NASA Invites Students to Envision Future on the Moon

NASA is hosting the 2027 edition of the student challenge, RASC-AL, which invites U. S. -based collegiate teams to submit original concepts for a future on the Moon. The competition focuses on aerospace innovation and explores new operations paradigms and technologies needed for sustained operations in the lunar South Pole region. Themes include prospecting in permanently shadowed regions of lunar craters and advancing critical infrastructure for future astronauts. Teams will submit proposals and accompanying video submissions by February 24, 2027, and finalists will present their concepts at the 2027 RASC-AL Forum in June 2027. The top two teams will receive additional monetary awards and invitations to present at an aerospace conference. The competition aims to accelerate technology for lunar exploration and provide opportunities for future aerospace innovators and leaders.