NASA Opens Student Challenge on Lunar Base Solutions

NASA announced the challenge on November 8, 2026, at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman was cited for the $1 million prize pool and the challenges students could address.

Key details

• The challenge is described as open to U.S.-based high school and post-secondary students.
• Teams can develop concepts in six areas: power systems, habitats, communications, mobility, life support, and astronaut safety.
• The reported registration deadline is January 25, 2027.
• The competition is planned to include initial concepts, refinement, and presentations by finalists to NASA leaders and stakeholders.

The competition offers a reported $1 million in total prizes.

Why it matters

The six topic areas span the infrastructure a lunar base would need, from power and communications to crew life support. NASA identified long-duration power, crew protection, surface transportation, and life support among the challenges, according to Isaacman.