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 22-26, 2026
Culminating event location
Huntsville, AL
ELIGIBILITY
Open to U.S. Students
grade levels
Grades 6-12, College and University
NOTE: This archived content may contain outdated information or references that may not reflect current policy or programs.
Handbook and Timeline
Go to the How to Apply tab for instructions on submitting a proposal.
View 2024-2025 Handbook
Eligibility and Proposals
Student Launch is open to all U.S. colleges and universities, and qualifying grades 6-12 teams. To submit a proposal click the Learn More button.
Learn More
Launch Week Event Details
Team & Mentor Arrival Day – Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Launch Day – Saturday, May 3, 2025
Back-Up Launch Day – Sunday, May 4, 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
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
25 Years of NASA Student Launch
Students from the University of Massachusetts Amherst team carry their high-powered rocket toward the launch pad at NASA’s 2025 Student…
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 Taylor Goodwin 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!
