๐Ÿ† Curated for Young Explorers

Space Competitions

National and international challenges for students who want to design, build, and launch real space projects.

3
Open Now
2
Closing Soon
12
Tracked

Upcoming (3)

NCESSE
Closes in 0d

Student Spaceflight Experiments Program

Design a microgravity experiment that launches to the ISS for real astronaut execution. Full mission cycle experience.

HybridGrades 5โ€“12 3โ€“5 students
Jun 30, 2026Open
AAS
Closes in 1d

CanSat Competition

Build a soda-can-sized satellite, launch it on a rocket, and complete a mission profile including telemetry, descent, and recovery.

In-personGrades 9โ€“12 4โ€“10 students
Jul 1, 2026Open
Global Space Hackathon
Closes in 96d

Space Apps Challenge

A 48-hour global hackathon where students use open space data to solve challenges in space and Earth science.

HybridGrades 6โ€“12 1โ€“6 students
Oct 4, 2026Open

Past (9)

MIT
Closed

Zero Robotics

Program a SPHERES satellite aboard the ISS. Your code runs on real hardware flown by astronauts. No hardware required on your end.

Jun 10, 2026Visit
NSS
Closed

International Space Settlement Design

Design an orbital space settlement that could support 10,000+ humans. Technical, creative, and interdisciplinary.

May 22, 2026Visit
AIA & NAR
Closed

Team America Rocketry Challenge

The largest student rocket contest in the world. Design, build, and fly a rocket to meet specific altitude and duration goals.

May 15, 2026Visit
Future Engineers
Closed

TechRise Student Challenge

Design a climate or space experiment that flies on a high-altitude balloon or suborbital rocket. Open to teams with a faculty advisor.

May 1, 2026Visit
Conrad Foundation
Closed

Conrad Challenge

Design an innovation addressing a real-world aerospace, energy, or health problem. Finalists pitch at Kennedy Space Center.

Apr 28, 2026Visit
Boeing & miniPCR bio
Closed

Genes in Space

Propose a DNA experiment to solve a real challenge in space exploration. Winning experiment flies to the ISS.

Apr 26, 2026Visit
The Mars Society
Closed

Mars Society Rover Challenge

Design and build an autonomous rover capable of navigating simulated Martian terrain and completing science tasks.

Mar 8, 2026Visit
Artemis Student Programs
Closed

App Development Challenge

Middle and high school teams code software using real lunar data from the Artemis program.

Feb 14, 2026Visit
EduMentor
Closed

International Space Olympiad

Global space science olympiad covering astronomy, astrophysics, and space technology. Three-round format.

Jan 31, 2026Visit