NASA ORBIT student challenge returns with up to $500,000 in prize funding

What happened

University and college teams can register for the 2026-2027 season through Monday, Nov. 16, 2026, via the NASA STEM Gateway. Teams pick an Earth or Space track, with top performers pitching to judges in person.

Why it may matter

• This is time-bound — there is an application or deadline involved, so check the dates before they pass.
• This is new, so the details are unlikely to be widely known yet.
• Useful if you are trying to find an internship or explore opportunities.
• Comes from the body that decides this, rather than from commentary about it.