ARLINGTON, Va. — The Air & Space Forces Association’s StellarXplorers program announced that 375 teams have registered for the 11th season of its National Space Design Competition, a record-shattering number of teams and a 25 percent increase over the 2023-2024 competition year.
This year’s teams represent 34 states around the nation, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Department of Defense schools in Germany and Spain, and Canada. A map of registered teams is available for viewing here. The first qualification round of the season will be held October 31 – November 3.
Throughout a series of online rounds, teams will be tasked with solving real-world orbit planning, satellite design, and launch operation missions. The top 10 teams from the online rounds earn an all-expenses-paid trip to Denver, Colo., for the National Finals Competition set for April 23-25, 2025. There, students will have the opportunity to compete for national honors and scholarships, as well as network with industry professionals.
“We are thrilled with the number of teams participating in this year’s StellarXplorers competition,” said Rebecca Dalton, StellarXplorers’ Director. “This remarkable turnout reflects the growing interest in space exploration and STEM education, and we can’t wait to witness the creativity and innovation these young minds will bring to the challenge.”
StellarXplorers is generously supported by Air and Space STEM Outreach, L3Harris Technologies, Lockheed Martin, United Launch Alliance, the Bahethi Family Foundation and SSAI, BlueHalo, BAE Systems, and General Atomics Sciences Education Foundation. Educational support is provided by Ansys and Nova Space, Inc.
About StellarXplorers
The StellarXplorers Space STEM Program, created by the Air & Space Forces Association (AFA), inspires K-12 students toward careers in aerospace, aviation, and other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines critical to our nation’s future. The StellarXplorers National Space Design Competition provides specific training in the use of system simulation software, Systems Tool Kit (STK), as well as an online textbook as a curriculum supplement and study resource for online “team” quizzes given during the competition. For more information, visit www.stellarxplorers.org
About AFA
The Air & Space Forces Association is an independent, non-profit 501(c)3 association dedicated to advocating for investment and support for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force, and for supporting Airmen, Guardians, and their Families. Founded in 1946, AFA is the single largest entity of its kind focused on air and space power. With more than 120,000 members and 200 chapters spread around the world, our mission is to promote dominant U.S. Air and Space Forces as the foundation of a strong National Defense; to honor and support Airmen, Guardians, and their Families; and to remember and respect the enduring heritage of the Air and Space Forces.