SOverview
Space Tango provides automated R&D and manufacturing services in low Earth orbit by deploying compact laboratories called CubeLabs on the International Space Station. It helps clients in technology, materials, and biomedical sectors conduct experiments and production in microgravity, enabling processes not feasible on Earth. CubeLabs are automated, compact labs that run experiments and manufacturing steps in space, handling tasks that benefit from microgravity. The company differentiates itself by offering end-to-end space-enabled research and manufacturing capabilities through partnerships, project collaborations, and commercial contracts, backed by NASA Utilization Award recognition for biomedical applications. Its goal is to expand space-based R&D and manufacturing, create new business opportunities in space, and contribute to human progress by advancing science and industry through microgravity-enabled work.
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About Space Tango
Industries
Company Size
11-50
Company Stage
Grant
Total Funding
$11.4M
Headquarters
Lexington, Kentucky
Founded
2014
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- June 25, 2026 Kentucky incentives approved up to $1.025 million for 25 jobs.
- April 22, 2025 MGH collaboration expands microgravity cancer research onto ISS and future stations.
- August 24, 2025 CRS-33 launched Space Tango payloads including bioprinted devices and stem-cell studies.
What critics are saying
- The ISS retires by 2030; Space Tango’s core platform loses orbital access and revenue.
- Space Tango depends on NASA and ISS utilization; budget shifts hit flight cadence immediately.
- Commercial stations are unproven; delayed replacements leave Space Tango stranded between platforms.
What makes Space Tango unique
- Since 2017, Space Tango flew 300+ experiments across about 40 ISS missions.
- June 25, 2026 expansion adds mission ops, bio, electrical, and test labs.
- September 10, 2025 LambdaVision deal ties Space Tango hardware to NASA InSPA retinal manufacturing.
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Funding
Total Funding
$11.4M
Above
Industry Average
Funded Over
5 Rounds
Benefits
- Flexible Work Hours
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
-8%1 year growth
-8%2 year growth
-8%(VIDEO) mini hearts and brains head to Space Station in first-ever test that could unlock secrets of aging. The lab-grown tissues will be monitored in microgravity to study ageing, heart disease and neurological disorders, with possible benefits for patients on Earth. Published 10/16/26 AT 2:09 AM AEDT CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Miniature human organs are on their way to the International Space Station for the first time, in an experiment researchers hope will reveal how spaceflight affects the body and why living in space appears to speed up aging. The tiny lab-grown hearts and brains launched Tuesday morning aboard SpaceX's CRS-35 commercial resupply mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. They are expected to arrive at the space station Thursday. The project is a joint effort by researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, NASA and aerospace company Space Tango. Studying space's toll on the body Astronauts age faster in space because microgravity and increased radiation exposure harm multiple systems in the body, particularly on long-duration missions. "If people are going to be living and working in space, then we need to understand what's going to happen to them," David Sachs, an assistant professor of surgery at Mount Sinai, told ABC News. "But also, because it's interesting as a model of accelerated aging for studying people on Earth." Kevin Costa, an associate professor of surgery at Mount Sinai, said the effects can be dramatic. "Six months in space... is equivalent to about 10 to 20 years of aging on Earth," Costa told ABC News. That accelerated timeline gives researchers a unique opportunity to study aging and disease over a much shorter period than would be possible on Earth. Tiny hearts in orbit Sachs and Costa are sending up to 16 miniature hearts to the space station. Researchers will test how the tissues respond to electrical signals and monitor how they react to near-zero gravity. The work builds on an earlier experiment. In 2023, Mount Sinai's Cardiovascular Research Institute sent individual heart cells to the space station, confirming that they could survive in the weightless environment. Peppercorn-sized brains The mission is also carrying miniature brain models known as miBrains. About the size of a peppercorn, the miBrains represent both healthy and diseased brains. By exposing them to the space environment, scientists hope to see how the tiny brains respond and better understand why life in space accelerates aging. The research could also help scientists studying neurological diseases on Earth. "[The research is] translating to stuff in space, but it's also translating back to the research we do in the laboratory to help people with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease," said Joel Blanchard, an associate professor of stem cell biology, regenerative medicine and neuroscience at Mount Sinai. A lab the size of a