CONGRATULATIONS TO NASA's 2026 HULC WINNERS!

First Place

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, “PHAT: Peltier-based Hydration Accumulation Terminal”

Second Place

Purdue University, “Enhanced Potable Water Dispenser (EPWD)”

Third Place

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, “Advanced Quality Orbital Rehydration Assembly (AQUORA)”

OTHER AWARDS

Best Prototype

Texas Tech University, “Acoustic Metamaterial Composite Panel (AMP) for Spacecraft Noise Suppression”

Best Poster

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, “STREAM: Space Temperature Regulated Efficient Aqua Module”

Best Innovation

New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, “Sensor Package for Internal Detection in Extraterrestrial Regions (SPIDER)”

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

NASA’s 2026 HUMAN LANDER CHALLENGE FINALISTS

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, “CQC: Cryogenic Quick Connection”
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, “MASS: Modular Acoustic Suppression System”
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, “PHAT: Peltier-based Hydration Accumulation Terminal”
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, “Advanced Quality Orbital Rehydration Assembly (AQUORA)”
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, “AETHER: Atmospheric Electrochemical Transformation for Habitat and Environmental Regeneration”
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 Composite Panel (AMP) for Spacecraft Noise Suppression”
The Ohio State University (Withdrawn from Phase 2)
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, “STREAM: Space Temperature Regulated Efficient Aqua Module”
University of California, Davis, “Evaporator-Based Potable Water Dispenser for Long-Duration Environmental Control and Life Support Systems”

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