NASA Student Launch
It actually IS rocket science! Student Launch is a 9-month long challenge that tasks student teams from across the U.S. to design, build, test, and launch a high-powered rocket carrying a scientific or engineering payload. It is a hands-on, research-based, engineering activity and culminates each year with a final launch in Huntsville, Alabama home of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. The activity offers multiple challenges reaching a broad audience colleges and universities as well as middle and high school aged students across the nation.
About Student Launch
about NASA Student Launch
Culminating Event Dates
April 30 – May 4, 2025
Culminating event location
Huntsville, AL
ELIGIBILITY
Open to U.S. Students
grade levels
Grades 6-12, College and University
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Handbook and Timeline
2024-2025 Requirements and Timeline Coming Soon
– University Student Launch Initiative (USLI) Division ? college and university competitive division
– Student Launch Initiative (SLI) Division ? grades 6-12 formal and informal institution division
View 2023-2024 Handbook
Eligibility and Proposals
Student Launch is open to all U.S. colleges and universities, and qualifying grades 6-12 teams.
2025 Proposal Period Opening Dates Coming Soon
Learn More
Teams
Current and archived Student Launch teams
View Teams
Frequently Asked Questions
If there is a discrepancy between the SL Handbook and the FAQ, use the information in the latest FAQ list. It is the teams’ responsibility to check the FAQ periodically for updates.
View FAQs
Advanced Rocketry Workshop
Each summer Student Launch offers an Advanced Rocketry Workshop (ARW) for advisors and mentors of our qualifying grades 6-12 teams.
Learn More
Launch Week Event Details
Team & Mentor Arrival Day – Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Launch Day – Saturday, May 3, 2025
Back-Up Launch Day – Sunday, May 4, 2025
View Important Details
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NASA High-Powered Rocketry Video Series
Counterpart Document
This document is an informational tool only and does not serve as an instructional guide to building a rocket. Please consult an experienced rocketeer for instructional guidance. Have fun, be safe, and welcome to the world of high-power rockets!
Video Series Playlist
Here you will find a brief video series that will introduce the many elements of high-power rocketry, from materials to launch safety.
flickr
Student Launch Image Gallery
Check out photos of projects from 2023 launch.
See More
Please direct questions and inquiries regarding registration, competition operations or logistics to the challenge organizers listed below.
John Eckhart
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
Office of STEM Engagement
Mail Code CS60
Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812
Email:
john.r.eckhart@nasa.gov
Members of the news media interested in attending the NASA Student Launch activities or interviewing participants before or during the event should contact Taylor Goodwin in the Marshall Center’s Public & Employee Communications Office.
Taylor Goodwin
NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center
Public Affairs Office
Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812
Phone: 256-544-0034
Email:
taylor.goodwin@nasa.gov
Authentic, hands-on learning experiences give students in middle school all the way through graduate school a chance to flex their design and engineering skills as they build and launch high-powered rockets, design robots capable of mining the Moon’s surface or traversing difficult lunar terrain, create human-powered rovers, and test technologies and tools to assist future astronauts working on the Moon.
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