NASA’s 2026 HUMAN LANDER CHALLENGE FINALISTS ANNOUNCED!

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, “Cryogenic Quick Connect (CQC)”
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, “Modular Acoustic Suppression System (MASS)”
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, “Peltier-based Hydration Accumulation Terminal (PHAT)”
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, “Advanced Quality Orbital Rehydration Assembly (AQUORA)”
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, “Atmospheric Electrochemical Transformation for Habitat and Environmental Regeneration (AETHER)”
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, “Sensor Package for Internal Detection In Extraterrestrial Regions (SPIDER)”
Purdue University, “Enhanced Potable Water Dispenser (EPWD)”
Purdue University, “Microgravity Blood Infusion Pump”
Texas Tech University, “Acoustic Metamaterial Panel for Spacecraft Noise Suppression”
The Ohio State University, “Standardized Universal Lunar Fluid Interface (SULFi)”
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, “Space Temperature Regulated Efficient Aqua Module (STREAM)”
University of California, Davis, “Evaporator-Based Potable Water Dispenser (EBPWD) for Long-Duration Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS)”

2026 CHALLENGE THEME
Long Duration Spaceflight Environmental Control Life Support System (ECLSS)

As human exploration pushes beyond low Earth orbit toward sustained lunar presence and future missions to Mars, the role of Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS) becomes increasingly vital. Designing ECLSS for deep space is uniquely challenging due to mission duration, limited resupply, and extreme environmental conditions. NASA’s 2026 Human Lander Challenge (HuLC) invites collegiate student teams to develop innovative, systems-level solutions that improve critical aspects of Environmental Control Life Support System (ECLSS) performance. The potential solutions that teams can propose include, but are not limited to, the following sub-topic areas:

  • Noise Suppression and Control
  • Sensor Reduction in Hardware Health Monitoring Systems
  • Potable Water Dispenser
  • Fluid Transfer Between Surface Assets on the Moon and Mars

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2025 HuLC WINNERS!

First Place
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, “Electrical Capacitance to High-resolution Observation (ECHO)”
Second Place
Old Dominion University, “Structural Tensegrity for Optimized Retention in Microgravity (STORM)”
Third Place
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, “THERMOS: Translunar Heat Rejection and Mixing for Orbital Sustainability”
Best Prototype
Ohio State University, “Autonomous Magnetized Cryo-Couplers with Active Alignment Control for Propellant Transfer (AMCC-ACC)”
Best Presentation
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, “ECLIPSE: Efficient Cryogenic Low Invasive Propellant Supply Exchange”
Best Poster
Washington State University, “CYPRESS (CrYogenic Performance REfueling Safety System) Coupler for Liquid Hydrogen Transfer”

There will be a 2026 Human Lander Student Competition.
Please check back in late August for Updates!

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