Behind Artemis II: The $100M Nonprofit Engine Powering America's Return to the Moon

On April 1, 2026, NASA's Space Launch System rocket lifted off from Kennedy Space Center carrying four astronauts on the Artemis II mission, the first crewed flight beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in December 1972. Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen are flying a roughly 10-day lunar flyby mission aboard the Orion spacecraft, testing the life support systems and deep-space navigation that will be needed for future crewed landings.

The crew itself represents milestones. Victor Glover is the first person of color to travel beyond low Earth orbit. Christina Koch is the first woman to do so. Jeremy Hansen, a Canadian Space Agency astronaut, is the first non-American to fly beyond Earth orbit. These firsts did not happen by accident. They are the product of decades of investment in STEM education, scholarship programs, and public engagement, much of it carried out by nonprofits that rarely make headlines.

The Artemis program has cost approximately $93 billion through 2025, with estimates projecting it will exceed $100 billion as additional missions proceed. Each SLS launch costs roughly $4 billion. The prime contractors are household names: Boeing built the SLS core stage, Lockheed Martin leads the Orion spacecraft, Northrop Grumman supplies the solid rocket boosters, and SpaceX is developing the Starship Human Landing System for future missions. But behind this industrial complex sits a parallel infrastructure of nonprofit organizations that train the workforce, inspire young people, fund scholarships, and advocate for continued investment in space exploration.

We analyzed IRS Form 990 filings from 27 space-focused nonprofits across six years (2019 through 2024) to map this ecosystem. What we found is a sector experiencing rapid growth, deeply intertwined with government funding, and concentrated in a few distinct categories: scholarships and workforce development, museums and public education, advocacy and policy, and government-funded research. Each plays a different role in the pipeline that produces the engineers, scientists, and public support that make missions like Artemis II possible.

Across the 27 organizations we tracked, combined revenue grew from $61.7 million in 2019 to $106.4 million in 2023, a 72% increase over four years. Total assets climbed from $145.0 million to $193.0 million. Employment grew from 839 to 940 positions, a 12% increase that held through the pandemic years when many nonprofit sectors were contracting.

The growth was not linear. Revenue held roughly flat through 2020 at $60.0 million as COVID shuttered museums and cancelled conferences. Then it surged in 2021 to $104.3 million, driven largely by the U.S. Space Foundation's explosive growth and a post-lockdown rebound across the sector. A slight dip in 2022 to $92.7 million gave way to a new high of $106.4 million in 2023. The trajectory closely mirrors the Artemis program's own timeline: Artemis I flew its uncrewed test in November 2022, generating renewed public and political interest in lunar exploration.

The 2024 filing data is incomplete because not all organizations have filed yet, so we use 2023 as the most recent complete year for ecosystem-wide comparisons. Where individual organizations have filed for 2024, we reference those figures. The ecosystem breaks into four distinct layers, each serving a different function in the pipeline from inspiration to orbit.

The revenue mix tells an important story about the sector's funding structure. Roughly half comes from contributions and grants (including foundation and corporate support), about 19% from government grants specifically, and the remainder from program service revenue, meaning conference fees, museum admissions, membership dues, and similar earned income. This blend of public, private, and earned revenue makes the space nonprofit sector more diversified than many other nonprofit subsectors, where government dependency can exceed 50%. But the mix varies dramatically by organization type, as we will see.

The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation was created in 1984 by the surviving Mercury 7 astronauts, the first Americans in space. Its mission is to fund the next generation of STEM scholars. In 2024, the foundation paid $811,000 in grants to students pursuing science, technology, engineering, and math degrees, more than double the $375,000 it awarded in 2019. It sits on $14.8 million in assets, providing a durable endowment for continued grant-making.

The foundation's growth reflects deliberate scaling. Contributions grew from $1.2 million in 2019 to $1.3 million in 2024, and total revenue peaked at $4.4 million in 2022 driven by investment returns. The organization runs with just 13 employees but mobilizes 195 volunteers, many of them former astronauts and aerospace professionals who mentor scholars. Its program expense ratio has remained consistently above 80%, meaning the vast majority of spending goes directly to scholarship programs and educational activities rather than overhead.

The Astronauts Memorial Foundation, a separate organization based at Kennedy Space Center, serves a complementary role. It maintains the National Space Mirror Memorial honoring astronauts who died in the line of duty and runs STEM education programs. In 2024, it reported $1.5 million in revenue and holds $11.0 million in assets. Notably, it receives substantial government grants, with $468,000 from federal sources in 2024 alone, reflecting its role as an official memorial and education partner at KSC.

