NASA is pioneering the future of space exploration as we extend humanity’s presence further into the solar system. The 2024 RASC-AL Competition is seeking undergraduate and graduate teams to develop new concepts that leverage innovation to improve our ability to operate on the Moon, Mars and beyond. Each team’s response should address novel and robust technologies, capabilities, and operational models that support expanding humanity’s ability to thrive beyond Earth. In this year’s RASCAL Competition, teams and their faculty advisors are invited to design and propose innovative solutions with supporting original engineering and analysis in response to one of the four themes:

• Long Duration Mars Simulation at the Moon: Develop an architecture for a long duration simulation of a human mission to Mars conducted at the Moon.
• Sustained Lunar Evolution: Develop an architecture for evolving human presence on the Moon to expand available services and commodities.
• AI-Powered Self-Replicating Probes – an Evolutionary Approach: Develop a concept for an autonomous spacecraft that enhances itself via resources it gathers as it visits multiple low gravity bodies in the solar system.
• Large-Scale Lunar Crater Prospector: Develop a concept for a prospecting rover that can operate for long durations in craters at the lunar south pole.

1. Review the Themes and Competition Guidelines Document.
2. Find a qualified advisor and a diverse team of students.
3. Ensure that your team meets the Eligibility Requirements.
4. Submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) by the submission deadline.
5. Develop and submit a Proposal and Video by the submission deadline.
   1. Proposals are reviewed by the RASC-AL Steering Committee.
   2. Selected teams move to the final phase of the Competition – developing their concept into a 10-15-page technical paper and presentation.
   3. Teams present their concepts to a panel of judges at the annual Forum near NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
   4. Top 2 Overall Winning Teams receive a travel stipend to present their concept at a technical conference.

• Sound Technical/Scientific/Engineering Analysis, Evaluation, and Rationale of Mission Concept
• Synergistic Application of Innovative Approaches, Capabilities, and/or New Technologies
• Realistic Technology Assumptions
• Realistic Preliminary Budget Assessments
• Adherence to Chosen RASC-AL Theme, Mission Objectives, and Guidelines
• Utilization of Excellent English Language, Grammar, and Composition

Website: https://rascal.nianet.org/

Managing Organization: National Institute of Aerospace (NIA)

Contact:

rascal@nianet.org

Eligibility:
The RASC-AL Competition is open to undergraduate and graduate students at an accredited U.S.-based community college, college, or university. Teams may include senior capstone students, clubs, multi-university teams, and/or multi-disciplinary teams. Multi-disciplinary teams and teams from Minority Serving Institutions are highly encouraged to apply. Students attending foreign universities can participate only as team-members/collaborators with a U.S.-led Team. The U.S. team’s primary advisor and student team lead will be the primary point-of-contact and will determine if/how the participation stipend will be distributed to international partner teams for travel to the Forum. All foreign partnering universities must have a faculty advisor whose role is to simply to facilitate the relationship between the U.S.-based university and the international university. For 2024, RASC-AL teams are highly encouraged to engage in partnerships with universities from one of the Artemis Accord signatory countries. For full eligibility information, visit the RASC-AL Competition Website.

Registration Opens: July 27, 2023

Registration Closes: March 7, 2024

NASA is pioneering the future of space exploration as we extend humanity’s presence further into the solar system. The 2024 RASC-AL Competition is seeking undergraduate and graduate teams to develop new concepts that leverage innovation to improve our ability to operate on the Moon, Mars and beyond. Each team’s response should address novel and robust technologies, capabilities, and operational models that support expanding humanity’s ability to thrive beyond Earth. In this year’s RASCAL Competition, teams and their faculty advisors are invited to design and propose innovative solutions with supporting original engineering and analysis in response to one of the four themes:

• Long Duration Mars Simulation at the Moon: Develop an architecture for a long duration simulation of a human mission to Mars conducted at the Moon.
• Sustained Lunar Evolution: Develop an architecture for evolving human presence on the Moon to expand available services and commodities.
• AI-Powered Self-Replicating Probes – an Evolutionary Approach: Develop a concept for an autonomous spacecraft that enhances itself via resources it gathers as it visits multiple low gravity bodies in the solar system.
• Large-Scale Lunar Crater Prospector: Develop a concept for a prospecting rover that can operate for long durations in craters at the lunar south pole.

1. Review the Themes and Competition Guidelines Document.
2. Find a qualified advisor and a diverse team of students.
3. Ensure that your team meets the Eligibility Requirements.
4. Submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) by the submission deadline.
5. Develop and submit a Proposal and Video by the submission deadline.
   1. Proposals are reviewed by the RASC-AL Steering Committee.
   2. Selected teams move to the final phase of the Competition – developing their concept into a 10-15-page technical paper and presentation.
   3. Teams present their concepts to a panel of judges at the annual Forum near NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
   4. Top 2 Overall Winning Teams receive a travel stipend to present their concept at a technical conference.

• Sound Technical/Scientific/Engineering Analysis, Evaluation, and Rationale of Mission Concept
• Synergistic Application of Innovative Approaches, Capabilities, and/or New Technologies
• Realistic Technology Assumptions
• Realistic Preliminary Budget Assessments
• Adherence to Chosen RASC-AL Theme, Mission Objectives, and Guidelines
• Utilization of Excellent English Language, Grammar, and Composition

Website: https://rascal.nianet.org/

Managing Organization: National Institute of Aerospace (NIA)

Contact:

rascal@nianet.org

Eligibility:
The RASC-AL Competition is open to undergraduate and graduate students at an accredited U.S.-based community college, college, or university. Teams may include senior capstone students, clubs, multi-university teams, and/or multi-disciplinary teams. Multi-disciplinary teams and teams from Minority Serving Institutions are highly encouraged to apply. Students attending foreign universities can participate only as team-members/collaborators with a U.S.-led Team. The U.S. team’s primary advisor and student team lead will be the primary point-of-contact and will determine if/how the participation stipend will be distributed to international partner teams for travel to the Forum. All foreign partnering universities must have a faculty advisor whose role is to simply to facilitate the relationship between the U.S.-based university and the international university. For 2024, RASC-AL teams are highly encouraged to engage in partnerships with universities from one of the Artemis Accord signatory countries. For full eligibility information, visit the RASC-AL Competition Website.

Registration Opens: July 27, 2023

Registration Closes: March 7, 2024