Nanoracks

Nanoracks pioneered democratizing space access through standardized plug-and-play hardware for ISS research and satellite deployment. Founded in 2009 by Jeffrey Manber and Charles Miller, the company revolutionized commercial space operations by opening low-Earth orbit to private industry and research institutions worldwide.

In October 2013, Nanoracks became the first company to coordinate small satellite releases from the ISS via the Japanese Kibo airlock, establishing a new paradigm for affordable satellite deployment. This capability has since deployed hundreds of CubeSats and small satellites for commercial, educational, and government customers, dramatically reducing barriers to space access.

The Bishop Airlock, launched to ISS in December 2020, represents Nanoracks' most significant contribution to space infrastructure. As the first permanent commercial addition to the station, Bishop provides 5x more deployment capacity than government airlocks for satellites and payloads, enabling rapid satellite releases and external payload operations.

Voyager Space acquired majority ownership of Nanoracks in May 2021, leveraging the company's expertise to lead the Starlab commercial space station program. Nanoracks' experience in ISS operations, payload integration, and satellite deployment directly informs Starlab's design and operational concepts. The company consolidated under the Voyager Space brand in 2024 while maintaining its legacy of end-to-end space solutions from payload integration and launch through on-orbit operations. Nanoracks transformed expectations for commercial space access, proving private companies could operate sustainably in low-Earth orbit.