NASA Lunabotics Competition

Organization: NASA

Quick Answer

NASA Lunabotics Competition is a free program run by NASA for high school students in grades 9–12. It takes place in person. Applications are due October 7, 2026. See the key facts table below for cost, eligibility, and application details, and always confirm specifics on the official program site.

Program Overview

University-level robotics competition to design, build, and operate lunar regolith mining robots for simulated Moon environments.

NASA’s Lunabotics Competition is a university-level engineering challenge where student teams design, build, and operate tele-operated or autonomous robots to excavate and transport simulated lunar regolith. The competition is hosted by NASA (most recently by Kennedy Space Center) and focuses on real-world engineering constraints relevant to future Moon missions, such as dust mitigation, power, autonomy, and communication. The program is intended for accredited college and university teams rather than high school students, though some high schoolers may participate indirectly through dual-enrollment or mentorship arrangements with universities. Participants gain hands-on experience in systems engineering, robotics, project management, and teamwork, and they interact with NASA engineers who serve as judges and mentors. These experiences can significantly strengthen a future college applicant’s engineering skills and exposure to space-related careers.

Program Details

Key facts about NASA Lunabotics Competition
Organizer	NASA
Category	General Extracurricular
Format	In-Person
Location	Various locations
Cost	Free
Eligibility	Grades 9–12
Application deadline	October 7, 2026
Country	US
Listing last updated	July 27, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does NASA Lunabotics Competition cost?

NASA Lunabotics Competition is completely free — there is no participation fee. Costs like travel or optional materials may still apply; check the official site for details.

What is the application deadline for NASA Lunabotics Competition?

The application deadline is October 7, 2026. Always confirm on the program's official site, as dates can shift between cycles.

Who is eligible for NASA Lunabotics Competition?

NASA Lunabotics Competition is open to high school students in grades 9–12. Some programs have additional requirements (GPA, coursework, essays, or recommendations) — the full criteria are on the official site.

Is NASA Lunabotics Competition online or in person?

NASA Lunabotics Competition is an in-person program.

How do I apply to NASA Lunabotics Competition?

Apply directly through NASA's official website. ExtracurricularHub links to the official application — we list and verify programs but don't process applications.

Similar Programs You May Like

Explore these related extracurricular opportunities:

NASA CubeSat Launch Initiative - Free | Various
NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge - Free | STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
VEX Robotics World Championship Excellence Award - Free | Dallas
NASA Student Launch - Free | AL
NASA International Space Apps Challenge - Free | Various

Related Guides from Our Blog

How to Build a Spike: Turning One Interest into Stand-Out Activities — Admissions officers look for a spike—clear depth in one interest that shows initiative, impact, and growth. Here's
How to Find Extracurriculars in High School — Find 1,300+ verified extracurriculars with smart filters, a Find My Fit quiz, and tracking tools—everything you need
Ultimate Guide to High-School Extracurriculars for Top Colleges — Learn what admissions officers really look for in extracurriculars, why depth beats breadth, and how to plan

Learn More

Visit the official program website: NASA

ExtracurricularHub — High School Extracurriculars & Summer Programs

Discover 1,700+ verified extracurriculars, summer programs, internships, and competitions for high school students. Browse the full directory or take the Find My Fit quiz.

Browse by Category

Please enable JavaScript for the best experience.