shoebox The mini organs are housed in a miniature laboratory called a CubeLab, developed by Space Tango, which simulates the natural environment of the human body. "[It is] slightly bigger than a shoebox, and it is a fully automated, miniaturized system," said Gentry Barnett, Space Tango's chief technology officer. Researchers say the miniature organs, while not full-sized human organs, are effective substitutes that are cost-effective and take up little of the limited space aboard the station. Lessons for patients on Earth Scientists believe findings from the experiments could translate into everyday medical care. Sachs said the microgravity environment allows researchers to study what happens to people who lead sedentary lifestyles or face prolonged bed rest, conditions that are difficult to simulate on Earth. Preparing for the moon and Mars NASA officials said the experiments are a starting point for future research beyond low Earth orbit. Lisa Carnell, director of NASA's biological and physical sciences division, said scientific tools have advanced dramatically since the Apollo era. "We sent Apollo astronauts out there over 50 years ago, but the techniques and the way that we can actually do assessments to understand what's happening has come a long way since then," Carnell said. "We're making leaps, not incremental research, by taking biology to space, because you're seeing changes that you cannot see on the ground in ways you've never seen it before," she added. NASA plans to return astronauts to the moon's surface in 2028 and build a permanent base there within the next decade. The agency and SpaceX have also discussed sending humans to Mars in the coming years. Understanding how the body responds to long periods in space will be critical to keeping astronauts healthy on those missions, which could last months or years. A busy resupply mission The mini organs are part of a larger cargo shipment aboard SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft. The CRS-35 mission is carrying more than 6,300 pounds of science experiments, crew supplies and equipment, including the final set of new solar arrays to complete an upgrade of the station's power system. The predawn launch Tuesday produced a striking "space jellyfish" effect, as sunlight illuminated the rocket's exhaust plume high in the atmosphere, visible across parts of the southeastern United States. What's next Once the Dragon spacecraft docks with the station, astronauts will transfer the experiments aboard, where the automated CubeLab systems will begin monitoring the mini organs. Researchers will analyze data collected during the mission and compare the space-exposed tissues with samples kept on Earth, in hopes of uncovering new insights into aging, heart disease and neurological disorders. MEET IBT NEWS FROM BELOW CHANNELS
Mini organs launching to space may help future astronauts and humans on Earth stay healthy. The mini organs are expected to arrive at the ISS on Thursday. By Allen Chang, MDCM Tuesday, October 13, 2026 6:14AM Miniature organs being sent into space for the very first time may soon help scientists understand how spaceflight impacts certain organs and may accelerate aging. In a joint effort by researchers from Mount Sinai, NASA and aerospace company Space Tango, these mini organs will be exposed to the increased radiation and microgravity astronauts face in space, especially on long-duration missions. "If people are going to be living and working in space, then we need to understand what's going to happen to them," David Sachs, assistant professor of surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, told ABC News. "But also, because it's interesting as a model of accelerated aging for studying people on Earth." The mini organs launched aboard commercial resupply mission CRS-35 on Tuesday morning from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. They are expected to arrive at the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday. Astronauts age faster in space because microgravity and radiation exposure negatively affect multiple body systems. The miniature organs offer researchers a unique opportunity to simulate aging in a much shorter period of time to understand disease and develop treatments. "Six months in space... is equivalent to about 10 to 20 years of aging on Earth," Kevin Costa, associate professor of surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, told ABC News. Sachs and Costa are sending up to 16 miniature hearts to the ISS to test how they respond to electrical signals and monitor how they may react to near-zero gravity. Mount Sinai's Cardiovascular Research Institute sent individual heart cells to the ISS in 2023, confirming they could survive in the weightless environment. The technology, which is integrated into a miniature laboratory called CubeLab, was developed by Space Tango and simulates the natural environment in the human body. "[It is] slightly bigger than a shoebox, and it is a fully automated, miniaturized system," Gentry Barnett, chief technology officer at Space Tango, told ABC News. As part of the new effort, the team is sending miniature brains, called miBrain, to the ISS. Around the size of a peppercorn, the miBrains reflect models of