Overview
Video for illustrative purposes only. Launched on May 20, 2026, as the fifth in NASA’s TechLeap Prize series, the Robotically Manipulated Payload Challenge aims to advance persistent infrastructure for in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM). Applicants were invited to propose payloads that can interact with, be manipulated by, or be reconfigured by a robotic arm in low Earth orbit. Potential applications included robotic inspection, structural assembly, sensor deployment, material processing, modular systems that can be swapped and upgraded, and more.
Complete competition details
Full Job Description
Video for illustrative purposes only.
Launched on May 20, 2026, as the fifth in NASA’s TechLeap Prize series, the Robotically Manipulated Payload Challenge aims to advance persistent infrastructure for in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM). Applicants were invited to propose payloads that can interact with, be manipulated by, or be reconfigured by a robotic arm in low Earth orbit. Potential applications included robotic inspection, structural assembly, sensor deployment, material processing, modular systems that can be swapped and upgraded, and more.
Nasa Techleap Prize
Robotically Manipulated Payload Challenge
Total Expected Prizes
Up to $1.5 million + flight tests
About the Challenge | Related Webinars | Prior and Ongoing Challenges
About The Challenge
In September 2026, up to three teams will be selected to win up to $500,000 each to develop flight-ready payloads with the opportunity to have their technology demonstrated in orbit at no additional cost. These TechLeap payloads will fly aboard an orbital spacecraft that will rendezvous with the Fly Foundational Robots (FFR) spacecraft expected to launch in late 2027. The TechLeap payloads are slated to launch in early 2028.
Developing robotic systems to perform ISAM in orbit expands what is possible in space. This TechLeap Prize challenge serves as a building block for capabilities such as swapping out a failed component on an orbiting satellite, assembling a structure too large to be launched on any single rocket, or fabricating new parts in orbit from raw materials. Advancing these capabilities supports NASA’s goals for building, sustaining, and pioneering exploration and scientific discovery, including at the Moon Base, humanity’s first lunar outpost.
Learn more about this challenge
Robotically Manipulated Payload Challenge Webinar
Presents key details of the new challenge, provides an overview of ISAM and FFR, and offers tips for preparing an application. A Q&A session is included at the end.
Read The Latest On Nasa's Techleap Prize
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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
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