COSMIC Capstone Challenge (C3): Professor Information Page

What is the COSMIC Capstone Challenge (C3)?

The COSMIC Capstone Challenge (C3) challenges tomorrow’s aerospace leaders today!

This year-long national competition introduces students to ISAM (In-space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing) and challenges student teams to select from four specialized challenge tracks to develop conceptual missions & designs for spacecraft operations in orbit or on the lunar surface

Under the guidance of faculty advisors, as well as industry mentors, students will engage in the early design work necessary for a complex ISAM mission that could be ready for launch near the end of the decade.

Learn more about COSMIC and our mission here

Why Should You Participate?

Receive mentorship and guidance from industry leaders at NASA, Northrop Grumman, The Aerospace Corporation, and other premier aerospace organizations driving innovation in space technology.

Position yourself for career success by building relationships with industry professionals who are actively looking to mentor, hire, and champion talented students entering the aerospace field.

Take the national stage to present your designs and walk away with actionable expert guidance that will sharpen your technical skills and strengthen your competitive edge

Provide your students with experiential learning that includes industry mentorship, structured deliverables, and national presentation opportunities that enhance your program’s visibility.

Partner with seasoned aerospace professionals who serve as co-mentors, bringing cutting-edge industry perspectives that enhance your curriculum

Enhance your institution by showcasing direct partnerships with elite aerospace organizations that students aspire to join

Who Can Join

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.

Anyone who is interested in In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM) or engineering capstones broadly.

Key Dates

The C3 competition begins in July as the Information Packet is formally released, and when
universities are encouraged to register their interest.

From there, C3 generally runs from early September to mid-April, with registration closing in August. While C3 has recommended milestones, including a Midpoint Showcase, the main deliverables are the Final Outbrief (required) and technical paper (recommended), both due before the C3 Final Showcase, on which the judge’s scores will be based.

Milestone	General Timeframe
Preferred Registration Deadline	Early August
Virtual On-boarding Session for Students (Recorded for later registrants)	Early – Mid September
Virtual On-boarding Session for Teams and Mentors (Recorded for later registrants)	Early – Mid September,
Late Registration Deadline*	Early October
Midpoint Showcase	Early December
Presentation and judging	Mid April