NASA launches 2026 challenge for lunar builder robots

On September 8, 2025, NASA publicly announced its 2026 Lunabotics challenge aimed at encouraging innovative engineering and robotics designs for future lunar missions. This initiative is part of NASA's broader Artemis program, which focuses on establishing human presence beyond Earth. The challenge invites teams and individuals to develop a robot capable of moving effectively on the moon's surface and constructing vital infrastructure, specifically berms made from lunar regolith. These berms are essential for safety, providing protective barriers during landings and launches, as well as shielding for cryogenic propellant tank farms and nuclear power plants. This annual competition, established in 2010, plays a crucial role in developing new technologies for moon and Mars infrastructure, aligning with NASA's goal to cultivate 21st-century skills among students and emerging professionals. Robert Mueller, senior technologist at NASA, emphasized the importance of mastering skills in engineering, manufacturing, and coding, which are essential for the workforce that will address the future needs of space exploration. Selected teams will be invited to the finals at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex's Artemis Arena, where they will showcase their robots in May 2026. The top teams will compete for the Lunabotics Grand Prize and have the opportunity to participate in an exhibition event. The call for creativity in robotic design reflects a greater strategy at NASA to enhance lunar capabilities ahead of missions planned under the Artemis umbrella. Future lunar missions will rely heavily on successful implementation and deployment of robotic technology to aid human explorers. By building infrastructure and using automated systems, NASA aims to increase efficiency and safety in the challenging lunar environment. The challenge not only cultivates technical expertise but also fosters teamwork and innovative problem-solving among participants, which are vital competencies for the next generation of engineers and scientists. This announcement follows a recent revelation regarding another NASA competition that focuses on the design of a specialized space wheel aimed to enhance mobility in off-Earth terrains. Such competitions encourage invention and practical application of knowledge, contributing long-term to national interests in space exploration and technology development. The Lunabotics challenge also provides a platform to engage educational institutions, promoting STEM-related disciplines and fostering public interest in space exploration, which is increasingly seen as a frontier for international collaboration and technological advancements.