Competition format & key facts
Organized detailsOverview
NASA's Orbital Clarity Challenge is accepting U.S.-eligible applicants for low-cost, scalable approaches to measure thermospheric density, pressure or drag in low Earth orbit.
Complete competition details
Phase 1 registration closes 28 October 2026 and Phase 1 submissions close 11 November 2026. Across three phases, NASA plans to advance up to four winners toward flight-ready solutions. The total award pool is $2 million; each winner may receive up to $500,000 across the phases, and NASA intends to offer winning teams an in-orbit flight test at no cost.
Eligibility requirements
Individuals must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 18 or older. Organizations must be incorporated in and maintain a primary place of business in the United States. Teams must be composed of otherwise eligible individuals or organizations and led by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident age 18 or older. The official rules describe limited participation conditions for certain foreign nationals on otherwise eligible teams.
Tips for this competition
Practical Job and Scholarship guidance. These tips do not replace official rules or create new eligibility requirements.
- Study the scoring criteria and previous winners before deciding what evidence, prototype, essay, research or portfolio will best support the entry.
- Confirm country, age, team, education and organization restrictions and whether one person may enter multiple submissions.
- Follow the required file format, word/time limits and naming rules exactly; technical non-compliance can disqualify a strong entry.
- Keep proof of submission and submit before the deadline rather than relying on the final hour.
Verification notes
Official NASA TechLeap challenge home page and rules verified 7 September 2026. The 28 October date is the Phase 1 registration close; the 11 November submission close is preserved in details. Award and eligibility claims are from the official challenge rules.
Job and Scholarship is the discovery and verification layer. Confirm eligibility, dates, salary/funding and application instructions on the original source before submitting anything.
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