Nicholas Carlough
Nicholas Carlough, B.A., B.S. is a Biomedical Equipment Technician II at Providence and Cofounder and Executive Council for AI at BlackStar Orbital with over 15 years of experience in biomedical engineering, aerospace technology, and life support systems development. He serves as a Board Member at Scihouse and has pioneered innovative approaches to bioregenerative life support systems for space exploration.
Nick is recognized for his work integrating artificial intelligence with aerospace systems and developing reusable satellite technology that could revolutionize access to space-based research platforms.
He is currently the Cofounder and Executive Council for AI at BlackStar Orbital, where he designs, implements, and oversees executive AI systems, policy, and strategy on behalf of the board of directors. The company is developing hypersonic satellites that launch like traditional payloads and return home like spaceplanes, representing what they call the world's first commercialized "SpaceDrone".
BlackStar Orbital was accepted to the Space Edge Accelerator Cohort 2024 and announced plans to invest $7.1 million in a manufacturing and test facility at Sierra Vista Municipal Airport in Arizona, creating more than 50 jobs. The company has partnered with High Frontier Mining Corporation to develop asteroid mining capabilities and with Kall Morris for orbital debris mitigation technology. Read Florida-based BlackStar Orbital unveils southern Arizona spacecraft factory and their Factories in Space profile.
Since March 2025, Nick has served as Biomedical Equipment Technician II at Providence, where he maintains and services critical medical equipment throughout the Portland, Oregon Metropolitan Area. His role involves ensuring the optimal performance of life-saving medical devices and supporting healthcare operations across Providence's extensive network of facilities.
From 2023 to 2024, he served as Cofounder and Technological Operations Advisor at BlackStar Orbital, facilitating biomedical, material, and life science research aboard the BlackStar platform through product development and aerospace laboratory systems design. His work focused on implementing cutting-edge technologies to optimize research processes in microgravity environments and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless operations.
As a Board Member at Scihouse since 2019, Nick has contributed to this nonprofit organization's mission of advancing independent biological research and education. From 2017 to 2019, he served as Laboratory Systems Engineer at Scihouse, where he managed refrigeration, calibration, metrology, sterilizers, and HVAC systems while developing Python-based solutions for laboratory automation. Scihouse has been involved in groundbreaking work, including the reverse engineering of the million-dollar gene therapy Glybera to create more affordable treatments using non-viral delivery mechanisms. Watch Scihouse goes to BioHack The Planet 2019.
Between 2013 and 2017, Nick was Cofounder and Chief Science Officer of T.R.E.D. Laboratories, focused on Terraforming and Regenerative Ecosystems Technology development. The organization pioneered research in Bioregenerative Life Support Systems (BLSS) and isolation agriculture for space colonization applications. His work included developing closed bioregenerative ecosystems and researching insect ranching for exoplanetary agriculture. Nick presented this research at the Transhuman Visions Conference at Fort Mason Center in San Francisco, introducing concepts for carbon-negative food production systems. Read About T.R.E.D. Laboratories.
Nick earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Agricultural Technology and Systems Theory in 2015 from The Evergreen State College, where he focused on sustainable agricultural systems and complex systems analysis. He simultaneously earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biogeochemical systems and Bio-regenerative ECLSS (Environmental Control and Life Support Systems) in 2015 from The Evergreen State College, specializing in closed-loop biological systems for space applications. His academic work laid the foundation for his later research in developing Socio-Ecological Life Support Systems (SELSS) for space settlement.
From 2008 to 2012, Nick served in the United States Air Force as an Expeditionary Biomedical Equipment Technician (4A251), where he maintained and repaired critical medical equipment in deployed environments. He received training at Wright Patterson AFB Medical Center and Sheppard AFB, specializing in advanced field medical support systems and expeditionary medical facilities.
His military service included deployment to Al-Mubarak Air Base Kuwait International Airport for force protection operations and liaison work with the III Marine Expeditionary Force at Yokota AFB, Japan. He maintained CBRN decontamination equipment and PAPR systems while managing medical equipment across multiple facilities.
Nick has held various other significant positions throughout his career. From 2018 to 2019, he worked as Test Engineer and Field Operations at Ripple Aerospace in Florida, supporting oceanic launch systems. Between 2018 and 2023, he served as ALT-ESL teacher at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Board of Education, teaching at Takushin High School and Seiho Gakuen (Tokyo Metropolitan School for the Physically and Intellectually Disabled).
From 2023 to 2025, he worked as Certified Integration EST II at Henry Schein, installing and servicing medical and dental imaging systems in Oregon and western Washington. In 2016, Nick founded the Institute of Astro-Ekistics (IOAE), where he continues to develop social, architectural, and life-support-systems technology necessary for space settlement. His primary research interest lies in developing Socio-Ecological Life Support Systems (SELSS) that integrate human social structures with biological life support systems for sustainable space habitation.
Nick has also been involved in educational outreach through Scihouse, collaborating with The Thought Emporium on a series of informal chats about applied biological science and engineering. He has contributed to various publications and blog posts on topics ranging from bioregenerative waste treatment using Black Soldier Fly larvae to the discovery of Earth-sized exoplanets in habitable zones.
Nick has completed additional certifications in Scientific Computing with Python, Machine Learning with Python, and JavaScript Algorithms and Data Structures from freeCodeCamp. He has experience with military-grade biomedical equipment including Philips MrX Heart Start systems and Fuji Synaps Systems administration.
Nick resides in Portland, Oregon, where he continues his work advancing the integration of biological systems with aerospace technology. Known affectionately as "Space Beard" in some circles, he maintains an active interest in developing the technologies necessary for humanity's expansion beyond Earth while ensuring sustainable practices both in space and on our home planet.
His vision encompasses creating accessible space exploration opportunities through innovative satellite technology and establishing the biological foundations for permanent human settlement in space. Watch BlackStar Orbital Plans Arizona Spacecraft Manufacturing Test Facility. Read BlackStar Signs LOI With the City of Sierra Vista and Nicholas Carlough at T.R.E.D. Laboratories.
Visit his LinkedIn profile and Quora profile. Follow him on X, BlackStar Orbital, and Scihouse.