NASA USLI
2026–2027 Season
What is NASA USLI?
NASA's University Student Launch Initiative is a national competition where college teams design, build, test, and fly reusable high-powered rockets and payloads through a rigorous engineering review process.
Our 2026–2027 Mission
Mission requirements, vehicle and payload details, milestones, reports, and results will be published here as the team advances through the season.
Season Timeline
NASA USLI College/University Division dates. Dates are subject to change.
August 2026
Request for Proposal released
Proposal Expectations Webinar
September 2026
Proposal due to NASA by 8:00 a.m. CT
October 2026
Awarded proposals announced
Season kickoff and PDR Q&A
PDR report, presentation slides, and flysheet due by 8:00 a.m. CT
November 2026
PDR video teleconferences
NASA Gateway registration deadline
December 2026
CDR Q&A
Huntsville rosters due for the culminating event
January 2027
Subscale Flight deadline
CDR report, presentation slides, flysheet, and transmitter data sheet due by 8:00 a.m. CT
CDR video teleconferences
February 2027
Team photos due
FRR Q&A
March 2027
Vehicle Demonstration Flight deadline
FRR report, presentation slides, and flysheet due by 8:00 a.m. CT
FRR video teleconferences
Payload Demonstration Flight and Vehicle Demonstration Re-flight deadlines
FRR Addendum due by 8:00 a.m. CT for teams completing demonstration flights or re-flights
Launch Week Q&A
April 2027
Teams arrive in Huntsville, Alabama
All-day Launch Week events
Launch Day
Backup Launch Day
Post-Launch Assessment Review due by 8:00 a.m. CT
Project Documents
Reports and milestone documents from LUNAR's 2026–2027 NASA USLI campaign.
Season Gallery
