C3: COSMIC Capstone Challenge
2024-2025 C3 Final Presentations took place April 14-16.
Results and videos can be found here.
As the COSMIC Workforce Development Focus Area prepares to launch the 2025-2026 C3 challenge, you can now:
Download the Preliminary 2025-2026 Information Packet
Register a university to participate in the 2025-2026 C3 Challenge
Register to be a Team Mentor or Judge for the 2025-2026 C3 Challenge
C3: Background
The COSMIC Capstone Challenge (C3) is a competition to design a payload, to be hosted about the BCT X-Sat Venus Class bus, that will demonstrate a chain of three or more operations that provide an on-orbit, autonomous ISAM capability. Successful projects will engage in the early design work necessary for a complex ISAM mission that could be ready for launch by the end of the decade.
As a conceptual design challenge, C3 invites students to explore the concepts that are the starting point for ambitious orbital missions.
While C3 has recommended milestones, including a Midpoint Showcase in December 2024, the deliverables are the final outbrief (required) and technical paper (recommended) during the April 2025 at the C3 Final Showcase, on which the judge’s scores will be based.
Presentations will be virtual with an in-person options at The Aerospace Corporation in El Segundo, California and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.
Image credit: Shasta High School Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing Program
Capstone Prompt
2024-2025 C3 Poster
Want to be a Mentor?
Experienced professionals — we need you! Become a C3 mentor, judge, or sponsor and inspire the next generation of ISAM leaders. If you are not a COSMIC Member, join COSMIC to participate in C3.
Inspire
Inspire the next generation of engineers, scientists, artists, and other visionaries to engage in, and contribute to ISAM challenges, create new methods, and grow our future workforce.
Innovate
Innovate within C3 and beyond. Mentors could continue design development of promising concepts post-competition, either by providing funding or through internal efforts.
Connect
Connect with fellow ISAM professionals in COSMIC serving as C3 judges, mentors, and sponsors. Identify future job candidates that will develop interest and expertise in ISAM.
A prototype surface lander robot, assembled by Shasta High Students.
Image credit: Shasta High School Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing Program
C3: The Path for Students
Form Your Team
C3 is open to US-based high school and college students. In addition to class-based teams, students can pursue C3 through student clubs, directed study or independent study.