NASA’s Revolutionary Aerospace Systems Concepts – Academic Linkage (RASC-AL) Competition fuels innovation for aerospace systems concepts, analogs, and technology prototyping by bridging gaps through university and college engagement. RASC-AL is open to undergraduate and graduate university-level students studying fields with applications to space exploration (i.e., aerospace, bio-medical, electrical, and mechanical engineering; and life, physical, and computer sciences). RASC-AL projects allow students to incorporate their coursework into real aerospace design concepts and work together in a team environment. Interdisciplinary teams are encouraged.
Through RASC-AL, student teams and their faculty advisors will design innovative solutions with supporting original engineering and analysis in response to one of the following themes:
- Sustained Lunar Evolution – An Inspirational Moment
- Advanced Science Missions and Technology Demonstrators for Human-Mars Precursor Campaign
- Small Lunar Servicing and Maintenance Robot
In 2025, up to 14 Finalist Teams may be chosen to compete at the RASC-AL Competition Forum in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Each team will receive a monetary award to facilitate full participation in the RASC-AL Competition Forum. The top 2 overall winning teams will be invited to present their design projects to industry experts at a major aerospace conference in 2025, such as AIAA ASCEND Conference (with additional travel stipends provided).
The deadline to submit a Notice of Intent is Thursday, October 10, 2024. Interested teams are strongly encouraged to submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) to compete before the proposal deadline to stay informed of competition news, and for program staff to ensure an adequate number of proposal reviewers.