NEW CHALLENGE NOW OPEN
The latest NASA TechLeap Prize — the Robotically Manipulated Payload Challenge — is now open. Register by July 29; applications due Aug. 12, 2026. Details below.
Managed by NASA’s Flight Opportunities program, the TechLeap Prize seeks to rapidly identify and develop space technologies through a series of challenges that address specific technology shortfalls for NASA and the nation. TechLeap is open to qualified commercial businesses, academic institutions, entrepreneurs, and other innovators. In addition to a cash prize, winners have an opportunity for a flight test with a commercial provider.
Current Challenge | Current Challenge Webinars | Prior and Ongoing Challenges |
Other TechLeap-Related Webinars | News
Current Challenge
Robotically Manipulated Payload Challenge
Launched on May 20, 2026, NASA’s latest TechLeap Prize — the Robotically Manipulated Payload Challenge — aims to advance persistent infrastructure for in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM). Applicants are invited to propose payloads that can interact with, be manipulated by, or be reconfigured by a robotic arm in low Earth orbit. Potential applications could include robotic inspection, structural assembly, sensor deployment, material processing, or modular systems that can be swapped and upgraded — and more.
In September 2026, up to three teams will be selected to win up to $500,000 each to develop flight-ready payloads with the opportunity to have their technology demonstrated in orbit at no additional cost. These TechLeap payloads will fly aboard an orbital spacecraft that will rendezvous with the Fly Foundational Robots (FFR) spacecraft. The FFR mission is expected to launch in late 2027, and the TechLeap payloads are slated to launch in early 2028.
There will be two informational webinars: June 3 and June 18. Details are below. Subscribe to the Flight Opportunities newsletter to receive news and special announcements about the challenge and other Flight Opportunities activities and opportunities.
Current Challenge Webinars
These webinars are related to the Robotically Manipulated Payload Challenge.
Robotically Manipulated Payload Challenge Webinar: June 3, 2026
Presents key details of the new challenge, provides an overview of ISAM and FFR, and offers tips for preparing an application. A Q&A session is included at the end.
Virtual Information Session: June 18, 2026
Provides more details on submission guidelines and requirements as well as an overview of the submission platform.
Prior and Ongoing Challenges
Space Technology Payload Challenge
Universal Payload Interface Challenge
Nighttime Precision Landing Challenge
Autonomous Observation Challenge (AOC)
View Past Webinars Related to TechLeap
These webinars discussed researcher experiences and provided useful insights related to NASA TechLeap Prize challenges.
Pre-Registration Q&A Webinar February 12
Watch the recording of the informational webinar we hosted on February 12 to learn more about participating in the Space Technology Payload Challenge.
Space Technology Payload Challenge: Jan. 8, 2025 webinar
Speakers covered key details of the challenge, tips for preparing an application, and context to the technology areas the challenge aims to address.
Pre-Launch Q&A: Space Technology Payload Challenge
Before this challenge launched on December 10, 2024, Flight Opportunities hosted a Q&A webinar to help researchers learn more about this TechLeap opportunity.
NASA TechLeap Universal Payload Interface Challenge
This webinar discusses the NASA TechLeap Universal Payload Interface Challenge that is seeking a flight-ready universal payload interface.
Practicing Fly-Fix-Fly: Re-flight Opportunity Through NASA TechLeap Prize
At this webinar, presenters explore the “fly-fix-fly” ethos of the Flight Opportunities program and highlight best practices for quickly advancing space technologies.
The Pace of Space: What's New in Suborbital Flight
This webinar discusses a number of new activities across NASA that influence the suborbital flight community, including TechLeap.
NASA’s TechLeap Prize: Advancing Space Technologies and Innovative Teams
This webinar highlights the unique support that TechLeap provides by offering first-hand insight from winners of the inaugural TechLeap Prize: Autonomous Observation Challenge No. 1.
NASA TechLeap News
Small Companies Win Big in NASA’s TechLeap Challenge
NASA Opportunities Fuel Growth and Entrepreneurship for Bronco Space Club Students
NASA Seeks Development of Universal Payload Interface
NASA Offers Fly-Fix-Fly Testing for SmallSat Planetary Observation
NASA TechLeap Prize Winner Tests Quantum Earth Observation System
Winners of First NASA TechLeap Challenge Take Flight
NASA TechLeap Winners Advance Technology to Aid Lunar Landings
NASA TechLeap Challenge Winners Advance to Next Round
