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Events February 27, 2026 SSTC Knoxville Students University of Tennessee 615 VC Blackwing Space Type One Ventures

The Student Space Technology Association (SSTA) is hosting the first-ever Student Space Technology Conference (SSTC) on February 27-28, 2026 in Knoxville, TN. Student teams involved in rocketry, robotics, satellites, and space tech systems will compete, showcase their work, hear from aerospace industry professionals, and gain first-hand experience understanding the future of space technology. The event is powered by Type One Ventures with support from sponsors including Blue Origin, Axiom Space, Starlab, Gravitics, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, Defense Innovation Unit, University of Tennessee Knoxville, 615.vc, Blackwing Space, Veteran Ventures Capital and others.

News January 5, 2026 Whisper Aero Tennessee CES Aerospace Innovation

Tennessee-based Whisper Aero announced pre-orders for the Tone T1 Leaf Blower at CES 2025 in Las Vegas. The handheld blower uses aerospace-grade UltraQuiet propulsion technology originally developed for aircraft, producing 880 CFM and 25 newtons of blowing force--outperforming leading gas handhelds by 60%. At peak thrust, it operates at only 52 dB(A), approximately 60% quieter than top battery blowers and 80% quieter than gas. Founded by industry veterans Mark Moore and Ian Villa, Whisper Aero continues to innovate quieter propulsion solutions from its Tennessee headquarters. The T1 is available for pre-order at $599 with first batches shipping September 2026.

News December 30, 2025 Blue Origin UTHSC Vanderbilt Astronaut Nashville MoonDAO

University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine alumnus Eiman Jahangir, MD, became the first physician on a commercial spaceflight when he flew aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket on August 29, 2024. Dr. Jahangir, now a professor of medicine and radiology and director of cardiology and cardio-oncology sections at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, was selected by MoonDAO from more than 2,200 applicants. He was the 704th person to ever travel to space. The 2005 UTHSC graduate has applied to NASA five times, making the finals twice. He now promotes STEM education and aerospace medicine while continuing his clinical duties at Vanderbilt in Nashville.

Press Release December 9, 2025 Space 3.0 Nashville Space-Edge

Blackwing Space, a Nashville-based nanosatellite manufacturer, has been selected for the Space-Edge 2025-26 cohort, a national commercialization program helping innovators unlock opportunities in space-enabled advanced materials and manufacturing. Participating through Vanderbilt University, Blackwing will collaborate with research and industry partners to accelerate on-orbit experimentation in areas such as biomanufacturing, composites, and semiconductor materials. The company's commercial nanosatellite platforms - designed and built in Tennessee - support rapid, affordable flight testing aligned with the emerging Space 3.0 era, where access is commercially driven and widely available. Space-Edge is developed in partnership with ASU, Rice, UCF, Vanderbilt, and the Space Foundation.

News December 8, 2025 Beehive Industries Knoxville Defense Propulsion USAF UAS

Beehive Industries announced the successful completion of high-altitude testing for its 200 lbf Frenzy engine, confirming readiness for flight testing in Q1 2026. The test campaign at a government facility in Ohio validated performance across the full flight envelope, with results meeting or exceeding Air Force requirements. Beehive's facilities in Denver, Cincinnati, and Knoxville are ramping capacity to meet anticipated production demand. The Frenzy engine family spans 100 to 300 lbf and is designed to power next-generation uncrewed aerial systems with unmatched efficiency, reliability, and affordability. The program builds on a $12.46 million U.S. Air Force Rapid Sustainment Office contract awarded in October 2024.

News November 18, 2025 SEOPS Nashville Launch Services Isar Aerospace Small Satellites

Nashville-based SEOPS announced during SpaceTech Expo that it has purchased a dedicated launch on Isar Aerospace's Spectrum rocket, targeted for 2028. This marks SEOPS' first collaboration with Isar Aerospace and expands the company's European launch capabilities. Through the LaunchLock Prime program, customers gain access to pre-secured capacity, trusted provider networks, and engineering support under a single contract. SEOPS, a U.S.-owned small satellite integration and launch solutions provider with a business office in Nashville, has expertise from more than 400 satellite deployments including for the U.S. Space Force, NASA, and NRO.

