NASA is seeking original aerospace concepts from U.S. collegiate teams for the 2027 RASC-AL competition, focusing on sustained operations at the lunar South Pole.
Key facts
- •The 2027 RASC-AL competition focuses on technologies for the lunar South Pole region.
- •Finalist teams will receive $7,500 to develop their concepts and attend the June 2027 forum.
- •The competition is administered by the National Institute of Aerospace on behalf of NASA.
- •Teams must submit a notice of intent by October 13 and final proposals by February 24, 2027.
- •Up to 14 teams will be selected to advance to the final phase of the challenge.
NASA has launched the 2027 Revolutionary Aerospace Systems Concepts – Academic Linkage (RASC-AL) competition, inviting U.S.-based collegiate teams to propose innovative technologies for lunar exploration. The challenge focuses on developing operations and infrastructure necessary for sustained human presence in the lunar South Pole region.
By the numbers
Competition Themes and Objectives
The annual competition, which has operated since 2002, aims to foster aerospace innovation by connecting university researchers with NASA and industry experts. This year’s themes include developing concepts for prospecting within permanently shadowed lunar craters and creating expandable infrastructure to support future astronauts.
Timeline and Selection Process
Interested teams must submit a non-binding notice of intent by October 13, followed by a Q&A session with NASA experts on October 27. Full proposals and video submissions are due February 24, 2027. NASA will select up to 14 finalist teams, each receiving $7,500 to support their participation, which includes writing a technical paper and creating a poster.
Finalist Forum and Awards
Finalists will present their work to a panel of NASA and industry experts at the 2027 RASC-AL Forum in Cocoa Beach, Florida, held from June 7 to June 10, 2027. The top two teams will receive additional monetary awards and an invitation to present their concepts at an aerospace conference later in 2027.
Timeline
- October 13Deadline for submitting a non-binding notice of intent.
- October 27Q&A session with NASA experts.
- February 24, 2027Deadline for challenge proposals and video submissions.
- June 7 to 10, 2027Finalist teams present concepts at the RASC-AL Forum in Cocoa Beach, Florida.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by NASA Breaking News.
