Resource Library
The NASA ORBIT Challenge connects students with the same tools, technologies, and strategic priorities that drive real NASA missions. This Resources hub highlights key platforms where teams can explore NASA-developed innovations, identify mission needs, and gather the technical foundation required to build strong, impactful concepts.
NASA Patent Portfolio
NASA’s Patent Portfolio showcases hundreds of groundbreaking technologies developed across the agency’s research centers. These patents represent decades of innovation in fields such as materials science, robotics, propulsion, aerospace systems, sensors, and environmental technologies. ORBIT Earth teams may use this portfolio to select a NASA-owned patent that anchors their concept, adapting NASA-developed inventions into real products, services, or solutions that benefit life on Earth. Students can browse the full catalog and access detailed technical descriptions through the NASA Technology Transfer Portal.
NASA Software Catalog
The NASA Software Catalog provides access to a wide range of powerful, mission-tested software tools created for aerospace, data science, robotics, modeling, simulation, and more. These packages are released to the public at no cost, making them valuable building blocks for teams developing Earth-focused innovations. ORBIT Earth participants may select NASA software as their required intellectual property, using these tools to accelerate development, enhance capability, or unlock new technical possibilities within their proposed solution.
NASA Civil Space Shortfalls
NASA’s Civil Space Shortfalls outline the capability gaps, technical challenges, and mission needs that must be addressed to enable future exploration – from Artemis lunar missions to deep-space operations. These shortfalls identify where new ideas, systems, or technologies are most urgently needed across spacecraft design, habitats, science instruments, communications, mobility, and mission operations. ORBIT Space teams will use this resource to select a specific shortfall as the foundation of their project, ensuring that their concepts directly support real NASA exploration priorities.