NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge 2027

Overview

A nine-month NASA engineering challenge in which student teams design and build a human-powered or remote-controlled rover for a simulated lunar terrain course, then compete in person at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama in April 2027. There's no entry fee and no geographic restriction — proposals are due 17 September 2026 at 8:00 a.m. Central Time, after which teams pass a series of design and readiness reviews before the final event.

About NASA (Marshall Space Flight Center)

NASA's Human Exploration Rover Challenge, run by Marshall Space Flight Center, invites international student teams to design, build and race a human-powered rover across a simulated extraterrestrial obstacle course, with team proposals open globally even though the final event is held in Huntsville, Alabama.

Coverage & Financial Benefits

• No registration or application fee
• Open to US and international teams
• Hands-on engineering experience mirroring real NASA mission design reviews
• Final excursion event held at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center site in Huntsville

Requirements & Eligibility

• Team from a middle school, high school, college or university (grades 6-12 or higher ed)
• Submit a proposal by 17 September 2026, 8:00 a.m. Central Time
• Pass Design, Operational Readiness, Mission Readiness and Excursion Readiness reviews
• Team must be able to travel to Huntsville, Alabama for the final event

Required Documents

How to Apply

1. 1Register your team and submit a required proposal describing your rover design concept for review.
2. 2Build and test your rover according to the challenge's technical requirements once your proposal is accepted.
3. 3Travel to Huntsville, Alabama to compete in the final race event, where rovers are judged on speed, design and problem-solving.