NASA is calling on US student innovators to shape the future of space missions!
NASA has announced that its CubeSat Launch Initiative (CSLI) is now open for proposals for missions planned between 2026 and 2029.
CubeSats are small, affordable spacecraft used by schools, non-profits, and NASA centers to access space. They come in standard sizes (1U, 3U, 6U) and are often used to test and develop new technologies in space.
According to NASA’s website, US educational institutions, non-profits, and informal education institutions are eligible to participate, with an emphasis on workforce development and minority-serving institutions.
Selected teams will get guidance from NASA mission managers and the opportunity to improve their hardware design and development.
“CubeSats give students a hands-on experience in the space industry, which can help launch their careers,” said Jeanie Hall, CSLI program executive at NASA Headquarters.
NASA chooses CubeSat projects each year, focusing on those with educational value that also contribute to our understanding of science, technology, and exploration while supporting education and workforce development.
Proposals are being accepted until November 15, with final selections to be made by March 14, 2025.
Applicants are responsible for funding the development of their CubeSats.
NASA has launched over 160 CubeSats and selected missions from 45 states. Recently, eight CubeSat missions were launched on Firefly Aerospace’s Alpha rocket, including CatSat and KUbeSat-1, which are testing new technologies in space.
Additionally, four CubeSats were deployed from the International Space Station (ISS) as part of NASA’s SpaceX 30th commercial resupply mission.
