Caltech Space Challenge

International space mission design competition for graduate students with help from experts from JPL, Caltech, and industry 🛰
March 22-27, 2026 🚀

[Caltech Space Challenge @CaltechSC]

Team Voyager won the 2026 Caltech Space Challenge with SEAHORSE, a mission concept combining a comet P/2005 T4 (SWAN) flyby with a multi-year orbital campaign at Venus. Congratulations to both Team Voyager and Team Explorer for an exceptional week of mission design.

[Caltech Space Challenge @CaltechSC]

The 2026 Caltech Space Challenge concluded with a closing ceremony at The Athenaeum, hosted by the KISS and the CSC organizing committee. The evening featured remarks from Mike Watkins, Richard Cook, and Ilana Gat. Concluding with lead judge Carol Raymond announcing the winner.

[Caltech Space Challenge @CaltechSC]

Five days of intense work culminated in final presentations from Team Voyager and Team Explorer, judged by JPL and industry leaders Mike Watkins, Fred Hadaegh, Garrett Reisman, and Carol Raymond.

[Caltech Space Challenge @CaltechSC]

In addition to their work sessions, 2026 Caltech Space Challenge students toured NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and explored Caltech labs and facilities, including the Dabiri, Pellegrino, and Chung labs, CAST, and the Aerospace wind tunnels.

[Caltech Space Challenge @CaltechSC]

Last week, Team Voyager and Team Explorer took on the 2026 Caltech Space Challenge: designing a dual-target mission to investigate the history of water and volatiles in the inner solar system, with comet P/2005 T4 (SWAN) and Venus as their targets.

[Caltech Space Challenge @CaltechSC]

Welcome to the 2026 Caltech Space Challenge! 🚀 We’re excited to host 32 grad students for a week of space mission design, teamwork, and mentorship.

Thank you to our generous donors: KISS, JPL, Department of Aerospace, Caltech CAST, DCubed, Honeybee Robotics, PARSEC, and OKSI.

[Caltech Space Challenge @CaltechSC]

If you or your company is interested in supporting this initiative, please consider donating at the following link: https://t.co/TpP5M3j8dj

Please email us at [email protected] if you would like to discuss our sponsorship package before sending your donation.

[Caltech Space Challenge @CaltechSC]

On behalf of the 2026 Caltech Space Challenge organizers, we are eager to start next year's challenge and appreciate the help from our current sponsors.

[Caltech Space Challenge @CaltechSC]

Lt. Gen. Larry James, the Interim Director of JPL, kicked off the Caltech Space Challenge 2022 with an exciting overview of JPL. What an amazing way to start the competition! 🚀
#caltechspacechallenge #caltechspacechallenge2022 #caltech

[Caltech Space Challenge @CaltechSC]

Six days to go until applications for the Caltech Space Challenge close! This is your chance to be part of this exciting space mission design challenge, apply now at https://t.co/hqGTRSYNVy 🚀

[NASAJPL Edu @NASAJPL_Edu]

Calling all undergrad & grad students – Apply now for the @Caltech Space Challenge!

Join space exploration experts & peers from around the world to design a space mission concept from scratch.

All disciplines & nationalities welcome! Apply by Nov. 1.

https://t.co/fIbcISlQOA

[NASA JPL @NASAJPL]

📢 Students, ever dream of creating your own mission? Apply to the @CaltechSC Space Challenge where 32 students will be brought to campus & split into teams to take part in a weeklong mission design competition in 2022. Applications are open until Nov. 1: https://t.co/yZ6PKuLG98

[Caltech Space Challenge @CaltechSC]

@haygenwarren @NASAJPL This competition is only for college students, undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply. But this is a biennial event, for high school students we recommend applying for the next edition!

[Caltech Space Challenge @CaltechSC]

Apply now and be part of this international space mission design competition at Caltech. Design a sample return mission to Titan with guidance from experts from JPL and industry.
Explore Titan with us! 🚀
Open for US and international students!
Apply now: https://t.co/hqGTRTgpk8

[Caltech Space Challenge @CaltechSC]

Are you a full-time undergraduate or graduate student and passionate about space exploration? Then it is time to apply to be part of this international student competition hosted by Caltech with guidance from experts from JPL and industry.
https://t.co/UP8v3J2dDm

[Caltech Space Challenge @CaltechSC]

Are you around Caltech next week? If yes, don't hesitate to check out our public lecture series! This year, they will be focusing on searching for traces of life on Saturn's moon Enceladus! You will learn about Enceladus science, astrobiology, small rover…https://t.co/4oBjlDWVom

[Caltech Space Challenge @CaltechSC]

We are very excited to announce that Northrop Grumman is officially sponsoring the Caltech Space Challenge 2019! Northrop Grumman had always been very excited about the Challenge and our participants will have the unique opportunity to interact with North…https://t.co/k8qKKuSmpF

[Caltech Space Challenge @CaltechSC]

We are very excited to announce that Northrop Grumman is officially sponsoring the Caltech Space Challenge 2019! Northrop Grumman had always been very excited about the Challenge and our participants will have the unique opportunity to interact with North…https://t.co/I4ejitDFZt

[Caltech Space Challenge @CaltechSC]

The application period for the 2019 Caltech Space Challenge has begun! Apply online today: https://t.co/itOIG1sF3v

[Caltech Space Challenge @CaltechSC]

The Caltech Space Challenge 2019 is only 6 months away! Are you interested in partnering with some students in aerospace and other STEM subjects from Caltech and all around the world? Become a Caltech Space Challenge sponsor! You will have the opportunity…https://t.co/dbP7PtHL15