Blackwing Space Announces Commercial Payload Agreement with Manifest Space
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Blackwing Space Announces Commercial Payload Agreement with Manifest Space
Nashville, TN - March 19, 2026 - Blackwing Space, Inc., today announced it has entered into a commercial agreement with Manifest Space to fly a payload aboard Blackwing's Sparrow 1U nanosatellite platform.
Under the agreement, Manifest Space will deploy an optical beacon payload designed to support spacecraft identification and space traffic coordination. The payload will fly as part of Blackwing's "Baby Bird" demonstration mission, currently targeted for SpaceX's Transporter-18 rideshare launch in Q4 2026.
Manifest Space is developing infrastructure designed to provide spacecraft with persistent identity and visibility throughout their operational lifecycle. By enabling satellites to be more easily identified and tracked in orbit, these systems aim to support improved coordination among operators and contribute to safer, more reliable operations as activity in Low Earth Orbit continues to expand.
The collaboration reflects a broader shift toward more interoperable, commercially driven infrastructure in space, where satellites are not only deployed but also actively participate in a more connected, coordinated orbital environment.
"As the number of spacecraft in orbit continues to increase, identification and coordination become critical," said Nick Orenstein, Co-founder and CEO of Manifest Space. "We're building systems that allow satellites to be recognized and understood in real time, and working with Blackwing gives us a path to demonstrate that capability on orbit quickly and affordably."
Blackwing Space is focused on making access to orbit more practical, repeatable, and developer-friendly through modular platforms and standardized interfaces that reduce the complexity of launching payloads.
"This is what Space 3.0 looks like: commercial missions and systems designed to operate as part of a broader orbital environment," said Oliver Muoto, Co-founder and COO of Blackwing Space. "Manifest is building something the ecosystem will rely on, and we're proud to support getting it on orbit."
As the orbital environment becomes more active, infrastructure that supports identification, coordination, and shared awareness is increasingly important for enabling sustainable growth and long-term operations in space.
About Blackwing Space
Blackwing Space builds commercial, American-made nanosatellites that lower the cost and complexity of accessing space. Blackwing Space's affordable, modular platforms accelerate ideas to orbit for commercial, research, and educational missions, supporting a wide range of operational and technology-driven use cases, including Earth observation, communications, edge computing, technology demonstration, and other space-enabled applications in the Space 3.0 economy.
About Manifest Space
Manifest Space is building core infrastructure for space traffic coordination. The company develops onboard systems that provide spacecraft with persistent identity, visibility, and position, enabling improved tracking, coordination, and operational awareness across all phases of flight. Founded by alumni of SpaceX and NASA, Manifest is working toward a global, real-time manifest of active spacecraft to support safer, more efficient operations in orbit.
Media Contact:
Oliver Muoto
Blackwing Space
650-787-5567
press@blackwingspace.com
Carmen Hughes
Ignite X
650-576-6444
carmen@ignitepr.com
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