2026 NASA Revolutionary Aerospace Systems Concepts – Academic Linkage (RASC-AL) Competition
Develop new ideas and prototypes that could help people explore and work on the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Apply now.
Apply if you’re a U.S.-based undergraduate or graduate student interested in space exploration. The challenge asks you and your team to develop new ideas and prototypes that could help people explore and work on the Moon, Mars, and beyond. This year’s topics include technologies for lunar surface missions and systems that support operations and data return from Mars.
| Key information | |
|---|---|
| Sponsoring agency | NASA |
| Start date | 2/23/2025 11:59 ET |
| End date | 2/23/2026 11:59 ET |
| Challenge type | Ideas |
| Prizes | Non-monetary prizes. Finalists will receive stipends to showcase their winning concepts. |
| Contact | rascal@nianet.org |
For detailed information, including eligibility requirements, rules, and judging criteria, see RASC-AL.
LAST UPDATED: February 5, 2026
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