The Mars Society is excited to announce the Fifth Annual International Mission to Mars Engineering Design Competition, a dynamic virtual summer program open to high school students ages 13–19 worldwide. The program will run June 8 through July 10, 2026, offering students an immersive opportunity to tackle real-world challenges related to human exploration of the Red Planet.
During this five-week competition, students will think and work like aerospace engineers and mission planners by designing a comprehensive human mission to Mars lasting up to 18 months. Working together in teams, participants will develop mission concepts addressing key aspects of Mars exploration, including:
- Habitats and life support systems
- Scientific instruments and research goals
- Power generation and sustainability solutions
- Rovers, vehicles, and surface mobility strategies
- Crew composition and mission operations
Throughout the program, students will participate in live online lectures, workshops, and discussions led by leading scientists, engineers, and experts from NASA, the aerospace industry, and academia. These sessions provide valuable insight into real-world space exploration while helping students strengthen their STEM problem-solving, teamwork, and critical thinking skills—experience that can stand out on college and scholarship applications.
The competition is supervised by Nicole Willett, Education Director of the Mars Society, who brings extensive experience in STEM education and youth outreach. Under her guidance, students receive mentorship while exploring potential future careers in science, engineering, and space exploration.
The entire program is conducted virtually, allowing students from around the world to participate and collaborate with peers who share a passion for space and STEM.
Application Deadline: May 15, 2026 (5:00 PM PST) – For full details and to apply, please click here.
Educators are encouraged to share this opportunity with their students, and the poster for the program may be printed and distributed to help inspire participation.
If you have questions about the 2026 summer competition, please contact Nicole Willett at nicolew@marssociety.org.
If you’ve ever dreamed of helping humanity reach Mars, Summer 2026 may be your launch window.