News November 3, 2025 SEOPS Nashville SpaceX Small Satellites Launch Services

Nashville-based SEOPS successfully prepared 10 customer spacecraft for flight on the SpaceX Transporter-15 rideshare mission launching from Vandenberg Space Force Base. SEOPS managed capacity procurement, logistics, and payload processing for a diverse manifest ranging from pocketcubes to larger spacecraft, using four distinct deployment systems including their own Equalizer Flex. Payloads include missions from NASA, ESA, the National Science Foundation, and universities including University of Alabama in Huntsville and Auburn University. With more than 400 satellite deployments for customers including U.S. Space Force, NASA, and NRO, SEOPS maintains a business office in Nashville.

News September 22, 2025 Beehive Industries Knoxville Defense Propulsion USAF UAS

Beehive Industries announced significant progress in development and testing of its 200 lbf Frenzy engine under a $12.46 million U.S. Air Force contract. The company has tested four individual engines in just six months, compressing traditional development timelines from years to months through additive manufacturing. Testing conducted across Beehive's Denver, Cincinnati, and Knoxville facilities has met or exceeded all product requirements, with engines collectively accumulating more than 20 hours of runtime. The Frenzy engines range from 100 to 300 lbf and are designed for UAV applications where cost, efficiency, and reliability are critical. Altitude testing is scheduled for Q4 2025 with flight testing planned for early 2026.

News September 4, 2025 Space Command Huntsville Tennessee Tech Aerospace Defense Jobs

The Trump administration's decision to move U.S. Space Command from Colorado Springs to Huntsville, Alabama is expected to benefit Tennessee's aerospace industry. With Huntsville just a 20-minute drive from Tennessee's border, experts anticipate downstream effects on economic and community development. According to the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, more than 10,000 Tennesseans are employed in aerospace and defense, with approximately 110 aerospace and defense businesses in the state. Tennessee exports close to a billion dollars in aerospace products and parts annually. Tennessee Tech's Michael Aikens noted the move could bring spillover job prospects for graduates in aerospace and nuclear engineering programs.

News June 27, 2025 NASA Barry Wilmore Tennessee Tech Wilson County Astronaut

NASA astronaut Barry "Butch" Wilmore returned to Middle Tennessee on June 27 as part of a homecoming tour that included Wilson County and his college alma mater Tennessee Tech University. The Barry Wilmore Lift-Off Luncheon at the Wilson Bank & Trust Operations Center in Lebanon served as a fundraiser for the Wilson County Fellowship of Christian Athletes, with approximately 150 attendees. Wilmore, a famed Tennessee Tech graduate renowned for his NASA accomplishments, currently serves as a University Trustee.

News May 6, 2025 Whisper Aero Tennessee Defense USAF Aerospace Tennessee Tech

Tennessee-based Whisper Aero unveiled a new family of Collaborative Logistics Aircraft (CLA) during Special Operations Forces Week in Tampa. Light (500 lb payload) and heavy (3,000 lb payload) variants utilize Whisper's proprietary UltraQuiet propulsion and JetFoil integrations for conventional and short takeoff and landing. The US Air Force has selected Whisper Aero for funding via STRATFI and OECIF contracts to accelerate development. Whisper recently announced a $500K effort by the State of Tennessee in conjunction with Tennessee Tech to advance flight testing of their Ultralight demonstrator. Flight tests for the CLA Light are expected to begin in 2027, with the program advancing toward full-scale variants over the next four years.

News February 6, 2025 Space-Edge Vanderbilt Wondry Accelerator

The Space-Edge Accelerator, a national consortium developed by Arizona State University, University of Florida, University of Central Florida, Vanderbilt University, Blue Origin, and the Space Foundation, hosted its inaugural showcase for its first graduating cohort in January 2025. The 12-week program helped 20 ventures--including six from Vanderbilt--develop actionable space strategies for the growing space economy, projected to exceed $1 trillion by 2040. Vanderbilt participants explored innovations ranging from astronaut muscle diagnostics to precision agriculture for space and surgical technologies for microgravity environments. Vanderbilt's participation in the Space-Edge Accelerator will continue in fall 2025, with plans to expand the consortium of universities for even greater collaboration and impact.