NASA Student Launch

2026–27 · Now: Preliminary Design Review (stage 3 of 7)

2026–27 progress

  1. Proposal (done)Sep 14, 2026
  2. Selected (done)Oct 1, 2026
  3. PDROct 29 – Nov 24, 2026
  4. CDRJan 7 – Feb 3, 2027
  5. FRRMar 8 – 29, 2027
  6. LaunchApr 7 – 11, 2027
  7. PLARApr 26, 2027

Now · stage 3 of 7

Preliminary Design Review

The PDR report, slides, and flysheet, with the final motor choice, are due October 29. Then the team presents its design to a NASA review panel by video teleconference (November 9–24).

Dates from the 2027 Student Launch Handbook (NASA), subject to change. Updated 2026-11-11.

About NASA Student Launch

Run by NASA Marshall Space Flight Center's Office of STEM Engagement (Huntsville, Alabama)

A nine-month challenge in which teams design, build, test, and launch a high-power rocket carrying a scientific or engineering payload.

Teams pass a series of reviews — Preliminary Design, Critical Design, Flight Readiness, and Launch Readiness — before flying in Huntsville, then submit a Post-Launch Assessment Review.

NASA Student Launch on the organizer’s site

First Nations Launch

2026–27 · Now: Planning (stage 1 of 7)

2026–27 progress

  1. PlanningFall 2026
  2. ProposalOct 19 – Dec 7, 2026
  3. PDRNov 30 – Dec 11, 2026
  4. CDRJan 25 – Feb 5, 2027
  5. FRRMar 8 – 26, 2027
  6. LaunchApr 22 – 25, 2027
  7. PLARMay 11, 2027

Now · stage 1 of 7

Planning

The team is planning its entry for the 2026–27 season, which offers Moon, Mars, and Gateway challenges.

Dates from the First Nations Launch 2026–27 calendar (WSGC), subject to change. Updated 2026-11-11.

About First Nations Launch

Run by NASA Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium, Carthage College (Kenosha, Wisconsin)

An international collegiate high-power rocketry competition for students at Tribal Colleges and Universities, Native American–serving institutions, and schools with active AISES chapters.

Through the 2018–19 season, teams competed in Tribal Launch and AISES Launch categories. Since 2020 it has run as a NASA Artemis Student Challenge with Moon, Mars, and Gateway challenges, judged on flight performance and on oral and written reports.

First Nations Launch on the organizer’s site

The NASA insignia and First Nations Launch logo are trademarks of NASA and the NASA Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium. They appear here for identification and for informational and historical purposes only, to show the competitions Bearospace has entered. Their use does not imply endorsement by, or affiliation with, either organization.

Results

SeasonCompetitionCategoryResultSource
2024–25First Nations LaunchMars Challenge oral reportsReport award3rd (Report award)Source: Mars Challenge oral reports, 2024–25
2024–25First Nations LaunchMars Challenge written reportsReport award3rd (Report award)Source: Mars Challenge written reports, 2024–25
2023–24First Nations LaunchMars Challenge2nd (Overall)Source: Mars Challenge, 2023–24
2023–24First Nations LaunchMars Challenge oral reportReport award2nd (Report award)Source: Mars Challenge oral report, 2023–24
2023–24First Nations LaunchMars Challenge written reportReport award2nd (Report award)Source: Mars Challenge written report, 2023–24
2018–19First Nations LaunchAISES Launch1st (Overall)Source: AISES Launch, 2018–19
2017–18First Nations LaunchAISES Launch3rd (Overall)Source: AISES Launch, 2017–18
2016–17First Nations LaunchAISES Launch2nd (Overall)Source: AISES Launch, 2016–17

Results are listed as UCLA in the organizer’s records. Earlier and unconfirmed results are kept out of this log until they are verified.