NASA Student Launch
It actually IS rocket science! Student Launch is a 9-month long challenge that tasks student teams from across the U.S. to design, build, test, and launch a high-powered rocket carrying a scientific or engineering payload. It is a hands-on, research-based, engineering activity and culminates each year with a final launch in Huntsville, Alabama home of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. The activity offers multiple challenges reaching a broad audience colleges and universities as well as middle and high school aged students across the nation.
Culminating Event Dates
April 10-14, 2024
Culminating event location
Huntsville, AL
ELIGIBILITY
Open to U.S. Students
grade levels
Grades 6-12, College and University
Launch Week Event Details
Rocket Fair
– When: Friday, April 12, 2024, 3-6 p.m.
– Where: Von Braun Center East Hall
Launch Day
– When: Saturday, April 13, 2024. Gates open at 7 a.m. Opening Ceremony Starts at 8:30 a.m.
– Where: Bragg Farms
Handbook and Timeline
2023-2024 Requirements and Timeline
– University Student Launch Initiative (USLI) Division – college and university competitive division
– Student Launch Initiative (SLI) Division – grades 6-12 formal and informal institution division
Frequently Asked Questions
Any updates to rules and requirements are given in the latest version of the 2023-2024 FAQ.
If there is a discrepancy between the SL Handbook and the FAQ, use the information in the latest FAQ list. It is the teams’ responsibility to check the FAQ periodically for updates.
View FAQs
Advanced Rocketry Workshop
Each summer Student Launch offers an Advanced Rocketry Workshop (ARW) for advisors and mentors of our qualifying grades 6-12 teams.
Learn More
Eligibility and Proposals
Student Launch is open to all U.S. colleges and universities, and qualifying grades 6-12 teams.
2024 Student Launch Proposal Period is CLOSED
Learn More
NASA Announces Teams for 2024 Student Launch Challenge
NASA has announced the 70 teams representing 24 states and Puerto Rico selected to compete in the 2024 Student Launch…
Read the Story
NASA High-Powered Rocketry Video Series
Media
Contact Us
Please direct questions and inquiries regarding registration, competition operations or logistics to the challenge organizers listed below.
John Eckhart
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
Office of STEM Engagement
Mail Code CS60
Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812
Email: john.r.eckhart@nasa.gov
Members of the news media interested in attending the NASA Student Launch activities or interviewing participants before or during the event should contact Chris Blair in the Marshall Center’s Public & Employee Communications Office.
Taylor Goodwin
NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center
Public Affairs Office
Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812
Phone: 256-544-0034
Email: taylor.goodwin@nasa.gov
Join Artemis!
Authentic, hands-on learning experiences give students in middle school all the way through graduate school a chance to flex their design and engineering skills as they build and launch high-powered rockets, design robots capable of mining the Moon’s surface or traversing difficult lunar terrain, create human-powered rovers, and test technologies and tools to assist future astronauts working on the Moon.
Learn More about Join Artemis!
