NASA/Air Force University Nanosatellite 2026 Mission Concept Program
The 2026 Mission Concept Program offers university teams a unique opportunity to conceive, design, and mature innovative small sat mission concepts that address real-world space exploration, science, and technology challenges.
This competitive, systems-focused educational program engages multidisciplinary student teams in the early phases of spacecraft mission development – emphasizing mission formulation, requirements definition, architecture trades, and concept-level design. Participants work within realistic constraints and timelines while receiving guidance aligned with NASA and Defense space mission practices.
Through the 2026 Mission Concepts program, students gain hands-on experience translating scientific and engineering ideas into credible mission concepts, preparing them to contribute immediately to the nation’s space workforce.
The solicitation (link above) is currently open with proposals (on PDF format) due by 5:00 PM, MT, February 6, 2026.
Participation in the 2026 Mission Concept Program delivers strategic value to universities by:
- Strengthening Experiential Learning
The program provides a high-impact, project-based learning environment that integrates classroom instruction with authentic aerospace mission development. - Enhancing Workforce Readiness
Students develop critical systems engineering, mission design, and team leadership skills that are directly aligned with industry, NASA, and Space Force needs. - Building Multidisciplinary Collaboration
The program encourages collaboration across engineering, computer science, physics, and related disciplines – mirroring how modern space missions are conceived and executed. - Increasing Institutional Visibility
Participation demonstrates a university’s commitment to space innovation, student excellence, and national research priorities, strengthening engagement with federal agencies and industry partners. - Creating Pathways to Future Funding and Programs
Mission Concept can serve as precursors to future flight programs, research proposals, and partnerships under NASA, DoW, and commercial space initiatives.
For students, the 2026 Mission Concept Program is a career-defining opportunity to:
- Work on Realistic Space Missions
Students are challenged to think like professional mission designers, addressing constraints such as mass, power, communications, orbit selection, and risk. - Gain Systems Engineering Experience
Participants learn how complex space systems are architected and integrated – skills highly sought after across the aerospace sector. - Develop Leadership and Team Skills
The program emphasizes collaboration, technical communication, and decision-making within diverse, high-performing teams. - Stand Out to Employers and Graduate Programs
Mission Concept experience signals readiness for NASA centers, national laboratories, aerospace companies, and advanced graduate study. - Contribute to the Future of Space Exploration
Students help shape innovative mission ideas that address pressing scientific, technological, and exploration challenges.
The 2026 Mission Concept Program is ideal for:
- Undergraduate juniors/seniors and graduate students
- Multidisciplinary teams with interests in spacecraft design, systems engineering, autonomy, communications, science payloads, and mission operations
- Universities seeking to expand or strengthen their space-focused academic and research portfolios