Bright Start Academic Programme

The Bright Start Academic Programme is designed to support academic institutions and students by providing access to Bright Ascension’s flight and ground software products. Recognizing the tight budgets of student projects, the programme offers free or heavily discounted licenses. It includes various license plans, such as the Classroom Licence, which is entirely free for educational and evaluation purposes, and the Academic Flight Licence, a discounted bundle of flight and ground software for missions planning to launch. The programme also provides comprehensive support, including access to a member-exclusive support forum and regular shared training sessions with Q&A. Furthermore, Bright Ascension sponsors up to three academic missions each year with free Flight Software and Mission Control Software, offering a unique opportunity for student projects to get their journey into space funded. Eligibility for academic licensing requires the primary intent to be research or teaching at an accredited degree-granting college or university, with restrictions against commercial gain.