms and support from Blackwing Space.

How to Evaluate CubeSat OBCs: A Buyers Guide for Universities
August 20, 2025

How to Evaluate CubeSat OBCs: A Buyers Guide for Universities

Key criteria and tradeoffs universities should use when selecting CubeSat onboard computers, with examples and context for academic programs.

Why PyCubed Is Powering the Next Generation of University CubeSats
August 19, 2025

Why PyCubed Is Powering the Next Generation of University CubeSats

A detailed look at PyCubed hardware and why Blackwing Space is building a next generation PyCubed compatible OBC for university CubeSat programs.

Why CubeSats Are the Most Exciting Thing You Can Build as a Student
August 18, 2025

Why CubeSats Are the Most Exciting Thing You Can Build as a Student

Over 400 student-built CubeSats have reached orbit since 2003. Here are the most inspiring university and high-school projects - proof that anyone can build a real spacecraft today.

From Hobbyist to Orbit: The Best Open-Source OBCs for Student CubeSats
August 17, 2025

From Hobbyist to Orbit: The Best Open-Source OBCs for Student CubeSats

A guide to popular open-source On-Board Computers (OBCs) for educational nanosatellite missions, highlighting the role of PyCubed and how it inspired the robust, inexpensive Blackwing ROOK OBC.

PyCubed: Empowering the Next Generation of CubeSats with Open-Source Innovation
August 16, 2025

PyCubed: Empowering the Next Generation of CubeSats with Open-Source Innovation

PyCubed is an open-source, flight-proven CubeSat avionics board programmable in CircuitPython. Born at Stanford and CMU, it enables accessible missions and inspires commercial advancements like Blackwing Space’s Rook OBC.

PyCubed: How Python and Open Source are Launching the Next Generation of CubeSats
December 06, 2024

PyCubed: How Python and Open Source are Launching the Next Generation of CubeSats

PyCubed reduces CubeSat failure risk with an open-source, Python-programmable board integrating power, computing, comms, and ADCS. Radiation-tolerant and flight-proven, it enables universities and startups to build reliable missions faster.

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