NASA Student Aviation Challenge Focuses on Nation’s Infrastructure
NASA’s next Gateways to Blue Skies competition invites collegiate teams to imagine innovative new ways aircraft could inspect land-based infrastructure, such as bridges and tunnels, to improve safety, reliability, and costs by 2035 or sooner. Infrastructure is the foundation of the nation’s strong economy, global competitiveness, and daily quality of life. When that infrastructure is […]
NASA's Gateways to Blue Skies competition challenges college teams to develop innovative aviation solutions for inspecting land-based infrastructure by 2035. Infrastructure, such as bridges, tunnels, highways, railways, and electric grids, is crucial for the nation's economy, competitiveness, and daily life. Aging infrastructure often necessitates costly shutdowns and hazardous working conditions for inspections.
The competition, sponsored by NASA's University Innovation Project, aims to engage multidisciplinary teams of two to six students in conceptualizing new airborne platforms to improve inspection practices. Up to eight finalists will receive $9,000 prizes and present their work to NASA and industry experts in May 2027. Winners may intern with NASA Aeronautics the following academic year.
Interested teams must submit a non-binding Notice of Intent by Oct. 12, 2026, and proposal and video submissions by Feb. 22, 2027.
Written by urgent.news from NASA's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