The National Space Grant Foundation operates at a larger scale. Congress created NASA's Space Grant program in 1988 to fund STEM education and research at universities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The foundation supports this network with $3.1 million in revenue in 2024, distributing $1.5 million in grants to universities and educational programs. Its funding comes primarily from government grants ($412,000) and program service revenue ($2.6 million from conference and program fees).

At the state level, the Maine Space Grant Consortium illustrates how the pipeline works on the ground. This two-person organization channeled $1.8 million in revenue in 2024, virtually all of it from NASA ($1.8 million in government grants), and distributed $1.3 million in grants to Maine universities and researchers. It is, in essence, a pass-through for NASA education funding, operating with zero fundraising expenses and zero overhead beyond its two staff members. The consortium's revenue grew 78% from $1.0 million in 2019 to $1.8 million in 2024, reflecting increased NASA investment in the Space Grant network during the Artemis era.

These organizations form the first stage of the space workforce pipeline. Before an engineer sits in Mission Control or a scientist analyzes lunar samples, they are often supported by a scholarship, mentored by an astronaut alumnus, or conduct research funded through a Space Grant. The Artemis program depends on this pipeline whether or not it appears in NASA's budget line items.

Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum in Denver is the largest space museum in our dataset by 2023 revenue, with $8.8 million. It employs 105 people, mobilizes 337 volunteers, and manages $18.6 million in assets including its facility in a former Air Force hangar. Revenue grew 48% from $5.9 million in 2019, driven by a combination of increased admissions ($2.3 million in program revenue), corporate sponsorships, and grants. The museum also distributes grants itself, paying out $250,000 annually to support aerospace education programs.

The San Diego Air & Space Museum followed a similar trajectory, growing 51% from $4.4 million in 2019 to $6.7 million in 2023. Its program service revenue (largely admissions and events) grew from $2.4 million to $4.1 million, reflecting the post-COVID surge in museum attendance. The museum now employs 114 people and holds $12.3 million in assets. Government grants have been variable, peaking at $2.9 million in 2021 when COVID relief funds flowed to cultural institutions, then settling to $325,000 in 2023.

The Challenger Center for Space Science Education operates differently from the museums. Born from the 1986 Challenger disaster, it runs a national network of simulation-based STEM learning centers where students experience mock space missions. The DC-based headquarters reported $6.6 million in revenue in 2024, up 38% from $4.8 million in 2019. It is the most government-dependent of the education organizations, with $2.1 million (31%) of its 2024 revenue coming from federal grants. Program service revenue, from licensing fees and programs at its learning centers, accounts for another $3.4 million.

The Challenger Center's growth has been steady, not volatile. It added employees (from 20 in 2019 to 25 in 2024), expanded its program spending from $3.9 million to $5.9 million, and increased its reach. The Alaska Challenger Center, one of the network's affiliate locations, saw a dramatic jump in 2023, with revenue spiking from $405,000 in 2022 to $1.4 million, driven by a $1.1 million infusion in government grants. This kind of lumpy federal funding is typical for the Challenger network, where individual centers compete for NASA education grants on a project-by-project basis.

The Stafford Air & Space Museum Foundation deserves special attention. Named for the late General Thomas P. Stafford, who commanded Apollo 10, the museum reported a dramatic jump from $3.1 million in 2023 revenue to $12.4 million in 2024. Virtually all of that increase came from contributions ($12.0 million), suggesting a major bequest or capital campaign gift. The foundation then distributed $3.5 million in grants, up from near zero in prior years. This is the kind of philanthropic event that can transform a small institution, and it illustrates how dependent many space museums are on individual donors for transformative growth.

The Colorado Consortium for Earth and Space Science Education, based in Colorado Springs near the U.S. Space Foundation, bridges the museum and education categories. With $734,000 in revenue in 2023 and 24 employees, it develops and delivers space and Earth science curricula. Its volunteer corps grew from 15 to 120 between 2022 and 2023, suggesting a significant expansion of outreach programming. Revenue has grown 31% since 2019, modest compared to the museums but steady.

