NASA Launches $1 Million Moon Base Design Contest for Students

NASA has launched a design competition for high school and university students to develop innovative ideas for a planned base on the Moon.

Within the scope of the competition, students will be able to submit projects in six different categories: energy production and storage, habitat construction, life support systems, surface mobility, communication, and astronaut safety. Participation is open to public schools, private schools, homeschool groups, and specific education-focused non-governmental organizations such as 4-H.

Applications will be made by student teams of two to five people accompanied by an adult coach. NASA will award cash prizes to the 100 teams selected as finalists. Finalist teams will detail their projects with a presentation video and a slide file. The winners will be evaluated by a jury consisting of NASA and space industry leaders and will be announced in May 2027.