Phases
The NASA ORBIT Challenge offers an exciting opportunity for student teams to earn recognition, advance their ideas, and compete for a share of up to $500,000 in prize funding. Awards are designed to celebrate innovation at every stage of the challenge and to empower teams to take their concepts to the next level.
Phase 1: Ideation
Non-Competitive Checkpoint
In this kickoff phase, teams register, select their track, and submit their initial concept. You will outline your problem, identify the NASA technology or mission gap you plan to address, and confirm your team’s readiness. Phase 1 ensures that every team begins with a strong foundation. All teams that complete the requirements by the deadline advance to Phase 2.
Phase 2: Design + Development
Judged Milestone Phase
Teams deepen their work by conducting targeted research, refining their concept, creating early mockups or models, and developing feasibility analyses and project plans. Judges evaluate submissions at the end of this phase and select up to ten teams per track to advance as Finalists. These Finalists continue on to share their ideas at the in-person event.
Phase 3: Final Demonstration
Judged In-Person Event
Finalist teams present their work at a live showcase through research posters, technical summaries, pitches, and Q&A sessions with a panel of expert judges. Track winners and specialty awards are determined during this phase. Teams pursuing the Integration Bonus will also demonstrate how their solution effectively bridges both tracks.
Phase 4: Accelerator
Support and Growth Phase
The Accelerator provides professional development opportunities for both Finalists and all participating teams. Finalists receive tailored mentorship and targeted technical and business guidance to advance their concepts, while all participants can join virtual modules covering career development and pathways into NASA’s broader ecosystem.
Timeline
Click on a Phase below to see key dates and milestones.
*Dates are subject to change.