The Planetary Society, co-founded by Carl Sagan in 1980, is the largest citizen-funded space advocacy organization in the world. In 2023, it reported $5.2 million in revenue, virtually all from member contributions ($5.3 million). It receives no government grants in most years. This makes it genuinely independent, a voice for space exploration funded entirely by its members. The organization employs 27 people, engages 37 volunteers, and holds $8.0 million in assets.

The Planetary Society's financial trajectory reveals an important dynamic. Revenue has fluctuated between $4.3 million (2019) and $6.3 million (2022), but expenses have grown faster, from $4.8 million in 2019 to $7.2 million in 2023. As a result, the organization has been drawing down its asset base, from $10.6 million in 2019 to $8.0 million in 2023. Program spending has grown from $3.3 million to $5.1 million, reflecting an intentional decision to invest more aggressively in advocacy and education even as the financial cushion shrinks. Fundraising expenses have also grown, from $762,000 to $1.3 million, as the organization works to replenish its donor base.

The National Space Society presents an unusual organizational model. It reports zero employees and 275 volunteers in every filing year. Despite being entirely volunteer-run, it generated $5.0 million in revenue in 2023, including a remarkable $4.7 million in contributions. Assets have grown from $1.8 million in 2019 to $6.7 million in 2024, a nearly fourfold increase. The organization received a large infusion in 2023 ($4.7 million in contributions against typical years of $580,000 to $1.8 million), likely a major bequest or restricted gift. Its vision: "People living and working in thriving communities beyond the Earth."

On the industry side, the Commercial Spaceflight Federation serves as the trade association for the commercial space industry, advocating for regulatory policies that support private spaceflight. Revenue grew from $775,000 in 2019 to $1.5 million in 2023, with the vast majority ($1.3 million) coming from program service revenue, meaning membership dues from companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and other commercial space firms. The federation runs with just 7 to 11 employees.

The Coalition for Deep Space Exploration is the advocacy organization most directly tied to Artemis. Formed in 2017, it advocates for continued investment in NASA's deep space exploration programs. Revenue grew modestly from $825,000 in 2019 to $1.3 million in 2024, funded almost entirely by contributions from aerospace industry members ($973,000 in 2024). Its stated mission: "An industry trade organization advocating to ensure United States remains a leader in space exploration, science, technology, and international cooperation."

The American Astronautical Society, founded in 1954, bridges advocacy and professional development. It runs conferences and publishes journals for the astronautics community. Revenue grew from $836,000 in 2019 to $1.0 million in 2024, driven almost entirely by program service revenue ($941,000) from conferences and publications. It receives no government funding and reports zero employees in recent filings, relying on contractors and volunteers to operate.

The Space Science Institute in Boulder, Colorado is the clearest example of a government-funded research organization operating as a nonprofit. In 2024, it reported $8.9 million in revenue, of which $8.9 million (99.6%) came from government grants. It employs 82 scientists and researchers and holds $2.3 million in assets. Its mission: "shaping our future by enabling scientists to advance our understanding of Earth and the universe; increasing science and technology literacy for people of all ages and backgrounds; and inspiring youth to pursue science-technology education and career opportunities."

The institute's revenue has been remarkably stable, fluctuating between $7.6 million and $11.9 million from 2019 to 2024. The 2022 spike to $11.9 million likely reflects a major NASA research contract award. Program expenses track revenue closely, as expected for a cost-reimbursement research organization. The implication for Artemis is direct: organizations like the Space Science Institute conduct the fundamental research that informs mission design, instrument development, and scientific objectives for lunar exploration.

The United States Space Foundation, based in Colorado Springs, is the largest single organization in our dataset and the primary driver of the ecosystem's overall revenue growth. Revenue exploded from $4.7 million in 2019 to $28.3 million in 2023, a sixfold increase. The foundation's Space Symposium conference has become the preeminent gathering for the global space industry, and program service revenue (largely conference fees) grew from $744,000 to $17.9 million over the same period. Contributions also surged, from $3.6 million to $9.3 million.

The Space Foundation's growth reflects the broader commercialization of space. As companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and dozens of smaller firms have entered the market, the industry's appetite for networking, education, and workforce development has grown dramatically. The foundation's employee count grew from 94 to 137, and its volunteer corps expanded from 100 to 450. Total assets nearly tripled from $17.3 million to $39.7 million. It now operates the Discovery Center, an interactive space education facility, alongside its conference and professional development programs.

