National Design Competitions

The Great Moonbuggy Race

Students are required to design a vehicle that addresses a series of engineering problems that are similar to problems faced by the original Moonbuggy team. Competition is open to High School and College teams. Applications will be available in October, and due early in February yearly. Competition takes place in April at Marshall Space Flight Center (Huntsville, AL).

CanSat Competition

This annual competition allows teams from different universities and high schools to design and build a space-type system, according to the specifications released by the competition organizing committee, and then compete against each other at the end of two semesters to determine the winners. Applications are due annually around the end of October (Applications Due October 31, 2007; Launch June 13-15, 2008). Competition takes place in June in Amarillo, Texas.

Reduced Gravity Student Flight Opportunities Program

The Reduced Gravity Student Flight Opportunities Program provides a unique academic experience for undergraduate students to successfully propose, design, fabricate, fly and evaluate a reduced gravity experiment of their choice over the course of six months. The overall experience includes scientific research, hands-on experimental design, test operations and educational/public outreach activities.
Letters of Interest (Optional) Due: September 19, 2007
Proposal Due: October 31, 2007
Announcement of Selected Teams: December 6, 2007
Flight Weeks: April 3-12, 2008; April 17-26, 2008; June 5-14, 2008; June 19-28, 2008

NASA Fundamental Aeronautics Competition

The Fundamental Aeronautics Program of the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters announces a new aeronautics competition for high school and college students for the 2007-2008 academic year. Students are asked to think about a next generation, all new DC-3 type of aircraft. High school students are invited to write an essay describing how the transportation of goods and passengers might be revolutionized with the 21st century equivalent to the DC-3. College level students are invited to design the aircraft, using guidelines provided by NASA, and suggest a minimum of three valid operational scenarios for their proposed vehicle. Cash prizes to winners. More details available at the above website.
High School competition: Notice of intent due December 15, 2007; final reports due on or before March 15, 2008.
College competition: Notice of intent due January 19, 2008; final reports due on or before April 30, 2008.

NASA University Student Launch Initiative

The NASA University Student Launch Initiative (USLI) involves college students in designing, building, and testing reusable rockets with associated scientific payloads. Teams construct the vehicle that is designed to reach an altitude of one mile above ground level. In addition to actual vehicle performance, teams are also evaluated on design and other criteria. This educational experience culminates with a launch at Marshall Space Flight Center (Huntsville, AL) in the spring.
More information about this program.
For more information or to participate, contact Al Krause [al.krause(at)nasa.gov, 256-961-1354].
There is a required video conference for NEW teams on September 7, 2007.

RASC-AL: Space Operations Programs

The RASC-AL program links universities and the NASA Langley Research Center's (LaRC) Revolutionary Aerospace Systems Concepts (RASC) program. With this synergy, NASA can communicate with the innovative minds of tomorrow and obtain concepts and technology that will lead to opportunities for future NASA research and programs. The principal activity of RASC-AL will be an annual conference at which students will present the results of their studies to a professional audience. The organization of the Forum includes a combination of student team oral and poster presentations and technical presentations from NASA, industry, and university professionals.

Team America Rocketry Challenge

Annual nation-wide rocketry-based aerospace design and flying challenge competition for student teams of 7th-12th graders. Registration for 2008 competition opens early September 2007, deadline should be mid-November 2007.

Exploration Systems Mission Directorate Funding