Building the Moon Starts on Earth.
In 2027, the Lunabotics Challenge celebrates its 17th year of bridging the gap between classroom engineering and the rigorous demands of lunar surface operations. As we prepare for the next era of Artemis missions, we invite your organization to build the future engineering workforce alongside the Astronauts Memorial Foundation, Caterpillar, and NASA.
The Lunabotics Challenge is where mission-minded students build the technologies that will help enable a sustained human presence on the Moon. By inviting students from higher education institutions to apply NASA’s Systems Engineering principles to design and build a prototype off-world construction robot. Participants will develop a robot capable of performing construction operations that support future space exploration objectives.
About the Challenge
Some of the Challenge Deliverables include Project Management Plan, Career Engagement Report, Presentation and Demonstration, Systems Engineering Paper, Robot Data Report, Proof of Life Video, and a functional Prototype Robot.
The prototype robot demonstrates capabilities outlined in the challenge guidebook and to provide construction data for future off-world operations. This initiative aligns with NASA’s progressive approach to space exploration – using experiences gained in low Earth orbit and lunar missions as stepping stones toward the ultimate goal of sending humans to Mars.
Eligibility
Open to all students attending institutions located in The United States, its Commonwealths, territories, or possessions.
Grade Level
Institutions of higher learning, career / technical education programs, trade schools, community colleges, two-year or four-year colleges and universities.
Become a Sponsor in the 17th Annual NASA Lunabotics Challenge
Lunabotics offers more than brand visibility. For sponsors, Lunabotics delivers more than logo placement. It provides a direct connection to the future engineering workforce, executive-level thought leadership opportunities, and broadcast visibility to a national audience while your brand is associated with the mission of building the next generation of lunar infrastructure. The challenge offers a direct pipeline to the innovators, roboticists, and systems engineers who will build the lunar infrastructure of tomorrow.
Sponsorship value at a glance
Direct Pipeline: Connect with 30–50 elite university teams (15–20 students each) focused on autonomous excavation, mobility, and resource utilization.
National Broadcast Reach: Showcase your brand across 8 days of live competition coverage reaching an estimated 24,000–56,000+ targeted views.
Recruiting + workforce engagement activations designed to create real conversations
Persistent Year-Round Impact: Our competition broadcast is not just an event, it’s a vital archival resource. Teams and educators study, research, and review this high-definition footage throughout the entire year to inform their designs for future competitions, ensuring your brand’s presence remains active long after the event concludes.
Executive Positioning: Align your organization with NASA’s mission to return to the moon, the Astronauts Memorial Foundation’s mission to Honor, Inspire, Educate, and 17 years of proven STEM innovation.