healthy and diseased brains. By exposing them to the space environment, scientists can see how mini-brains respond and better understand why living in space accelerates aging. Though the mini organs are not full-sized human organs, the researchers say they are good substitutes, cost-effective and don't take up much of the limited space aboard the space station. They also believe discoveries made in space can translate to uses in everyday medical care. The microgravity environment uniquely allows researchers to study what happens to humans with a sedentary lifestyle or prolonged bed rest, which isn't easily simulated on Earth, Sachs explained. "[The research is] translating to stuff in space, but it's also translating back to the research we do in the laboratory to help people with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease," Joel Blanchard, associate professor of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine and neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, told ABC News. Lisa Carnell, the director of the biological and physical sciences division at NASA, told ABC News that these experiments serve as a starting point for future research beyond low Earth orbit, including to the moon and beyond. "We sent Apollo astronauts out there over 50 years ago, but the techniques and the way that we can actually do assessments to understand what's happening has come a long way since then," Carnell said. NASA plans to return astronauts to the moon's surface in 2028 and build a permanent base in the next decade. The agency and private space company SpaceX have also discussed sending humans to Mars in the not-so-distant future. "We're making leaps, not incremental research, by taking biology to space, because you're seeing changes that you cannot see on the ground in ways you've never seen it before," Carnell added. Dr. Allen Chang is a geriatric medicine subspecialist at Dalhousie University and a member of the ABC News Medical Unit
Space Tango to spend $7.4 million on Kentucky hq expansion. By Plant Service - June 27, 2026 - 2 min Space Tango Co. will spend $7.4 million on a new expansion of its Lexington, Kentucky headquarters, a June 25 announcement from the governor's office announced. According to Gov. Beshear's office, the space infrastructure company expects the move will create 25 new jobs at the site. Based in Kentucky since 2017, Space Tango is dedicated to space-based research, development and manufacturing. The company's website says it has launched 45 missions to date and operates a permanent module on the International Space Station. The shift will see Space Tango leasing and developing a new facility at the Greyline Station manufacturing campus in Lexington, Kentucky. The new headquarters will reportedly also include dedicated mission operations space, build laboratories, biological and electrical laboratories, test centers, engineering audiences, and new employee amenities. The project timeline will see the move implemented in stages starting next year. "Space Tango was founded in Kentucky and is proud to continue building its future here," said Twyman Clements, president and co-founder of Space Tango. "These incentives coupled with support from the state legislature will accelerate our build-out here. As the space economy continues to commercialize, we're building Space Tango to further our leadership position in enabling research and manufacturing in microgravity." "Kentucky's technology and aerospace industries have seen tremendous growth in recent years because of our highly skilled workforce, access to resources and local and state collaboration," said Gov. Beshear. "Our historic run of economic momentum would not be possible without quality, Kentucky-based companies like Space Tango driving investment and creating good-paying jobs in our communities." "Lexington saw the potential of Space Tango many years ago and supported it through our local incentive Jobs Fund program," said Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton. "Our support has continued as Space Tango has grown and created good jobs for our residents. Congratulations to the whole Space Tango team!" Steuart Nutrition to build new, $11.4 million Kentucky supplement plantThe company's new factory and relocated HQ are expected to create 93 new jobs. Toyota to spend $1 billion to expand Kentucky and Indiana plantsMost of the money will go towards boosting Camry and RAV4 production, as well as adding a new electric vehicle, at Toyota's Georgetown, Kentucky plant. James Composites to spend $5.8 million on new Kentucky factoryThe fiberglass barge cover estimates it will hire 25 new employees. Recent Comments
