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Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater)<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
NASA is kicking off the 2026 Student Launch challenge, looking for new student teams to\u00a0design, build, and launch high-powered rockets with a scientific or engineering payload next April.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The agency is seeking proposals until Monday, Sept. 22. Details about this year\u2019s challenge are in the\u00a02026 handbook<\/a>, which outlines the requirements for middle school, high school, and college students to participate.\u00a0After a competitive proposal selection process, selected teams must meet documentation milestones and undergo detailed reviews throughout the activity year.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThese bright students rise to a nine-month challenge for Student Launch that tests their skills in engineering, design, and teamwork,\u201d said Kevin McGhaw, director of NASA\u2019s Office of STEM Engagement Southeast Region. \u201cThey are part of the Golden Age of explorers \u2013 the future scientists, engineers, and innovators who will lead us into the future of space exploration.\u201d<\/p>\n Student Launch will culminate with on-site events starting on\u00a0April 22, 2026.\u00a0Final launches are scheduled for April 25, at Bragg Farms in Toney, Alabama, near NASA\u2019s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.\u00a0<\/p>\n Each year, NASA updates the university payload challenge to reflect current scientific and exploration missions.\u00a0For the 2026 season, the payload challenge will take inspiration from the\u00a0Artemis<\/a>\u00a0missions, which seek to explore the Moon for scientific discovery, technology advancement, and to learn how to live and work on another world as we prepare for human missions to Mars.\u00a0This year\u2019s payload challenge tasks college and university teams with designing, building, and flying a habitat to safely house four\u00a0STEMnauts<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 non-living objects representing astronauts \u2013 during extended missions. The habitat must include equipment capable of both collecting and testing soil samples to support agricultural research operations.<\/p>\n Nearly 1,000 students participated in the\u00a02025 Student Launch competition<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 making up 71 teams from across the United States. Teams launched their rockets to an altitude between 4,000 and 6,000 feet, while attempting to make a successful landing and executing the payload mission.<\/p>\n \u00a0Former NASA Marshall Director Art Stephenson started Student Launch in 2000 as a student rocket competition at the center. Just two university teams competed in the inaugural challenge \u2013 Alabama A&M University and the University of Alabama in Huntsville. The challenge continues to soar with thousands of students participating in the STEM competition each year, and many\u00a0going on to a career with NASA<\/a>.<\/p>\n NASA Marshall\u2019s Office of STEM Engagement hosts Student Launch to provide students with real-world experiences that encourage them to pursue degrees and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Student Launch is one of several NASA\u00a0Artemis Student Challenges<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 a variety of activities that expose students to the knowledge and technology required to achieve the goals of the agency\u2019s Artemis campaign.\u00a0<\/p>\n In addition to\u00a0NASA Office of STEM Engagement\u2019s<\/a>\u00a0Next Generation STEM project, NASA Space Operations Mission Directorate, Northrop Grumman, National Space Club Huntsville, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, National Association of Rocketry, Relativity Space and, Bastion Technologies provide funding and leadership for the Student Launch competition.\u00a0<\/p>\n To learn more about Student Launch, visit:\u00a0![\"NASA\u2019s](\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/sl26-handbook-cover.png?w=816\")
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www.nasa.gov\/studentlaunc<\/a><\/strong>h<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nShare<\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n