NASA ORBIT Challenge 2027

The NASA ORBIT (Opportunities in Research, Business, Innovation, and Technology for the Workforce) Challenge invites university and community college students nationwide to work with real NASA intellectual property and mission challenges. Participants choose a path: ORBIT Earth, focused on developing commercial applications of NASA patents that solve problems on Earth, or ORBIT Space, focused on designing next-generation technologies for space exploration. The most ambitious teams can pursue both through an optional Integration Bonus.

Awards include up to $500,000 in prizes, mentorship from NASA experts, and the chance to present work at an in-person showcase. Finalists also gain access to an exclusive accelerator program designed to launch careers in STEM and entrepreneurship.

The challenge opened on September 14, 2026, and registration closes on November 16, 2026. More information is available at https://nasaorbit.org/. The item is dated September 28, 2026.