Launched in December 2024, the NASA TechLeap Prize Space Technology Payload Challenge (STPC) sought solutions that address a wide variety of NASA’s technology shortfalls to meet future exploration, science, and other mission needs. Announced on June 26, 2025, 10 selected teams have the chance to win up to $500,000 each plus the opportunity for a flight test to develop and advance their payloads.
The teams’ technologies are expected to begin flight testing in summer 2026 aboard either a suborbital rocket-powered vehicle, a high-altitude balloon, a parabolic flight, or an orbital vehicle that can host payloads. More information about the challenge and the 10 winning teams’ solutions appears below.
NASA Techleap prize
Space Technology Payload Challenge
selections announced
June 26, 2025
Number of Awardees
10
Total Expected Prizes
Up to $5 million + flight tests
About the Challenge | Meet the Winners | Prior Challenges | Related Webinars
About the Challenge
Addressing NASA’s Technology Shortfalls
To participate in this challenge, individuals, teams, and organizations were invited to submit applications for systems that advance technology to address one or more of NASA’s technology shortfalls or the Commercially Enabled Rapid Space Science Initiative. The challenge was divided into two groups. The first group was derived from the Space Technology Mission Directorate civil space shortfall list released in July 2024. The second group was developed in partnership with NASA’s Biological and Physical Sciences Division in the Science Mission Directorate and derived from the Commercially Enabled Rapid Space Science Initiative program needs.
Meet the Winners
Ecoatoms
Hardware for Extraction and Reagent Mixing in Experimental Studies (HERMES)
Shortfall: General-Purpose Robotic Manipulation to Perform Human-Scale Logistics, Maintenance, Outfitting, and Utilization
The HERMES automated genetic material extraction solution for diverse biological samples was developed by Ecoatoms to reduce astronaut time spent on research and development procedures. This innovation advances human-scale logistics and utilization in space, reducing significant costs and allowing astronauts to focus on critical missions while automation handles complex laboratory tasks with precision and consistency.
Learn more about the Ecoatoms HERMES solution about Hardware for Extraction and Reagent Mixing in Experimental Studies (HERMES)
Helogen Corporation
Cellular Experiment Laboratory System (CELS)
Shortfall: In-situ Sample Preparation Capabilities
The CELS technology is an autonomous biological payload developed by Helogen Corporation to enable sample handling and preparation for in-orbit analysis. This technology focuses on ensuring high-quality biological experimentation comparable with state-of-the-art ground-based research. It is designed for suborbital, hosted orbital, commercial low Earth orbit destination, and CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) use.
›› View the Helogen application video
SpaceWorks Enterprises, Inc.
High-Cadence Microgravity Silicon Semiconductor Crystal Manufacturing
Shortfall: In-Space and On-Surface Manufacturing of Parts/Products from Surface and Terrestrial Feedstocks
Commercial Orbital System for Microgravity In-Space Crystallization (COSMIC) is a prototype processing and re-entry system that can be hosted on readily available commercial orbital platforms. The re-entry vehicle is engineered for high-cadence payload return of materials manufactured in space. The recoverable COSMIC payload aims to enable high-temperature silicon crystal growth in microgravity and support scalable, low-cost in-space manufacturing.
›› View the SpaceWorks application video
The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) e5 Lab
Mars Atmospheric Reactor for Synthesis of Consumables (MARS-C)
Shortfall: Produce Propellants and Mission Consumables from Extracted In-situ Resources
The e5 Lab’s MARS-C provides an electrochemical in-situ resources utilization (ISRU) approach to producing oxygen, hydrogen, and C1 and C2 hydrocarbons at Martian temperatures and pressures. Using water with dissolved and suspended minerals from the Martian regolith and atmospheric carbon dioxide may enable simultaneous electrolysis of the brine and gas to produce hydrocarbons and oxygen on Mars.
›› View the UTSA application video
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