Launched in 2021, the TechLeap Prize seeks to rapidly identify and develop space technologies through a series of challenges that each address a specific technology need for NASA and the nation. In addition to a cash prize, winners also receive access to a suborbital or orbital flight opportunity on a commercial flight platform. Managed by NASA’s Flight Opportunities program, TechLeap is conducted under the America COMPETES Act and is administered by Carrot, NASA’s Tournament Lab contractor.
Details about the TechLeap Prize | The Challenges | Webinars | News
Challenge Details
Who is eligible to apply?
TechLeap is open to qualified commercial businesses, academic institutions, entrepreneurs, and other innovators.
Visit the TechLeap website
Universal Payload Integration Challenge (UPIC)
This challenge invites applicants to propose an optimized “system of systems” to enable easy integration of diverse technology payloads onto various commercial suborbital vehicles, orbital platforms, and planetary landers. The proposed universal payload interfaces should seamlessly adapt a wide range of small space payloads — be they technologies, laboratory instruments, or scientific experiments —for flight testing.
Learn more about UPIC
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More About the TechLeap Prize Challenges
Autonomous Observation Challenge (AOC)
Nighttime Precision Landing (NPL) Challenge
Universal Payload Interface Challenge (UPIC)
View Webinars Related to TechLeap
Part of our Community of Practice series, these webinars discussed researcher experiences and providing useful insights related to TechLeap.
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
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
