NASA is inviting U.S. high school and postsecondary students to design ideas for a future lunar base in a $1 million competition. Registration is open through January 25, 2027.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
NASA has launched the Moon Base Student Challenge, a $1 million competition inviting student teams at U.S. high schools and postsecondary schools to develop ideas for a future lunar base.
The agency announced the challenge on Sunday during a MAX POWER event at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Registration is open through Jan. 25, 2027, via the NASA STEM Gateway.
The multiphase competition asks teams to propose solutions in six areas:
NASA envisions a base in the moon’s south polar region where astronauts could live, work and explore. The agency says a sustained human presence on the moon would help prepare for future crewed missions to Mars.
“We’re looking for students ready to think creatively, work as a team, and take on real problems connected to NASA’s future on the Moon,” NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said. “You do not have to wait until graduation to contribute.”
“Students bring exactly the bold ideas that we’re looking for, and I’m looking forward to their fresh perspective,” said Carlos García-Galán, manager of NASA’s Moon Base Program.
NASA said prior specialized engineering or technical experience is not required. NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement designed the challenge with the Moon Base Program. The Institute of Competition Sciences administers it under a NASA contract.
The challenge gives students experience with skills used in the space industry through trade studies, concept proposals and stakeholder briefings, while NASA seeks ideas for problems connected to a sustained human presence on the moon.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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