NASA Opens ORBIT’s Second Season for Student Ideas on Earth and in Space
ORBIT
NASA’s challenge for university and college student teams.
NASA-owned patent
An invention right owned by NASA, chosen by Earth-track teams.
feasibility analysis
A check of whether a proposed plan can work.
What happened
NASA announced on September 29 that its ORBIT student challenge will return for a second season. ORBIT serves university and college student teams. Registration for the 2026–2027 challenge is open until Monday, November 16, 2026, through NASA STEM Gateway. NASA says the first season helped build ingenuity and career skills. The second season offers up to $500,000 in total prize funding.
What teams must do
ORBIT asks teams to develop ideas through several steps. They conduct targeted research, create early models, and perform a feasibility analysis. These steps help teams refine their proposals before judging. Top-performing teams earn a place at the in-person Pitch Showcase. There, they present their solutions to expert judges. Judges choose award recipients after presentations and interactive question sessions.
Two tracks, two kinds of problems
The Earth track begins with one NASA-owned patent. Teams must develop a new commercial or nonprofit application for that technology. The application should address an important problem on Earth. NASA gives two examples: quieter drones and improved medical technology for patient care.
The Space track focuses on next-generation exploration technology. It supports NASA’s Artemis program and future efforts to establish a lasting human presence on the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Possible areas include power, communications, navigation, living solutions, and astronaut health and well-being.
Why it matters
The two tracks connect public needs with NASA technology and future exploration. Earth teams must show a clear path to public benefit. Space teams must think about practical systems for people working far from Earth. The challenge therefore asks students to move from a promising idea toward a workable proposal.
NASA says ORBIT provides immersive experience with its core missions. It also gives students direct access to agency mentors. The program aims to build industry-ready skills that connect academic study with aerospace careers. That makes the challenge both a technology competition and a career-building experience.
Confirmed facts and open questions
NASA has confirmed the deadline, the two tracks, the required research process, the showcase, and the maximum prize funding. Projects that combine the goals of both tracks may qualify for an Integration Bonus. This season also adds a Faculty Advisors’ Choice Award. It recognizes professionalism and communication across teams. The new Next Steps Award recognizes strong plans for continued development after the challenge ends.
However, the announcement does not list every eligibility rule. It does not specify team size, the detailed judging calendar, or how awards will be divided. Teams should read the official rules before applying.
What to watch next
The first milestone is the November 16 registration deadline. After that, the important questions will be which problems teams choose and how their proposals develop. The official NASA announcement directs readers to NASA STEM Gateway and nasaorbit.org for complete competition details, eligibility requirements, and rules.
Source: NASA’s official announcement
NASA Invites Student Teams to Solve Earth and Space Problems
📰 Full story: NASA Opens ORBIT’s Second Season for Student Ideas on Earth and in Space
Student teams can study NASA technology and design useful new ideas. Registration ends November 16, 2026.
ORBIT
NASA’s challenge for college and university student teams.
patent
Protection for an invention.
Artemis
NASA’s program for exploring the Moon.
💡 The gist
- NASA opened the second ORBIT season for student teams.
- Teams can solve Earth problems or support future space travel.
- Registration stays open until November 16, 2026.
NASA, the U.S. space agency, announced the challenge on September 29. ORBIT means Opportunities in Research, Business, Innovation, and Technology. It brings college and university student teams into NASA-related problem solving. NASA says the first season built creativity and career skills. The new season offers up to $500,000 in total prize funding.
Teams must do more than share a clever idea. They study a focused problem first. Then they design an early model. They also perform a feasibility analysis. This means checking whether the plan seems possible. These steps help teams improve their proposals before judging.
The Earth track begins with one NASA-owned patent. A patent protects an invention. Teams create a new commercial or nonprofit use for that technology. The use should help solve an important Earth problem. One example could reduce drone noise. Another could improve medical care.
The Space track supports NASA’s Artemis program and future space work. Teams may study power, communication, navigation, or ways to live in space. Astronaut health is another possible area. These ideas support people on the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
Strong teams reach an in-person Pitch Showcase. They explain their plans to expert judges. The judges ask questions, too. Projects joining both tracks may earn an Integration Bonus. This season adds a Faculty Advisors’ Choice Award. It also adds a Next Steps Award for continued project development.
NASA has not listed every eligibility rule in this announcement. Team size and the exact judging schedule remain unclear. Teams should read the official rules before registering. Registration uses NASA STEM Gateway. More details are available at NASA ORBIT’s official site.
Source: NASA’s official announcement
Students Can Think of Ways to Help Earth and Space
📰 Full story: NASA Opens ORBIT’s Second Season for Student Ideas on Earth and in Space
NASA invites college students to think of helpful ideas for Earth and space.
ORBIT
A NASA contest where student teams share helpful ideas.
patent
A rule that protects a new invention.
NASA, the American space agency, has a new student idea contest. NASA ORBIT, a contest for student teams, is back for year two. College students can join teams. They think of ways to help Earth or space. They study a problem first. Then they make a small first model. They check whether their plan can work. Studying and modeling helps ideas become useful.
In the Earth group, students pick a NASA patent. A patent is a rule that protects a new invention. They think of helpful uses for it. Maybe they make drones quieter. Maybe they make tools that help sick people.
In the Space group, students think about the Moon and Mars. Artemis is NASA’s plan for exploring the Moon. Students think about power and talking across space. They also think about finding places and living. They think about astronauts staying well.
Good teams show their plans at a special event. People who know a lot listen and ask questions. Prize money can total 500,000 dollars. Ideas helping both Earth and space may win another prize.
The short announcement does not give every team rule. It does not say how many students join each team. The deadline is November 16, 2026. Teams register through NASA STEM Gateway. Adults can read the official NASA ORBIT rules online.
Source: NASA’s official announcement