NASA’s 2027 RASC-AL Student Challenge Opens

NASA is inviting U.S.-based collegiate teams to submit concepts for the 2027 Revolutionary Aerospace Systems Concepts – Academic Linkage competition, known as RASC-AL. The challenge asks students to design technologies and operational approaches for sustained activity in the lunar South Pole region, an area the agency views as central to future Moon missions.

The competition has run annually since 2002, linking university researchers with NASA and industry on early-stage aerospace ideas. This edition focuses on themes such as prospecting in permanently shadowed crater regions and building expandable infrastructure for future astronauts. NASA officials described the program as a way to tap the technical creativity of the next generation while advancing concepts the agency can use.

Teams must submit a non-binding notice of intent by Tuesday, Oct. 13, and can join a NASA expert Q&A on Oct. 27. Full proposals and video submissions are due Feb. 24, 2027. As many as 14 finalist teams will be selected to develop technical papers and posters and present at the RASC-AL Forum in Cocoa Beach, Florida, from June 7 to 10, 2027.

Why NASA Is Sourcing Lunar South Pole Ideas From Universities

A Low-Cost Talent and Idea Pipeline

RASC-AL gives NASA a structured way to collect early-stage aerospace concepts from universities while training students who may become the agency's future workforce. Chris Jones, chief technologist at NASA Langley's Systems Analysis and Concepts Directorate, framed the competition as demonstrating exceptional talent and contributing to NASA's mission work. The arrangement allows NASA to explore creative operational paradigms without committing internal engineering resources at the earliest stage.

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What the Lunar South Pole Focus Signals

The emphasis on the South Pole is not incidental. The region contains permanently shadowed craters that may hold water ice and other resources, making it a likely site for sustained lunar operations. By asking students to design habitat, infrastructure and prospecting concepts for this environment, NASA is aligning an educational program with the practical challenges of its broader lunar exploration strategy. That said, the competition remains an exploratory student exercise rather than a formal acquisition program.

How Collegiate Teams Can Enter the 2027 RASC-AL Competition

For U.S. collegiate teams considering participation, the key steps and dates are:

  • Notice of intent: file the non-binding notice by Tuesday, Oct. 13, and attend the NASA Q&A on Oct. 27.
  • Proposal and video: submit both by Feb. 24, 2027, responding to one of the four 2027 themes with original engineering and analysis.
  • Finalist award: up to 14 teams receive $7,500 each to support full participation and present June 7–10, 2027 in Cocoa Beach, Florida.
  • Top recognition: the top two overall teams receive an additional monetary award and an invitation to present at an aerospace conference later in 2027.