In Silver Spring, Maryland, SilverSat is a community-based nonprofit in which tweens and teens design, build, and operate a CubeSat that photographs Earth and shares mission data from space. Founded by parents and students, the program gives students in grades 7–11 responsibility for major project decisions while adult mentors provide guidance. Its student-created satellite launched from Cape Canaveral in September 2025 and was deployed from the International Space Station in December 2025.
University at Buffalo Nanosatellite LaboratorySince 2012, the University at Buffalo Nanosatellite Laboratory has been a student-run organization building nanosatellites for government-sponsored programs and researching space situational awareness. Its students design and develop missions such as PIP-Sat, which studies radiation effects on GPU-based computing in low Earth orbit, while the Short Cycle Laboratory gives newcomers hands-on experience through semester-long high-altitude balloon projects. The lab welcomes students from any major and has helped launch alumni careers at NASA, SpaceX, and Northrop Grumman.BUFFALO, NY
Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT)Since its formation in the District of Columbia in 1969, AMSAT has been a worldwide educational nonprofit shaped by amateur radio operators and volunteer labor. Known for its “home-brew” approach, the organization gives radio amateurs a way to participate in space communication while advancing practical space technology. Its volunteers have helped place more than 60 amateur radio satellites into orbit.KENSINGTON, MD
Operation SpaceFounded in May 2018, Operation Space designs and builds rockets through a nationwide, remotely coordinated team of college students. Unlike university-bound rocket projects, it brings students from different schools together around collaboration rather than competition, with the goal of proving what young people can accomplish through a highly technical launch. The team assembled and tested its two-stage rockets at Vanderbilt University during build week.STONY BROOK, NY
Bearcat Spaceport CupBearcat Spaceport Cup is a University of Cincinnati student engineering team that designs and builds high-powered rockets and competition payloads for the Spaceport America Cup. Its first rocket launch, in April 2024, reached 7,184 feet—the university’s highest recorded altitude at the time—and successfully deployed and recovered the rocket’s payload capsule. Alongside its rocketry work, the team mentors UC students and brings hands-on STEM activities to local schools.