Investing in space infrastructure and startups in Tennessee
+ connecting regonial networks accross the Space economy
+ helping enable a connected Space 3.0 ecosystem
Blackwing Space - Latest Insights
-
Space-Edge: The Pre-Accelerator Helping Entrepreneurs Build Space-Enabled Business StrategiesDec 12, 2025Space 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. Th...
-
Blackwing Space and the Rise of a Southern Space CorridorDec 4, 2025Blackwing 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 ...
-
Space 3.0: Why Nanosatellites Are Reshaping the Space IndustryDec 1, 2025How 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 DevelopmentNov 30, 2025Proteus 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 a...
-
Automotive-Grade Components in Space: Why Car Parts Are Going to OrbitNov 28, 2025How 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 YearsNov 25, 2025Inside 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?Nov 24, 2025Complete 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?Nov 23, 2025Detailed 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 SpaceNov 22, 2025Why 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 MonitoringNov 21, 2025Complete 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 SpaceNov 19, 2025Comprehensive 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 reliabili...
-
What is a CubeSat? A Complete Guide to Nanosatellite TechnologyNov 12, 2025Everything 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 NanosatellitesNov 10, 2025Complete 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 SatellitesNov 8, 2025Space 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 TeamsNov 3, 2025Complete guide for university CubeSat projects covering funding, platform selection, team building, timelines, regulations, and launch opportunities. Essential reading for student teams starting satel...
-
CubeSat Manufacturers Comparison: Complete Guide to Nanosatellite ProvidersNov 2, 2025Comprehensive comparison of leading CubeSat manufacturers including Blackwing Space, Endurosat, NanoAvionics, Spire, Blue Canyon, Pumpkin, OrbAstro, and NearSpace Launch with pricing, capabilities, an...
-
Blackwing Space: Bringing Space 3.0 to LifeNov 1, 2025Blackwing Space builds small, smart, affordable nanosatellites in Nashville, enabling startups, universities, and researchers with modular products, transparent pricing, and U.S. manufacturing to expa...
-
FCC-as-a-Service: Blackwing Space's Regulatory Navigation PlatformNov 1, 2025Blackwing 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 ac...
-
Directory of Open Source Cubesat and Nanosatellite ProjectsOct 23, 2025Explore 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 i...
-
OpenLST: Battle-Tested Space Communications for EveryoneOct 22, 2025OpenLST 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...
-
Don't Build Your Own CubeSat: Why Early-Stage Space Startups Should Focus on PayloadsOct 20, 2025A 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 EconomyOct 19, 2025TN 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-...
-
YC and Techstars Space Founders: Stop Building Spacecraft BusesOct 18, 2025Why 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 ...
-
Ground Stations for CubeSats: Build It or Buy Access to a Managed NetworkOct 17, 2025Comparison 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 OrbitalOct 16, 2025Alba Orbital makes space affordable for universities, startups, and agencies worldwide, proving that lowering barriers expands markets. Their complete mission solutions, tech demonstrations, and educa...
-
Where to Buy PyCubed: Commercial Availability, Pricing, and the Future of Open Source Satellite ComputingOct 15, 2025PyCubed 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...
-
CircuitPython for Satellites: A Complete Programming Guide for PyCubedOct 14, 2025Learn CircuitPython for CubeSat development: key differences from Python, embedded programming basics, PyCubed libraries, hardware interfacing, and real mission examples—giving newcomers essential s...
-
ITAR and EAR for Satellite BuildersOct 13, 2025ITAR 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, m...
-
CubeSats and AS9100: Building Quality Into the New Space EconomyOct 12, 2025AS9100 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 ...
-
TinyGS: An Open Ground Station Network for CubeSat CommunicationsOct 11, 2025TinyGS 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 democratize...
-
Radiation Shielding Strategies and Options in Nanosatellite DesignOct 10, 2025Space radiation endangers nanosatellites. Blackwing Space combines aluminum structures with advanced composite shielding from partners like Melagen Labs and Cosmic Shielding, enabling modular protecti...
-
PEEK in CubeSat Design: When High-Performance Polymers Beat AluminumOct 9, 2025PEEK 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, ...
-
Cubesat: Turnkey vs. Kit OptionsOct 8, 2025Choosing 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 deli...
-
Launch Integrators and Service ProvidersOct 7, 2025Rideshare 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 pro...
-
A Need for Open Standards in Nanosatellite DevelopmentOct 6, 2025The 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 ...
-
PyCubed: The Open Source OBC That Changed University Space ProgramsSep 2, 2025Why 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 an...
-
Where Are All the CubeSat Manufacturers? Consolidation, Costs, and the Case for American InnovationAug 31, 2025How 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 res...
-
High School CubeSat Programs: How Secondary Schools Can Launch Their First SatelliteAug 30, 2025Practical 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 SchoolsAug 29, 202525 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 SatelliteAug 28, 2025Structured 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 ProjectAug 27, 2025Guide 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 pla...
-
ITAR and EAR for Educational CubeSat Projects: What Students and Faculty Need to KnowAug 26, 2025Guide 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 ProjectAug 26, 2025A 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 BeyondAug 25, 2025Navigate 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 GuideAug 24, 2025Student 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 ProjectsAug 23, 2025A 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 project...
-
Open-Source Tools for CubeSat Development: Software, Simulators, and Design ResourcesAug 22, 2025Guide 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 ThemAug 21, 2025Top 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 DesignAug 20, 2025How 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 UniversitiesAug 20, 2025Key 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 CubeSatsAug 19, 2025A 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 StudentAug 18, 2025Over 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 CubeSatsAug 17, 2025A 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 InnovationAug 16, 2025PyCubed 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 Blackw...
-
PyCubed: How Python and Open Source are Launching the Next Generation of CubeSatsDec 6, 2024PyCubed 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 sta...