Beshear: Space Tango to expand Lexington operations with $7.4M investment, creating 25 jobs. By: Web Staff Posted 1 hour and 17 minutes ago LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX NEWS) - Space Tango, a Kentucky-founded leader in commercial space infrastructure and mission operations, will expand its Lexington operation with a $7.4 million investment that will create 25 jobs, Gov. Andy Beshear announced Thursday. Space Tango will lease and develop a larger facility at the Greyline Station campus in Lexington, according to a news release from Beshear. The new facility will include dedicated mission operations space, build laboratories, biological laboratories, electrical laboratories, machine shops, testing laboratories, engineering offices, collaboration areas and supporting employee amenities. The project will be implemented in phases beginning in 2026, with additional expansion capacity available for future growth, Beshear noted. "Kentucky's technology and aerospace industries have seen tremendous growth in recent years because of our highly skilled workforce, access to resources and local and state collaboration," Beshear said. "Our historic run of economic momentum would not be possible without quality, Kentucky-based companies like Space Tango driving investment and creating good-paying jobs in our communities." Twyman Clements, president and co-founder of Space Tango, said the expansion reflects the company's commitment to its home state. "Space Tango was founded in Kentucky and is proud to continue building its future here," Clements said. "These incentives coupled with support from the state legislature will accelerate our build-out here. As the space economy continues to commercialize, we're building Space Tango to further our leadership position in enabling research and manufacturing in microgravity." Space Tango develops advanced systems enabling research, manufacturing and autonomous operations in the space environment. Since 2017, the company has supported more than 300 experiments flown across approximately 40 missions to the International Space Station and has received multiple NASA awards supporting deep-space exploration efforts, including work associated with the AVATAR program and Artemis missions, the release read. Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton highlighted the city's longstanding support for the company. "Lexington saw the potential of Space Tango many years ago and supported it through our local incentive Jobs Fund program," Gorton said. "Our support has continued as Space Tango has grown and created good jobs for our residents. Congratulations to the whole Space Tango team!" Bob Quick, president and CEO of Commerce Lexington, said the expansion reflects the region's ability to attract high-tech industry. "Space Tango is another Lexington success story that proves our ability to nurture and grow careers and businesses that include many of our target sectors - high-tech, advanced manufacturing and research," Quick said. "We have the talent, resources and partnerships with local and state governments as well as the private sector that make Lexington attractive for these high-paying careers."
Gov. Beshear: Space Tango to expand Lexington headquarters with $7.4 million investment, create 25 new high-wage jobs. Scottie Ellis502-564-2611https://governor.ky.gov/ Office of the Governor 501 High StreetFrankfortKY40601 Kentucky-based space technology company has supported experiments on over 40 missions flown to the International Space Station. FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 25, 2026) - Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced exciting momentum within the state's aerospace and technology sectors as Space Tango, a nationally recognized leader in commercial space infrastructure and mission operations, will expand its Lexington operation with a $7.4 million investment, creating 25 quality, good-paying jobs. "Kentucky's technology and aerospace industries have seen tremendous growth in recent years because of our highly skilled workforce, access to resources and local and state collaboration," said Gov. Beshear. "Our historic run of economic momentum would not be possible without quality, Kentucky-based companies like Space Tango driving investment and creating good-paying jobs in our communities." To support future company growth, Space Tango will expand its Kentucky presence, leasing and developing a substantially larger facility at the Greyline Station campus in Lexington. The new facility will include dedicated mission operations space, build laboratories, biological laboratories, electrical laboratories, machine shops, testing laboratories, engineering offices, collaboration areas and supporting employee amenities. The project will be implemented in phases beginning in 2026, with additional expansion capacity available for future growth. "Space Tango was founded in Kentucky and is proud to continue building its future here," said Twyman Clements, president and co-founder of Space Tango. "These incentives coupled with support from the state legislature will accelerate our build-out here. As the space economy continues to commercialize, we're building Space Tango to further our leadership position in enabling research and manufacturing in microgravity." Space Tango is a Kentucky-founded and -headquartered space technology company that develops advanced systems enabling research, manufacturing and autonomous operations in the space environment. Since 2017, Space Tango has supported more than 300 experiments flown across approximately 40 missions to the International Space Station and has received multiple NASA awards supporting deep-space exploration efforts, including work associated with the AVATAR program and Artemis missions. Today, Space Tango is a nationally recognized leader in commercial space infrastructure and mission operations and employs highly skilled engineers, scientists, technicians and business professionals. Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton highlighted the local support for the company: "Lexington saw the potential of Space Tango many years ago and supported it through our local incentive Jobs Fund program. Our support has continued as Space Tango has grown and created good jobs for our residents. Congratulations to the whole Space Tango team!" Bob Quick, president and CEO of Commerce Lexington, noted the community's business-friendly environment: "Space Tango is another Lexington success story that proves our ability to nurture and grow careers and businesses that include many of our target sectors - high-tech, advanced manufacturing and research. We have the talent, resources and partnerships with local and state governments as well as the private sector that make Lexington attractive for these high-paying careers." Space Tango's investment and job creation furthers what has been the best six-year period for economic growth in state history. Since the beginning of his administration, Gov. Beshear has announced more than 1,300 private-sector new-location and expansion projects totaling over $50 billion in announced investments, creating more than 70,000 jobs. This is the highest investment figure secured during the tenure of any governor in the commonwealth's history and $29 billion more than the next highest total. Gov. Beshear has announced some of the largest economic development projects in state history, which have solidified Kentucky as the battery capital of the United States: AESC's $2 billion, 2,000-job gigafactory project in Warren County; Ford Motor Co.'s $2 billion, 2,200-job commitment in Louisville, as well as its $2 billion, 2,100-job project at the Kentucky 1 plant in Hardin County; Shelbyville Battery Manufacturing's $712 million investment, creating 1,572 jobs in Shelby County; and Toyota's $1.3 billion investment in Scott County, among others. In February, the Governor announced Kentucky once again set an all-time record for products shipped globally, with $50.6 billion in exports in 2025, representing a 5.65% increase over 2024. Unemployment rates fell in all 120 counties between December 2024 and December 2025. The Governor's administration also secured the largest General Fund budget surplus and Rainy Day Fund. In 2023, Kentucky recorded over 2 million jobs filled for the first time ever and has stayed above that number ever since. In addition, Kentucky has secured rating increases from major credit rating agencies Fitch Ratings, S&P Global Ratings and Moody's Investors Service. Earlier this year, Site Selection magazine ranked Kentucky in the top five nationally and second in the South Central region for economic development projects per capita in its 2025 Governor's Cup rankings. In June, Area Development magazine awarded the commonwealth a Silver Shovel designation in its 2025 Shovel Awards, which highlight states for attracting high-value investment projects that will create a significant number of new jobs in their communities. Gov. Beshear also announced a new initiative, called New Kentucky Home, to increase economic investment, attain and attract talent, and increase tourism across the state. To encourage investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) today preliminarily approved a 10-year incentive agreement with the company under the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based agreement can provide up to $1,025,000 in tax incentives based on the company's investment of $7.4 million and annual targets of: * Creation and maintenance of 25 Kentucky-resident, full-time jobs across 10 years; and * Paying an average hourly wage of $53.60, including benefits, across those jobs. Additionally, KEDFA approved Space Tango for up to $75,000 in tax incentives through the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act (KEIA). KEIA allows approved companies to recoup Kentucky sales and use tax on construction costs, building fixtures, equipment used in research and development and electronic processing. By meeting its annual targets over the agreement term, the company can be eligible to keep a portion of the new tax revenue it generates. The company may claim eligible incentives against its income tax liability and/or wage assessments. In addition, the company can receive resources from Kentucky's workforce service providers. Those include no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized raining and job-training incentives. A detailed community profile for Fayette County can be viewed here. Information on Kentucky's economic development efforts and programs is available at NewKentuckyHome.ky.gov. Fans of the Cabinet for Economic Development can also join the discussion at facebook.com/CEDkygov, on Twitter @CEDkygov, Instagram @CEDkygov and LinkedIn.
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About Space Tango
Industries
Company Size
11-50
Company Stage
Grant
Total Funding
$11.4M
Headquarters
Lexington, Kentucky
Founded
2014
Space Tango is Hiring for 4 Jobs on Simplify!
Find jobs on Simplify and start your career today