NASA Announces Winners for 2026 Human Lander Challenge

NASA Announces Winners for 2026 Human Lander Challenge

June 26, 2026

NASA has unveiled the top student-developed solutions for environmental control and life support systems in future crewed lunar landers, following the conclusion of the 2026 Human Lander Challenge. This initiative is part of the agency's Artemis program, aiming to return American astronauts to the Moon in 2028. (nasa.gov)

The challenge, which began in September 2025, saw university teams nationwide design systems to enhance the performance and reliability of life support technologies essential for deep space missions. Final technical presentations were held near NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, on June 25. (nasa.gov)

California Polytechnic State University emerged as the overall winner, receiving a $10,000 award for their Peltier-based Hydration Accumulation Terminal project. Purdue University secured second place with a $5,000 award for their Enhanced Potable Water Dispenser, while Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, took third place with a $3,000 award for their Advanced Quality Orbital Rehydration Assembly project. (nasa.gov)

The Human Lander Challenge is designed to inspire and engage the next generation of engineers and scientists as NASA and its partners prepare to send astronauts to the Moon in preparation for future missions to Mars. The human landing system is the mode of transportation that will take astronauts to the lunar surface and back to lunar orbit under Artemis. (nasa.gov)