About
Nanoracks — operating under Voyager Technologies — is a global leader in space infrastructure and national security solutions. The company provides end-to-end capabilities from ground-based support to on-orbit operations, enabling missions across low-Earth orbit, geostationary orbit, and cislunar space. Their flagship hardware, the Bishop Airlock aboard the ISS, serves as critical infrastructure for hosted payloads, robotic research, and small satellite deployment. On the defense side, Voyager/Nanoracks develops controllable solid propulsion systems, rad-hardened laser and RF communications, electro-optical systems, signals intelligence (SIGINT/ISR) software, and guidance, navigation, and control technologies. Their commercial research division is among the leading providers of microgravity research access in LEO, offering both standardized plug-and-play payload platforms and fully custom research systems. The company also runs STEM programs such as DreamUp and HUNCH to engage the next generation of space professionals. Starlab, their flagship commercial space station initiative, aims to replace the ISS as the hub for microgravity innovation. Nanoracks/Voyager serves defense agencies, scientific institutions, commercial enterprises, and educational organizations seeking to leverage space for research, development, and national security.
Key Features
- Bishop Airlock: Operates the first commercial airlock on the ISS, enabling hosted payloads, satellite deployment, and robotic research in microgravity.
- Microgravity Research & Payload Services: Leading provider of commercial LEO research access with standardized plug-and-play hardware or fully custom research platforms built to mission requirements.
- Defense & Signals Intelligence: Offers space-to-Earth and space-to-space ISR visualization software alongside communications and guidance technologies for national security missions.
- Satellite & Mission Launch Services: End-to-end satellite launch and mission management services supporting LEO, GEO, and cislunar orbits with a heritage failure-free track record since 2006.
- Starlab Commercial Space Station: Developing Starlab, a next-generation commercial space destination designed to sustain the emerging space economy beyond the ISS era.
Use Cases
- Conducting microgravity research experiments aboard the ISS using plug-and-play payload hardware or custom-built research platforms.
- Deploying small satellites and CubeSats from the Bishop Airlock into low-Earth orbit.
- Supporting national security missions with signals intelligence software and space-to-Earth ISR visualization capabilities.
- Developing and testing advanced propulsion, communications, and navigation technologies for defense and commercial spacecraft.
- Engaging students in hands-on space research and STEM education through programs like DreamUp and HUNCH.
Pros
- Proven On-Orbit Heritage: Cumulative failure-free track record in spacecraft technologies since 2006, covering LEO, GEO, and cislunar missions.
- Comprehensive Space-to-Ground Capabilities: Covers the full mission lifecycle — from STEM education and ground support to on-orbit operations, research, and defense applications.
- Leading Commercial Research Access: As a top provider of microgravity research opportunities, they offer flexible options for both independent researchers and large institutional clients.
Cons
- Not a Self-Serve Platform: Services require direct engagement and custom contracting, making it inaccessible to individuals or small teams without institutional backing.
- High Cost Barrier: Space infrastructure and defense solutions are priced for government agencies and large commercial clients, excluding smaller organizations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bishop Airlock?
The Bishop Airlock is the first commercial airlock installed on the International Space Station. It facilitates the transfer of cargo, payloads, and small satellites between the pressurized station interior and the vacuum of space.
What is Starlab?
Starlab is Nanoracks/Voyager's commercial space station in development, intended to serve as the next hub for microgravity research, technology development, and commercial space operations after the ISS.
What kinds of research can be conducted through Nanoracks?
Nanoracks supports a wide range of microgravity research including life sciences, materials science, fluid physics, plant biology, and technology demonstrations in low-Earth orbit aboard the ISS.
Does Nanoracks serve commercial customers or only government agencies?
Nanoracks serves both government and commercial customers, including research institutions, universities, startups, and large defense contractors, in addition to NASA and other space agencies.
What defense technologies does Voyager/Nanoracks provide?
Voyager provides controllable solid propulsion for hypersonic and subsonic systems, rad-hardened communications hardware, SIGINT/ISR software, star trackers, electro-optical systems, and guidance, navigation, and control technologies.
