NASA has officially opened registration for the 2027 Human Lander Challenge, a competition designed to engage collegiate teams in solving communication hurdles for long-term lunar exploration. The initiative seeks to improve connectivity between astronauts, surface hardware, and mission control as part of the agency’s ongoing Artemis and Moon Base programs.
According to Jeremy Del Greco, the Human Landing System program communications integration lead at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, establishing dependable networks is vital for the safety and success of future lunar operations. The challenge tasks U.S.-based university teams with developing systems that can be deployed within a three-to-five-year timeframe.
The competition focuses on three primary areas: hardware, including space-rated electronics and antenna signal propagation; software, covering data efficiency and network scheduling; and architecture, which involves designing communication frameworks for both the lunar surface and orbital environments. Participants are encouraged to submit a non-binding notice of intent by October 15, with full proposal packages and video presentations due by March 4, 2027.
Following an initial evaluation, up to 12 finalist teams will be awarded $9,000 each to proceed to the second phase. These finalists will participate in a design review at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, scheduled for June 21–24, 2027. The top three teams from this final stage will divide a $18,000 prize pool. The challenge is managed by the National Institute of Aerospace on behalf of NASA’s Human Landing System Program Office.
Source: NASA
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