The International Lunar Observatory Association, based in Hawaii, occupies a niche but symbolically important role. It aims to place astronomical observatories on the lunar surface. Revenue has been steady at $691,000 in 2024, funded entirely by contributions. It holds $6.7 million in assets and reports no employees, operating as a mission-driven advocacy and research organization. With Artemis planning to establish sustained human presence on the Moon, the idea of lunar-based scientific infrastructure is moving from theoretical to practical.

The aggregate growth numbers are striking. Revenue up 72%. Assets up 33%. Employment up 12%. Grants distributed to scholars and programs up 86%, from $2.4 million in 2019 to $4.5 million in 2023. By almost any measure, space nonprofits have been a growth sector within the broader nonprofit economy.

But the growth is concentrated. The U.S. Space Foundation alone accounts for most of the revenue increase, growing by $23.7 million between 2019 and 2023. If you exclude the Space Foundation, the remaining 26 organizations still grew, from $57.0 million to $78.1 million (37%), a healthy rate that reflects genuine sector-wide expansion rather than a single outlier.

Museums and education organizations account for the largest share of revenue ($41 million), followed by research and science ($37 million, driven by the Space Foundation and Space Science Institute), advocacy and policy ($18 million), and scholarships and workforce development ($10.4 million). The scholarship category is the smallest by revenue but arguably the most directly impactful: every dollar in grants from the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation or the Space Grant network goes directly to training the humans who will build and operate the next generation of space systems.

The employment picture tells a complementary story. Museums are the largest employers (Wings Over the Rockies alone has 105 employees), followed by research organizations (Space Science Institute, 82). Advocacy organizations tend to run lean, with the National Space Society operating entirely on volunteers and the Commercial Spaceflight Federation employing just 7 people. The volunteer dimension adds significant capacity: the sector mobilized over 2,000 volunteers across the 27 organizations in 2023, providing education, mentoring, and event support that would cost millions to staff.

The Artemis era has been good for space nonprofits. Public interest in space exploration drives museum attendance. Government investment in lunar programs increases NASA education and research grants. Industry growth fuels trade association membership and conference revenue. The question is whether this growth is sustainable or whether it depends on continued Artemis momentum, a question that has taken on new urgency as the program faces political headwinds.

The Artemis program's costs have been a persistent source of debate. Government auditors report approximately $93 billion in spending through 2025, with projections exceeding $100 billion. SLS has been described as "grossly expensive" in the Trump administration's own FY 2026 budget proposal, which noted the program is 140% over its original budget. Each SLS launch costs roughly $4 billion, compared to the estimated $100 million per launch for SpaceX's Starship system.

In early 2026, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman made significant structural changes to the program. The SLS Block 1B Exploration Upper Stage was cancelled in February 2026. The Lunar Gateway orbital station was cancelled in March 2026, with resources redirected toward lunar surface infrastructure. Artemis III, originally planned as the first crewed lunar landing, was restructured into an Earth-orbit test of landing systems, pushing the actual lunar landing to Artemis IV in 2028.

For the nonprofit ecosystem we have mapped, these changes carry direct implications. Organizations like the Space Science Institute, which receives 99.6% of its revenue from government grants, are inherently exposed to shifts in NASA's research priorities. The Challenger Center network, with 31% government funding, would feel the impact of education grant reductions. Even the museums, which earn much of their revenue from admissions and events, depend on public interest in space exploration, which is itself driven by the visibility of programs like Artemis.

Congress has so far maintained NASA funding levels, rejecting most proposed cuts in the January 2026 appropriations bill. NASA's FY 2026 discretionary funding is $24.4 billion, with a supplemental allocation bringing the total to approximately $27.5 billion. But the program restructuring suggests that the political debate over Artemis is not about whether to explore space, but about how, and at what cost.

The nonprofit organizations in this analysis are not passive observers of that debate. The Coalition for Deep Space Exploration and the Planetary Society actively lobby for continued investment. The National Space Society mobilizes 275 volunteers to advocate for space settlement. The Commercial Spaceflight Federation represents the industry players who would benefit from a more commercially oriented approach. These organizations are participants in the policy discussion that determines the future of American spaceflight.

Artemis II is currently in flight as of this writing, with its four-person crew on day three of their lunar flyby. When they return safely to Earth, the mission will have demonstrated that America can again send humans beyond low Earth orbit. But the longer project, building the sustained human presence on the Moon that Artemis envisions, will require not just rockets and spacecraft but the continued investment in the nonprofits that train, inspire, and advocate for the people who make it all possible.