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<\/a><\/figure>NASA\u00a0announced\u00a0the\u00a0Massachusetts Institute of Technology\u00a0project,\u00a0Exploration-Class Lunar Integrated Power\u00a0SystEm,\u00a0as the\u00a0first\u00a0place\u00a0winner\u00a0for the\u00a02026 Revolutionary\u00a0Aerospace Systems Concepts \u2013 Academic Linkage (RASC-AL)\u00a0competition,\u00a0which challenges students to bridge gaps in aerospace technology by innovating new system concepts and prototypes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Another\u00a0team\u00a0from\u00a0the same university\u00a0won second place overall for their project,\u00a0Mars Exploration Layered Infrastructure for Operations, Research, and Advancement,\u00a0while\u00a0Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University\u00a0took third\u00a0place\u00a0with\u00a0the Mars Pylon Network.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Empowering the next generation,\u00a0the\u00a0competition\u00a0also\u00a0supports\u00a0the agency\u2019s\u00a0workforce development priorities by offering university teams hands-on experience in mission architecture development, systems\u00a0engineering, and technical communication.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe winning teams demonstrated how academic innovation can support Artemis mission goals,\u201d\u00a0said Daniel Mazanek, program sponsor\u00a0for RASC-AL\u00a0and senior space systems engineer,\u00a0NASA\u2019s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia.\u00a0\u201cTheir\u00a0work\u00a0highlights\u00a0the important role student research plays in shaping future\u00a0space\u00a0exploration,\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0results showcase how disciplined analysis can elevate innovative ideas into viable exploration concepts.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Fourteen finalists\u00a0attended\u00a0the\u00a0multi-day\u00a0RASC-AL\u00a0Forum\u00a0in Cocoa Beach, Florida,\u00a0and gave formal presentations outlining their mission architectures, technology solutions, and supporting analysis. These discussions provided students with real-time engineering feedback, exposing them to the rigor and scrutiny applied to human spaceflight concepts under development within the agency.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Awards were presented to teams\u00a0demonstrating\u00a0the highest levels of technical rigor, innovation, and mission alignment.\u00a0In addition to the top prizes,\u00a0other\u00a0awards\u00a0included:\u00a0<\/p>\n
- \n
- Best in Communications, Position, Navigation, and Time Architectures for Mars Surface Operations Theme:\u00a0Massachusetts Institute of Technology\u00a0
<\/strong>Mars Exploration Layered Infrastructure for Operations, Research, and Advancement MELIORA)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n- \n
- Best in Lunar Sample Return Concept Theme:\u00a0South Dakota State University\u00a0
<\/strong>Sample Extraction of Lunar Elements for Network Entry\u00a0(SELENE)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n- \n
- Best in Lunar Surface Power and Power Management and Distribution Architectures Theme:\u00a0Massachusetts Institute of Technology\u00a0
<\/strong>Exploration-Class Lunar Integrated Power\u00a0SystEm\u00a0(ECLIPSE)\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n- \n
- Best in Lunar Technology Demonstrations Leveraging Common Infrastructure Theme:\u00a0Massachusetts Institute of Technology\u00a0
<\/strong>CLPS-enabled\u00a0Highly-autonomous\u00a0End-to-End\u00a0isruSystem\u00a0Evaluations to Build Understanding and Resilient Growth by Experimenting with Regolith (CHEESEBURGER)\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n- \n
- Best Prototype:\u00a0<\/strong>\n
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Worldwide Campus<\/strong>\u00a0
Advanced Utilization of Resources for Energy & Viability Off-Earth\u00a0(Project AUREVO)
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign with Leonardo de Vinci Engineering School<\/strong>\u00a0
Mining and Advanced Transformation of Regolith for Infrastructure and\u00a0eXpansion\u00a0(MATRIX)\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\u201cThe\u00a0RASC-AL\u00a0program\u00a0allows students to demonstrate their ability to transform innovative concepts into technically sound studies, with emphasis on\u00a0technical rigor, clear communication, and systems-level thinking,\u201d said\u00a0Christopher Jones,\u00a0 program sponsor\u00a0for RASC-AL\u00a0and chief technologist for the Systems Analysis and Concepts Directorate at NASA Langley.\u00a0\u201cThese are the hallmarks of effective engineering\u00a0that we\u2019re\u00a0looking\u00a0for\u00a0and reflect the standards required for real-world aerospace problem-solving,\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The NASA\u00a0RASC-AL\u202fcompetition<\/a>\u00a0represents\u00a0a cross-agency collaboration. The competition is administered by the National Institute of Aerospace and managed by the NASA Tournament Lab, part of the\u202fagency\u2019s\u00a0Prizes, Challenges, and Crowdsourcing Program.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
For more information, visit:\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
https:\/\/go.nasa.gov\/3GS1OGm<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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\nBailey G. Light <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"NASA\u00a0announced\u00a0the\u00a0Massachusetts Institute of Technology\u00a0project,\u00a0Exploration-Class Lunar Integrated Power\u00a0SystEm,\u00a0as the\u00a0first\u00a0place\u00a0winner\u00a0for the\u00a02026 Revolutionary\u00a0Aerospace Systems Concepts \u2013 Academic Linkage (RASC-AL)\u00a0competition,\u00a0which challenges students to bridge gaps in aerospace technology by innovating new system concepts and prototypes.\u00a0 Another\u00a0team\u00a0from\u00a0the same university\u00a0won second place overall for their project,\u00a0Mars Exploration Layered Infrastructure for Operations, Research, and Advancement,\u00a0while\u00a0Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University\u00a0took third\u00a0place\u00a0with\u00a0the Mars [\u2026] Continue reading
- Best Prototype:\u00a0<\/strong>\n
- Best in Lunar Technology Demonstrations Leveraging Common Infrastructure Theme:\u00a0Massachusetts Institute of Technology\u00a0
- Best in Lunar Surface Power and Power Management and Distribution Architectures Theme:\u00a0Massachusetts Institute of Technology\u00a0
- Best in Lunar Sample Return Concept Theme:\u00a0South Dakota State University\u00a0