


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.
Activity timeline
August 2023 – May 2024
PROPOSAL PERIOD
Closed
Culminating Event Location
Huntsville, AL
Culminating Event Dates
April 10, 2024 – April 16, 2024
Participation Eligibility
Student Launch is open to all U.S. colleges and universities, and qualifying grades 6-12 teams.
Learn More
Handbook
The Student Launch 2023-2024 Handbook for USLI and SLI Divisions is now live!
– University Student Launch Initiative (USLI) Division – college and university competitive division
– Student Launch Initiative (SLI) Division – grades 6-12 formal and informal institution division

How to Apply
Instructions on submitting a proposal for the 2023-2024 Student Launch Challenge coming soon!
Check back in August for updates.
Read More

Timeline
The Student Launch 2023-2024 timeline and schedule coming soon!
Check back in August for updates.
View Timeline
Frequently Asked Questions
Any updates to rules and requirements are given in the latest version of the 2022-2023 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
Student Launch Gallery
Check out photos of projects from this year's launch.
See More
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!
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Contact Us
Please direct questions and inquiries regarding registration, competition operations or logistics to the challenge organizers listed below.
Fred Kepner
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
Office of STEM Engagement
Mail Code CS60
Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812
Email: Fred.Kepner@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.
Chris Blair
NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center
Public Affairs Office
Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812
Phone: 256-544-0034
Email: christopher.e.blair@nasa.gov