Photo: NASA
NASA’s Gateway to Blue Skies is an annual competition that challenges students to create visionary, climate-friendly solutions for the future of aviation. Our mission is to take on this challenge and think beyond conventional limits, working together and outside the box to solve modern aviation problems. We submit our initial project proposal to NASA in February and, if approved, receive $9,000 for our project to move on to the National competition at NASA Langley in May. Winning teams receive an internship with NASA.
Form design teams (max of 6)
Brainstorm and identify innovative solutions to the given challenge theme
Interview users, industry professionals, and academics to gain a deeper understanding of modern issues
Design and iterate on ambitious and realistic sustainable technologies
Write a seven-page technical paper and film a two-minute video of the proposed idea to be submitted to NASA
Gain hands-on experience in collaboration, entrepreneurship, and design
Technical writing
Design and analysis of multi-year action plans, including budgeting, risk analysis, and regulatory analysis
Communication and interviewing skills
Computer-aided design/3D modeling
Multiple finalist teams selected in 2024 and 2025
