ISS National Lab launches Orbital Edge Accelerator programme | Electronics News: Latest Industry Trends & Component Updates

Backers of the initiative include the space and environmental VCs CIRI Ventures, E2MC, and Stellar Ventures. TechConnect and AWS are also involved in managing the selected startups.

Basically, the lab says it is looking for “the next wave of innovators that will shape the future space economy”.

Orbital Edge Accelerator

Through the accelerator, six startups will receive an investment of up to $500,000. There will also be mentorship and the opportunity to launch an ISS National Lab-sponsored investigation.

The ISS National Lab says the Orbital Edge Accelerator program aims “to unlock discoveries that can benefit humanity and drive new commercial opportunities in low Earth orbit”.

It writes:

“In the coming months, representatives from the ISS National Lab, CIRI, E2MC, Stellar Ventures, and TechConnect will meet with interested startups at conferences and networking sessions to highlight the accelerator and discuss how space-based R&D can lead to innovation not possible on Earth.”

The application deadline is 8:00 p.m. EDT on 19 May 2025. You can find out more information on the Orbital Edge Accelerator dedicated website.

The Lab highlights that startups awarded flight project status have cumulatively raised nearly $2.4 billion in funding post flight. This, it says, demonstrates the value of space-based R&D in accelerating commercialisation.

International Space Station

The ISS was designated as a U.S. National Laboratory in 2005 by Congress – it’s responsible for managing all non-NASA research, officially enabling space research and development access to commercial, academic, and government users.

The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) manages the ISS National Lab itself under a Cooperative Agreement with NASA.

Image: Nasa – astronaut Megan McArthur at work on the ISS

See also: ISS National Laboratory boosts in-space production projects